Catboy
Written in collaboration with his students in a Toronto-based school, this story is about a boy named Taylor who has moved from a small town in Ontario to the big city of Toronto. On his way home from school with a new friend, he discovers a cat colony in a junkyard and takes an interest […]
Small in the City
Small in the City by the award-winning illustrator, Sydney Smith, follows a young person venturing out in an urban environment, providing advice to someone on how to stay safe – including suggestions on the safe passages, places to avoid, the kind people, and the good spots to warm up. The book has a twist ending […]
What Pet Should I Get?
There’s something about a Dr. Seuss book that is special. Maybe it’s the whimsical creatures, maybe it’s the rhyming pattern; whatever it might be, it’s undeniable that Dr. Seuss has written some of the most memorable children’s books ever. In 2013, years after he passed, his wife Audrey found a box containing materials for various […]
Norman, Speak!
Norman, Speak! is a story about a boy and his family who adopt a dog named Norman from their local animal shelter. After bringing Norman home and trying to teach him cues, they discover that Norman doesn’t respond to them, or even to his own name. One day, while playing at the park with another […]
Ivan: The Remarkable True story of a Shopping Mall Gorilla
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate chronicles the true story of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who was captured as a baby and placed in a shopping mall. For twenty-seven years, Ivan spent all his days in captivity inside the mall. It wasn’t until concerned citizens began to work […]
Jasper’s Day
Jasper’s Day is a story about a golden retriever, Jasper, whose family is giving him one special day before putting him down. The story is told through the eyes of Riley, a young boy who knows his family is doing the right thing by not letting Jasper suffer any longer, but also knows that it […]
Always Blue for Chicu
Always Blue of Chicu tells the story of a wild parrot that is captured by smugglers and is taken to sea by a kind sailor. When the sailor has to return to his ship, he must give Chicu up. Chicu’s life is then spent with a variety of caregivers who do not know much about […]
Dogku
When a homeless dog shows up at the back door, a family takes him in, feeds and bathes him, and names him. Written entirely in haiku, the pet experience is a clever, fun introduction to the poetic form and an engaging lead-in to a class writing exercise, while students learn about the responsibilities of caring […]
C’mere Boy
Dog wants his very own boy. Even though Mama warns him that a boy takes a lot of work, Dog is determined to find the perfect boy for him – and wonders if boy will be hard to train? This humorous story discusses responsible pet care – with a twist of perspective. Why use this […]
A Home for Dakota
Dog No. 241, from a puppy mill breeding operation is rescued and taken to a warm, secure foster home. She is eventually renamed Dakota and learns to love and trust. A new challenge arrives when Dakota is adopted by a family with a little girl, Sweetie, who is also undergoing recovery. Dakota and Sweetie learn from and […]