May I Pet Your Dog?: The How-to Guide for Kids Meeting Dogs (and Dogs Meeting Kids)

by Stephanie Calmenson, Jan Ormerod (Illustrator)

Overview

Children encounter dogs wherever they go: in the park, on the sidewalk, at their friends’ homes. Sometimes it’s love at first sight, on both sides—but not always. The right way for a child to approach a dog to ensure that the first connection is a complete success begins with this question to the owner: “May I pet your dog?” Using Harry the dachshund as a gentle guide, Stephanie Calmenson addresses this valuable yet overlooked topic with care and precision, and Jan Ormerod’s warm illustrations portray a wide variety of breeds and personalities and depict situations that are realistic but never scary. Unique and straightforward, this is the essential guide to bringing children and dogs together—for kids and parents alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780618510344
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/16/2007
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	375,911
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 7.62(h) x 0.38(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Stephanie Calmenson is the highly acclaimed author of over 100 books for children. Her book shave been called “marvelous” (PW), “lyrical” (SLJ), and “right on the mark” (Booklist) and include May I Pet Your Dog? and the Ready, Set, Dogs! series. Visit her online at stephaniecalmenson.com
 

Jan Ormerod is the acclaimed illustrator of more than 50 books for children. She lives in England.

Editorial Reviews

"Dachshund Harry leads the youngest readers through every step of kid-meets-dog etiquette." Horn Book, Starred

"Straightforward guidelines and a positive, encouraging tone make this book appealing and practical." School Library Journal

"Children who are afraid of dogs, as well as those who love them, will find this volume useful and encouraging." Kirkus Reviews —

From the Publisher

Harry is a cheerful and friendly long-haired dachshund who serves as the first-person narrator for this thoughtful look at the best way for a child to meet dogs. In clear prose and simple sentences, Harry explains to a little boy how to approach an unfamiliar dog and its owner, always pausing to ask the owner if the dog can be petted before getting too close. As Harry and the boy meet other dogs and their owners, the child learns appropriate questions and actions that lead to making new canine friends, as well as what to do when a strange dog is unfriendly. The key questions from the child and answers from the owners are repeated in color-coded speech balloons within the simple watercolor illustrations, which show a variety of dog breeds, sizes and temperaments. An introductory note to adults and a concluding spread offers additional safety tips, and an author's note provides the story of the author's own dog, a rescued dachshund also named Harry. Children who are afraid of dogs, as well as those who love them, will find this volume useful and encouraging. (Picture book/nonfiction. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews