In Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant's classic bestseller, the author comforts readers young and old who have lost a dog. Recommended highly by pet l...
read full description
reviews
Apr 08, 2011
Kristen
rated it: 
This book raises more questions than it answers. Why does god hate children so much he murders them just to keep his dogs company? And even in heaven why can't a dog get a milkbone without having to sit and beg for it? In dog heaven dogs still have to submit to people? That's not right, what type of shitty dog heaven is that? This is precisely why Cats Have No Lord.
10 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Oct 08, 2011
Megan
rated it: 
I only cry when something really moves me. By the second page tears were rolling down my cheeks.
Rylant takes on the intimidating task of illustrating Heaven and God. How do you do that??? Well, I believe she found the perfect solution. She choose a purely imaginative way, in a way that a child would picture it. Most children view the world as consisting only of where they've been themselves- for example their own neighborhood. A child would probably imagine Heaven as just a better v More...
Rylant takes on the intimidating task of illustrating Heaven and God. How do you do that??? Well, I believe she found the perfect solution. She choose a purely imaginative way, in a way that a child would picture it. Most children view the world as consisting only of where they've been themselves- for example their own neighborhood. A child would probably imagine Heaven as just a better v More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 30, 2010
This book is focused on grieving a the lost of a dog, but can be translated into the lost of any family pet or even family member. I personal relate to this book, but I rescue and have my own personal dogs, therefore lost is something I must deal with whether it be death or adoption. I know this book does not necessarily have any social studies context outside of death relating to the population, but I still feel it would be useful in context of a social studies history lesson. Throughout histor
More...
Aug 26, 2008
Suede
rated it:
When our beloved mess of a dog died, this is what our vet sent us. 5 stars for the vet, 5 stars for that limpy dog of ours, and 5 stars for this book. Gave us a really great cry, fond thoughts and loud laughs of the big ol' lug of a one legged dog that was part of our family, and peace knowing that he's a pimp now, struttin' his stuff with a lotta bitches and fat healthy legs (the pimp cane is fo' show.) You go Turk!
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Aug 04, 2009
Josiah
rated it:
"Dog Heaven" represents Cynthia Rylant's debut as a picture book illustrator, and I must say that I like it. Her somewhat visceral pictures do a good job of only slightly displaying Dog Heaven for how it looks, leaving the rest of the picture up to the fertile mind of the young reader.
My advice for reading this book is to immerse oneself in the total feel of the story, letting it wrap around oneself while really giving up one's mind to the lovely ideas that Cynthia Rylant s More...
My advice for reading this book is to immerse oneself in the total feel of the story, letting it wrap around oneself while really giving up one's mind to the lovely ideas that Cynthia Rylant s More...
Sep 20, 2011
Christi
rated it:
My 9-year-old daughter's teacher loaned this to us after we made the difficult decision to put our beloved yellow lab, Morgan, to sleep. The sentiments expressed in this book echo exactly my hopes for dog heaven.
You are never too old for a good picture book, and this is a very, very good picture book. Even though my daughter is just about too old for picture books, I might purchase a copy of this one so she can revisit it whenever she misses Morgan and for the unavoidable day when our More...
You are never too old for a good picture book, and this is a very, very good picture book. Even though my daughter is just about too old for picture books, I might purchase a copy of this one so she can revisit it whenever she misses Morgan and for the unavoidable day when our More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 20, 2011
Vera
rated it: 
We got this book for our three year old, when our dog died. Okay, it freaked me out, and although my daughter loved it, I eventually hid it away. It says that God fills Dog Heaven with children so they can play with the dogs. What?! God kills children so dogs will have someone to play with in Heaven? How do I explain how those children got into Dog Heaven and what they're doing there? Also, it says your dog comes back down at night to check on you... freaky. The rest of the book was sweet, a
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 11, 2011
Madi
rated it:
When my aunts dog died I cried so hard he had been put to sleep after 2 years I read this book and I still remember it because it was yesterday and it will always feel like that but this made me cry the 1st page and we gave it to her.This book illustrates that the dog now has a better life in heaven and is doing great I love this book and the meaning it helped me grieve wise.And this is my first death so I took it hard and it made me feel a ounce bit better about understanding.The rest is a mess
More...
Apr 10, 2011
Rebecca
rated it: 
I would never read this book in the classroom as it talks about it God. It is a good story, but its not appropriate for school ground rules. However, I would love to put this book is the church library. The pictures are fun to look at since it talks about dog's heaven. Through this book, the reader can reflect on how the heaven is made, so it will be a good book to have director discussion.
Mar 01, 2011
Marissa
rated it:
Summary:
This book shares with the reader what it is like in dog heaven. Dog heaven is a place where all dogs are good and they live a wonderful life with everything taken care of.
Thoughts:
This book was cute. I enjoyed the light heartedness and the sense of humor. This book would be great for young children needing to deal with a death of their pet dog as it can be a means of reassurance.
This book shares with the reader what it is like in dog heaven. Dog heaven is a place where all dogs are good and they live a wonderful life with everything taken care of.
Thoughts:
This book was cute. I enjoyed the light heartedness and the sense of humor. This book would be great for young children needing to deal with a death of their pet dog as it can be a means of reassurance.
Jul 04, 2010
Laura
rated it:
Absolutely loved it. I was age 30 when my dog Max had to go to God. To be honest, I really don't know if I believe animals have souls and experience an afterlife. On the otherhand, when I was full of grief, reading "Dog Heaven" helped a lot. It helped me see things from the author's POV, and wonder, "What's Max doing up there now?" Also, beautifully illustrated. I've reread sevearal times.
Dec 07, 2010
Amanda
rated it:
Great writing style. This book is bittersweet, as dog heaven sounds like a wonderful place for dogs to go, but these are all dogs who have left their owners on earth. I think it would be good for children who have a dog who has died. The pictures are also drawn by Rylant and look like children's drawings. They are a nice touch to the book.
Apr 25, 2011
The Reading Countess
rated it:
Marked as read to youngest and recommended to oldest son to read simply because of the tear-filled eyes he had after being told there will be no animals in heaven after coming back from Bible study, Rylant's simple yet effective broad paintstrokes illustrate a story all children long to hear: good dogs go to heaven.
Aug 12, 2009
Jeanette
rated it:
This is a beautifully illustrated story that tells children what dogs do in heaven until they're "at the door" when "old friends show up". I've bought this book for family and friends when their beloved dog dies and I highly recommend it to those people who think all dogs can go to heaven.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 08, 2009
Dawn
rated it:
Beautiful picture book that deals with what happens when a dog dies. It talks about all the fun things dogs get to do in dog heaven, the wonderful sofas to sleep on, special treats always available, angels to pet them...a sweet book covering a potentially scary topic for small children.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 05, 2010
Cornelius
rated it:
If you are dog fan, this book will touch you. The book is about grieving the lost of a dog. I would use this book in the classroom for children who lost a family pet, but also family members because the book illustrates a happy hearted conclusion to death and grieving.
Dec 15, 2011
Diane
rated it:
This sweet but sad book is for people who have just lost a pet. It was given to me by a good friend two days after I lost Skweebie-dog to cancer and I was so sad. It was emotional to read yet healing at the same time.
Dec 05, 2010
Amy
rated it:
This is a great book - I used it as part of my author study on Cynthia Rylant to show how her words lead to great images. This was the first book I used and students really liked it, even though they were older!
Nov 07, 2011
Sebin
rated it:
I personally like this book but it might not be appropriate for school because of religious reasons. Rylant tackles the difficult subject of Heaven and God but uses imagination so children can relate to it.
Jul 29, 2011
Sara
rated it:
on having to put down our 13yr old lab mix, Baruch, our vet, a true healer, Kay Brown, gave us this lovely book. i highly recommend it as a comfort to children and adults saying good bye to a beloved pet!
Jul 29, 2010
Angela
rated it:
Cynthia Rylant captures a dog's personality in a wonderful place, and adds a smiling, knowing God to the picture. Good to open dialogue for adults on their imaginings of what heaven might be like for them.
Jan 17, 2011
Kami
rated it:
This is a wonderful book for dog lovers or anyone who has lost a dog. I almost cried during this book. It was so cute. The illustrations weren't anything special, but the story is wonderful!
Jun 28, 2011
Lori
rated it:
Lovely image, both painted and written. God is referred to more than I would really like. However, I liked the sweetness and comfort. My aunt liked getting it. I liked getting it, too.
Sep 06, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
When asked by students " where do dogs go when they die" here is your reply...all dogs go to heaven as Ms. Rylant puts it and there are angels there that love and take care of those dogs.
Oct 25, 2009
Dayna
rated it:
I probably would have liked this book more if I were a dog lover, but I'm not and never have been. Also, Rylant illustrated this one, and I'm fan of her writing but not her artwork.
Sep 13, 2009
Laura
rated it:
This is one of the best books that I have come across on the death of a pet. I give it to families that I know are dealing with the loss of a dog and have recommended it to my vet.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 21, 2009
This is a great book about what happens after your dog dies. It totally makes me choke up every time I read it. Plus, the illustrations are awesome. The god in the book is pretty funny. He looks like a farmer, which I guess dogs like.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 27, 2011
Tara
rated it:
I didn't like this book as well as cat heaven. This book didn't rhyme the same way the other one did. It would still be a good book for someone who has lost a dog.
Dec 05, 2009
Cdetwiler
rated it:
This had gotten our daughter through 2 losses...we bought it when she was Age 2+ then she just read it again for herself... Age11. It is such a comforting book.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 20, 2008
Rose Ann
rated it:
This wonderful book, with charming and colorful illustrations, is about just what it says -- Dog Heaven, where every dog has a name, every dog is loved and wanted, and beloved pets wait for their masters to join them. It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. If you have ever owned a dog, you will love this book.
Also, as a library worker, I have recommended this book to library patrons who are trying to explain the loss of a beloved pet to a child. It is actually a comforting More...
Also, as a library worker, I have recommended this book to library patrons who are trying to explain the loss of a beloved pet to a child. It is actually a comforting More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
