May I Pet Your Dog?: The How-to Guide for Kids Meeting Dogs (and Dogs Meeting Kids) – A Warm, Gentle Book About Making Friends for Children

by Stephanie Calmenson, Jan Ormerod (Illustrator)

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Nonfiction, Childrens, Animals, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 2007

About the author

Stephanie Calmenson's many popular titles include concept books, funny school stories, poetry collections, books about dogs and, with Magic School Bus author Joanna Cole, anthologies and beginning reader chapter books.

Stephanie's books have been called "marvelous" (PW), "lyrical" (SLJ), "hilarious" (SLJ), "sweet, funny, and right on the mark" (Booklist).

Before turning to writing, Stephanie was a teacher, a children's book editor, and Editorial Director of Parents Magazine's Read-Aloud Book Club.

Website: my link text

Reviews

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder for readers of all ages that dogs have feelings - just like people, and that personal space is just as important for canines as it is for humans. With cameos by real dogs at the end of the book, this is a title to reference and reread for a crash course in canine etiquette.

[Cara Achterberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for teaching safe interaction with dogs. Important for kids of all ages.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute and informative. The children's librarian brought this book out for our read-to-a-therapy-dog event and I think it was really helpful because some of the kids treat the living dogs like they're just oversized stuffed animals (i.e. subjecting them to a lot of abuse) while the parents just stand by and watch. It was a nice touch to have the book narrated from the dog's point of view, although the part where Harry "spins" cracked me and my coworker up because surely there was a better way to depict that action than making it look like the poor dachshund had been tied to a rapidly-spinning carousel 😂

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told by a dachshund named Harry. He teaches a little boy in the story about being safe when going up to pet a dog and the signs to look for when you should stay away. This guide is a good reminder for everyone on dog etiquette and personal space. I would use this story as a read aloud for elementary students. Our school has a therapy dog in the speech room so our speech teacher read this book to each class.

[Taylor Christensen]

This book is great for educating children on safety and manners around dogs. The book also from the dogs point of view, letting children know how to ask their owners to pet them, where and how they like to be pet, and what may scare them. I feel like the book being in the dogs point of view might make it easier for young children to understand why we ask to pet dogs and why we must be gentle as well.

[Katie Baron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a book that everyone should read. It's all about the proper way to approach a dog - any dog, whether they are a pet, a therapy dog, service dog, whatever.
📚
Don't have a dog? You still need this book, especially if you have kids. Not only does this book very clearly show how to ask to pet and how to approach a dog, but you'll also be able to talk about the fact that not all dogs are friendly and some should not be approached.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to read to your kids who always want to go up to other dogs and pet them. The only issue I have with the book is that the boy doesn't start by asking his parents if he is allowed to pet the pet first before going to the dogs owner. Grant it the boy didn't have his parents there, but the dog that was helping him should have said did you ask your parents first. Something like that.

[Kelly Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and excellent. This is an easy to understand , storytelling way to teach kids how to approach dogs. It’s been valuable for me, as a Mom, to use as a guide for teaching my son about dogs.

[Elizabeth]

If anyone has a dog in need of petting, I'm ready! Long-haired fluffy puppers, do please apply.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific resource to teach children (and adults) about dog safety and the correct way to meet and treat them. The illustrations are fantastic; realistic.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really clear and informative book that teaches children how to safely interact with dogs.

[Gail Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written for children to understand meeting new dogs.
The author understands how children think.
Illustrations were helpful, too.
A keeper to read again and again.

[Christine Turner]

ATA Wonder Kit -- Safety, pets,?


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, andJan 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.

Note: Veterinary Program?



Subject: Dogs -- Juvenile fiction
Pets -- Juvenile fiction
Friendship -- Juvenile fiction
Accidents -- Prevention -- Juvenile fiction.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought because a) our son is out of control excited around dogs, and b) Jan Ormerod. It's pretty good as a didactic resource, but it's hard to read aloud because of all the different voices. It's hard for a toddler to understand that the main voice is of the dog when it keeps switching to the boy and owners, in speech bubbles no less. The educational content it delivers is excellent, however. It's also uber American. The dog talks like a Californian. I have to rephrase slightly while I read which is annoying. We read this at 23 months but it would be better for preschoolers, who would probably make it to the end, whereas we rarely get past Twigs.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a pet person, chances are, you've seen children behaving in ways with animals that could get them, or the animals, seriously hurt. Their parents seem completely oblivious to the dangers of things like just running up to a dog and embracing him or squealing and running around off-leash dogs.

Just the same, I'm sure you've encountered parents who know about animal safety and instruct their kids on the proper way to greet and behave around pets.

So, this book is an educational resource for both parents and children. The simple book emphasizes both listening to the owner and reading the dog's body language before approaching a dog.

[Suzie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good quality hardback book. The illustrations are sweet and the text is gentle and fun to read.

This book isn’t aimed specifically at children scared of dogs but has lots of dog-meeting etiquette and general good advice on how to approach a dog, which would also be good if your child was too eager to cuddle animals they were unfamiliar with.

My grandson was very interested in the book and, even after several reads with me, he took it to his Mum to read yet again.

This book is a clear winner.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three adorable dogs and plenty of vicarious petting cleverly disguise the delivery of essential, clearly stated instructions for dealing with dogs — friendly and otherwise. If only instruction manuals were all so thrilling.

Listen to our chat about May I Pet Your Dog? on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2007/1...

[Pam Cipkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straightforward and to the point explanation for kids on how to approach and pet a dog. Explains the dos and don'ts and shows how different dogs may react in different ways to someone approaching and petting them. Also addresses dogs in cars and working dogs. The nuts and bolts of this book are very good, but the illustrations could have been a little better, and I didn't like the "hey, I'm the author and I'm going to make my dog a celebrity by putting him in this book" angle.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book teaches kids how to approach dogs (and when not to approach them!). My son has become a bit wary of dogs lately, so this book was just right for him. It would also be perfect for kids who get a little too excited about them.

Now someone please give me a book that will help him treat our cat nicer. :)

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book every parent/caregiver and child should read together! Harry is a Dachshund who loves to meet new people. But he's also careful to teach each child he encounters how to ask an owner/handler if they may pet their dog. Harry also continues by instructing the child how to correctly approach a dog.

A must have for any library with a children's section.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book presents good, basic, helpful information for approaching (or not approaching) unknown dogs, there's a little too much information for most young readers. The main points are repeated sufficiently, but so much extra information crops up that it can be confusing.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this non fiction book several times and I am getting a copy to read to children
and my grandchild. It really helps with kids fear of dogs and what to do when they
meet one they don't know. It was a winner in my book.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back Cover:
What's the best way to meet a dog and make friends? In this book, a dachshund named Harry shows you. Combining expertise and common sense, with an eye to both safety and fun,

Harry's advice begins with one simple rule: Always ask the owner, "May I pet your dog?"

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a dog owner, I really like this book. It is especially nice that it is told from the kid's perspective and that you are told how to do something, then shown how. Very good examples and ideas.

[LibraryLaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but nothing special.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

told from dog's point of view about how to approach and behave around dogs.

[Olivia]

Cute and informative!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sure learned some things! Next time I'll know to hold my hand out to a friendly dog, fingers down.

[Jennifer Ho · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute introductory book on how children should treat animals, particularly dogs.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative for kids who have never been around pets.