You cannot go wrong with a storytime about dogs. Even if a child doesn’t have a dog, he or she will "know" a dog who is a friend. Here are some new picture books starring dogs that you can read, along with the books listed in the October 1996 issue of BayNews.

A simple storytime craft idea is a stick puppet, which goes along with the Ezra Jack Keats’ classic, Whistle for Willie. Just xerox the accompanying dog cut-out, and stretch this dachshund with an accordian-folded strip of paper taped to the head and the tail pieces. Then tape a craft stick to each end, and you have a puppet.

• Feiffer, Jules. BARK, GEORGE.
  In this hilarious book, a dog visits the vet because he makes every animal sound except barking.

• Graham, Bob. BENNY: AN ADVENTURE STORY.
  Benny tires of being a magician’s assistant and goes in search of a family.

• Hurd, Thacher. ART DOG.
  Race car driving artist Art Dog helps to solve crimes in the big city.

• Masurel, Claire. TEN DOGS IN THE WINDOW.
  In this rhyming story, similar to "Ten In A Bed," dogs are purchased from the pet store window by people who resemble the dogs they choose.

• Pilkey, Dav. DOG BREATH.
  Hally Tosis, a dog with horrible green breath, helps catch two burglers.

June, 2000