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Dog Lovers Book Club - July 2024




With the winter school holidays upon us, it's time to stock up on a new pile of great reads for yourself and the kids with a bumper selection in our Kids Corner this month.. You know, just in case that NBN connection fails yet again! Thankfully, books have always been there for us!

You can't beat snuggling under a warm blanket with your dogs for company so grab your favourite cuppa and enjoy this July 2024 selection of our Dog Lovers Book Club.

BUSTER: A DOG
by George Pelecanos

Ever wonder what goes one in the mind of a dog?
Buster: A Dog is the story of one dog's lifelong journey, as told by Buster himself.

Buster, a strong and proud Boxer, spends his early days with a loving family in a public housing complex in Washington, DC. Abruptly, he is taken away by an abusive, alcoholic man, plunging Buster into a challenging, nightmarish existence.

Over the course of his life, he will experience homelessness, tragedy, a harrowing stay in a kill shelter, and acts of kindness, including his adoption by an older gentleman grieving the death of his wife. At his peak, Buster lives with a young marijuana dealer who runs a profitable but dangerous business in the city. 

Along the way, Buster befriends other dogs and witnesses the best and worst aspects of humanity. As the seasons change, and change again, he begins to understand the finality of existence and in turn learns to appreciate the gift of life.

Hardcover, 88 pages
Publisher: ‎
Akashic Books Limited, 1st edition, 18 July 2024

Price: $32.95 (available for pre-order) at www.amazon.com.au

THE OTHER FAMILY DOCTOR
A Veterinarian Explores What Animals Can Teach Us About Love, Life, and Mortality

by Karen Fine, DVM

Karen Fine always knew that she wanted to be a vet and wasn't going to let anything stop her- not her allergy to cats, and not the fact that in the '80s veterinary medicine was still a mostly male profession. 

Inspired by her grandfather, a compassionate doctor who paid house calls to all his (human) patients, Dr. Fine persevered, and brought her Oupa's principles into her own practice, which emphasizes the need to understand her patients' stories to provide the best possible care.

And in The Other Family Doctor, Dr. Fine shares all these touching, joyful, heart-breaking, and life-affirming tales that make up her career as a vet. There's:

  • The feral cat who becomes a creature out of a fable when he puts his trust in a young vet to heal his injured paw.
  • The pot-bellied pig who grows too big to fit in the car but remains a cherished part of her family.
  • The surprising colony of perfectly behaved ferrets.
  • The beloved aging pet who gives her people the gift of accompanying them on one final family vacation.

The dog who saves his owner's life in a most unexpected way

Woven into Dr. Fine's story are of course, also the stories of her own pets - the birds, cats, and dogs who have taught her the most valuable lessons - how caring for the animals in our lives can teach us to better care for ourselves, especially when life seems precarious.

Paperback, ‎304 pages
Publisher: ‎Knopf US, 9th April 2024


Price: $28.30 at www.amazon.com.au 

THE NEW COMPLETE DOG BOOK
Official Breed Standards and Profiles for Over 200 Breeds
(23rd Edition)
by American Kennel Club

The American Kennel Club
(AKC) is known for having the first and last word as the official source for all things dog related, and The New Complete Dog Book, 23rd Edition is the AKC’s “Bible” of dog books that is trusted by veterinary schools, dog training professionals, groomers, breeders, and owners. For the past 88 years, it has been the ultimate breed resource—the one book that no purebred dog aficionado and expert can live without. With over two million copies sold, this guide is also the longest continually published dog book in history.

This revised and updated 23rd edition contains new American Kennel Club initiatives and programs, recently recognised dog breeds that have been added to the seven main groups, revised breed standards, and changes in breed classifications. 

Dog owners, breeders, and clubs will find the most current information here on AKC registration, competitive events, and programs. A celebration of every breed of dog recognised by the American Kennel Club, this newly updated edition is a must-have that belongs in every dog enthusiast’s and professional’s library.

Hardcover‏,‎ 992 pages
Publisher: ‎ Companion House; 23rd edition, 19th June 2024


Price: $74.13 at www.amazon.com.au

YOUR DOG IS YOUR MIRROR
The Emotional Capacity of Our Dogs and Ourselves

by Kevin Behan

In Your Dog Is Your Mirror, dog trainer Kevin Behan proposes a radical new model for understanding canine behaviour: a dog’s behaviour and emotion, indeed its very cognition, are driven by our emotion. 

The dog doesn’t respond to what the owner thinks, says, or does; it responds to what the owner feels. And in this way, dogs can actually put people back in touch with their own emotions. 

Behan demonstrates that dogs and humans are connected more profoundly than has ever been imagined; by heart; and that this approach to dog cognition can help us understand many of dogs’ most inscrutable behaviours. 

This ground-breaking, provocative book opens the door to a whole new understanding between species, and perhaps a whole new understanding of ourselves.

Paperback, ‏246 pages
Publisher:‎ New World Library, 14th August 2022
 
Price: $30.34 at www.fishpond.com.au 

HEADS & TAILS
A Dog Memory Game: Match Up Iconic Dogs

by Marta Zafra (Illustrator)

Unleash your memory skills with this illustrated dog memory deck.

Get ready to test your memory and your love for human's best friend with our new deck of memory cards featuring adorable illustrations of dogs!


Featuring 30 dog breeds across 60 beautifully illustrated cards, it's your job to match the head and tail of each furry friend.

Perfect for dog lovers of all ages, this deck of memory cards is both entertaining and challenging. Whether you're playing solo or with a group, our dog-themed memory cards will provide hours of fun and help improve your memory skills. With charming illustrations, this deck makes a great gift for any dog enthusiast or anyone looking for a fun and engaging game to play with friends and family. You'll have a barking good time!

Game, 60 memory cards
Publisher: Smith Street Books, 30th January 2024


Price: $18.95 from www.booktopia.com.au

BOOK CLUB – KIDS CORNER

SCOUT AND THE RESCUE DOGS
by Dianne WolferTony Flowers (Illustrator)

A celebration of community, adventure, kindness and, above all, dogs!

The summer holidays have finally arrived and Scout can’t wait for her adventure in the big rig with Dad. They’re on a mission to deliver donations of dog food to animal rescue shelters right across the state.


There’ll be lots of music, dad-jokes and a brilliant plan that will make sure everyone’s got a friend for the holidays. There might even be a special four-legged friend in it for Scout.

But Scout and her dad get more than they’ve bargained for. It’s bushfire season – and it’s not just the dogs who need rescuing...

Winner of Children's Book of the Year category, 2024 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.


Paperback, 224 pages
Publisher: Walker Books Australia, 6th June 2023
For Ages: 9 - 12 years old


Price: $13.85 from www.amazon.com.au

DOGS TO THE RESCUE

by Lucas Riera, Grace Helmer (Illustrator)

True stories of 19 inspirational 'dogs with jobs'. Learn how dogs can help us in many ways: they can be assistance dogs, firefighters, rescuers, carers, companions to the elderly...

Dogs are more than just members of our families and faithful companions - they can be heroes too!


Not only are dogs incredibly cute, they are also really clever with different breeds having unique traits that can be very helpful in risky situations. This book is a tribute to the abilities that dogs have to help us, and the 19 amazing stories of inspirational doggy heroes are perfect for young readers.

Written in collaboration with the Affinity Foundation (France & Spain), an organisation focussing on helping abandoned pets and raising awareness about how great an impact pets have on humans, each of the brave dogs covered is even more impressive than the last.

You'll read about: 
✔️ Dogs who help the elderly, unhoused people and people learning hard lessons in prisons by offering their canine compassion. 
✔️ Working dogs who are part of the police department, fire brigade, and mountain rescue.

These ordinary dogs doing extraordinary things can teach a lesson to us all!

Hardcover, 48 pages
Publisher: Welbeck Publishing, 24th October 2023
For Ages: 8+ years old


Price: $21.95 from www.booktopia.com.au

EVERYTHING DOGS
Canine Facts, Photos and Fun to Get Your Paws On!

by National Geographic Kids

Full of facts for every young dog lover.


Playful pups, furry friends, cute companions! It’s time to learn everything about dogs.

Packed with facts and photos, it’s ideal for kids who want to learn about different breeds, brush up on their doggy communication skills and anyone who simply loves all things canine!

✔️ Colourful photography and illustration
✔️ Hundreds of interesting facts
✔️ Quizzes, interactive glossary and more!

Paperback, 64 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, 27th February 2023
For Ages: 7+ years old


Price: $13.26 at www.amazon.com.au

DOG'S GUIDE TO HELPING OTHERS
Healthy Habits
by Lisa Edwards, Sian Roberts (Illustrator)

Mum is teaching her puppies how to be helpful and they are learning how to share, how to have good manners, how to be tidy and more. 

This book follows the story of the dog family as the puppies grow, but it provides lots of advice on behaviour for its human readers. 

For children progressing through book bands, the book is suitable for children reading at book band 7: Turquoise.

The Healthy Habits series for children aged 4 plus, features key information about how to stay healthy in mind and body, simply told and bought to life through a relatable animal guide and bright and gently humorous illustrations. 

The books have lots of good advice for human children and a little bit of learning about the animal world, to keep things interesting for young animal lovers.

Paperback, 32 pages
Publisher: Hachette Children's Books, 25th January 2023
For Ages: 5 - 7 years old


Price: $18.95 from www.booktopia.com.au

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOGS: BY A. CAT
by Fred Blunt (Author)

A laugh-out-loud picture book about dogs, written from the perspective of a self-assured cat. This is another fun and sassy picture book from author/illustrator Fred Blunt.

This time, he's focusing on the age-old question: are you a cat person or a dog person?

The cat telling this story is on a mission to convince us that cats are best, by pointing out that dogs stink, they slobber, and they enjoy rolling around in cow poop... 

But when the cat narrator meets a scary BIG CAT, a group of loyal local dogs come to the cat's rescue. Will our cat finally accept that dogs can be clever, too?

Dogs are STUPID.
The End.
Oh. You're still here?
Fine, I'll prove it...



This picture book will have adults and children alike laughing out loud. And whether you're a dog lover or a cat lover, everyone will love the heart-warming ending.

Hardcover‏, ‎ 32 pages
Publisher: ‎ Happy Yak, 9th July 2024
For Ages: 4-6 years old


Price: $17.27 (available for pre-order) at www.amazon.com.au

THE DOG WHO DANCED ON THE MOON
by John Boyne, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay 

There once was a boy called Jeremy Grace

Who had a remarkable interest in space.
He was quiet and shy, very often alone,
Just him and his dog, spending time on their own.

Jeremy dreams of journeying through space, but nobody believes in him... Nobody, that is, but Maxwell, his incredible dancing dog who encourages him to reach for the stars. The pair embark on an out-of-this-world adventure - but when they are faced with an incoming comet catastrophe, it takes bravery, daring and a little bit of dancing to save the day.

Heart-warming and inspirational with a touch of magic, this read-aloud rhyming picture-book story encourages children to follow their dreams.

This is the picture book debut from John Boyne, the author of the globally bestselling, multi-million-copy classic, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. The illustrations are by award-winning rising star Ashling Lindsay.

Paperback, 32 pages
Publisher: Penguin Children’s Book, Imprint: Puffin, 2nd July 2024


Price: $12.92 at www.amazon.com.au

ROY IS NOT A DOG
by Esmé Shapiro, Daniel Newell Kaufman 

Take a ride down Lilypod Lane with Weasel and Pam Pam as they try to solve a mystery in their neighbourhood in this hilariously fetching picture book: could their peculiar neighbour actually be a dog in disguise?

On Lilypod Lane, everyone knows everything about everybody . . . or so they believe! When curious paperboy Weasel encounters his mysterious neighbour Roy on his route, he becomes convinced that Roy is actually a dog! 

But when his friend Pam Pam disagrees, Weasel must put on his detective cap and do his best sleuthing to reveal Roy's extraordinary secret, and prove that not everything is as it seems, once and for all!

An endearingly offbeat picture book that celebrates neighbours and neighbourhoods, Roy Is Not a Dog delivers laughs and lessons about accepting others for who they are as well as the risks and rewards of showing your true self.

Hardcover, 48 pages
Publisher : ‎ Tundra Books (NY), 23d April 2024
For Ages: ‎ 4 - 8 years old


Price: $43.39 at www.amazon.com.au

A CAT CALLED Q AND THE MAGIC GLOBE
by Melody Horrill, illustrated by Angelique Smelt 

When Sheri shakes a mysterious-looking snow globe she discovers in a charity shop, her whole world is turned upside down when she suddenly finds herself inside it, along with her best friend Shawn. 

Once in this strange new realm, she embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue a spellbound land and its weird and wonderful creatures from destruction. Luckily, a majestic, mischievous, sandwich-loving magical cat comes to her aid.

A Cat called Q and the Magic Globe is an enchanting fantasy about the importance of believing in ourselves, being brave, caring for the natural world and embracing our connection to it. It also serves as reminder that magic really does exist in nature, and love can heal and restore everything.


Paperback, 293 pages. Also available as eBook.
Publisher: 12 Willows Press, available from 15th July 2024 (pre-order now).

For more information, visit www.melodyhorrill.com/a-cat-called-q

Love our feline friends as much as your dog(s)? Then head over to check the latest selection of our Cat Lovers Book Club
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