Reading brings us so much joy; we formed book clubs out of them to read with our best friends and talk about our books. There is nothing quite like reading with someone you love, but who says that has to be someone human? Our dog friends love reading with us, too. It has also been proven that dogs understand the meaning of our words. What better way to see that than to read with them? These are five unique books to read with your dog.
A Day in the Life of Your Dog by Diana Feliciano
The first book on the list is A Day in the Life of Your Dog, written by Diana Feliciano. It was published in 2023 by Charlie and Diana. This is Diana’s only book, but who needs anything more than a sensory board? Though the book is on Amazon and often goes out of stock, it is always expected to return. You can still buy the book through Charlie and Diana’s official website.
This interactive book is unique and sure to keep your dogs engaged. This is more than a book; it is a dog sensory board. Each page is a different sensory board, from squishy toys that can be crushed and ripped to smells of fur that can be smelled, the sky’s the limit — the perfect bonding time with your best dog friend.
Read This Book to Your Dog: An Interactive Book for a Dog and Their Human by Ann Knipp
Another interactive book on this list is Read This Book to Your Dog: An Interactive Book for a Dog and Their Human. It was written by Ann Knipp, who writes books for dogs and many educational children’s books. It was published in 2018 by Schmook Books and is another book that sells out quickly. It is only available on Amazon, to buy online, but you can buy the book at various book thrift stores. It was part of a program offered by Schmook Books called “Road to 1000 Stories,” where authors wrote unconventional family books for fun.
Unlike the last one, this is an actual story designed for dogs. The author used specific keywords and phonics for the dogs to hear and understand. Keep a bag of treats nearby as it offers multiple prompts to give to your good boy/girl. Dogs will love this story, offering a perfect routine and bonding experience.
Chew This Journal: An Activity Book for You and Your Dog by Sassafras Lowrey
Chew This Journal: An Activity Book for You and Your Dog is another creative book to read with your dog. Playing off the popular human version, Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith, the author of Chew This Journal, Sassafras Lowrey, writes an activity book full of fun for you and your dog. Sassafras Lowrey has many other books, surround queer identiy, and even has a cat version of the journal called Claw This Journal. It was published in 2020 by TMA Press. This activity book is necessary to enrich your dog’s life.
Chew This Journal includes so many great activities in which to participate. It contains how-to instructions on creating your at-home dog toys and no-sew beds. Not only that, but there is paw-painting, and treat puzzles to create. These activities are perfect for bonding, but the content doesn’t end there. The book also helps humans be more engaged in their dogs’ lives, like staying off the phone when walking, and offers unique training lessons. With challenges to check your progress, neither you nor your dog will get bored with this.
Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know by Jeff Johnson
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the mind of your dog? Well, now you can with Jeff Johnson’s book Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know. Jeff Johnson doesn’t have many other books, but they are all guidebooks to life and perfect if you’re feeling lost. As creative as the book is, it is only available online through Amazon, but is often seen at book thrift stores. It was published in 2012 by Sourcebooks and is perfect to read with your dog and think: “Is this really what you’re thinking?”
The dogs only want you to think that Jeff Johnson wrote this, but it was the dogs. The story is told from the dog’s perspective, letting us in on a few secrets they hide from us. Like that, they are not as spoiled as teenage girls, and they know when they are being cute. The brave dogs who helped write this song let us in on their manipulation tricks and what they think of their names. Reading this with your dog will get you in their head, but be careful: your dog might try to find these dog writers to expose their secrets.
Bedtime Stories for Good Dogs by Max Waters
Bedtime Stories for Good Dogs by Max Waters is the perfect book to end your nightly routine with your fluffy four-legged friends. Max Waters also writes many how-to craft books for children and short dog stories. It was written with your dogs in mind, combined with calming words and phonics to help your doggies get the best sleep. It was published in 2023 by Andrews McMeel Publishing, and is only available on Amazon, but is a part of Kindle Unlimited. The best part? It is tail-wagging approved!
The book comprises multiple original stories to help put your dog, and maybe yourself, to bed. With calming themes and witty, pawsome humor, your dog will love it, and even kids may love it, as it is suitable for any reading level. It is perfect for those zoomies champions and those who want to have another bonding experience with their pets. Not only that, but it is perfectly written for any dogs out there that may suffer from some anxiety and need an extra step to calm down before bed.
From interactive stories to activity books and bedtime stories, there is a book here for every dog lover out there wanting some extra time with their fuzzy friends. Though some of the books are harder to find, there are always book thrift stores that will carry them! Enjoy your special bonding with your cutest (and they know it) tail-wagging friends.
Want to see which motherbooks have dogs? Click here!
Want more book recs to read with friends or loved ones? Check our team’s Bookshop Rec List!
