WOOF or WUFF? --12 AMAZING BOOKS FOR KIDS IN GERMAN ABOUT DOGS

Don't all or almost all kids want a pet? And lots of them a dog. Maybe reading about dogs first helps. Dogs are cute, they are our loyal friends and protect us - lots of classics and newer books tell us all about that.

Big barking dogs, however, can also be scary to some and some newer books for kids in primary school tackle being afraid of dogs as well.

Either way, here are some amazing board books, picture books, beginning reader books, graphic novels and middle grade books in German- all about dogs!

Wieso Weshalb warum junior

MEIN HUND

Little Tim gets to pick a little puppy - and he and the reader in this non-fiction board book with lots of flaps learn all there is to know about puppies and dogs. How the puppies grows, what they need to learn, dogs' sense of smell, how they communicate, what they like and what not..

2 years and up

Chris Haughton

OH NEIN, PAUL!

Paul, a big pink dog, wants to do all to make his owner happy. He also is prone to cause a ruckus. When his owner leaves him alone with instructions, he has the very best intentions... But his self-control gets in his way.

Adorable colorful graphic illustrations and a main character many kids (and some adults?) very well relate to make this a great read.

3 years and up

Nadja

BLAUER HUND

Every evening Charlotte has a special visitor: a dog with marvelous blue hair and diamond-green eyes. She pets him and loves him. but her mother tells her she needs to stop this habit. But shortly thereafter Charlotte gets lost in the woods...

French classic picture book about dogs' loyalty.

3 years and up

Bette Westera / Noelle Smit

HALLO, TECKEL TOM!

Little Tom is a dachshund puppy, all snuggled up with his siblings and his mother in a box in their home. To his surprise he is separated from the others, put in a different box. And gets a new home. It is Sophie's birthday and her two dads have made her biggest wish come true: a dog.

Wonderful award winning picture book told from the eyes from a puppy.

3 years and up

Edward van den Vedel

DER HUND, DEN NINO NICHT HATTE

Nino has a dog that will always be at his side, live through adventures with him and understand him, unlike adults. Nino's dog is his invisible friend.

But then his parents grant Nino's biggest wish, and get him a dog. A real dog. And the real dog has limitations compared to his imaginary friend..

Award-winning picture book with a philosophical side.

5 years and up

Sebastian Meschenmoser

3 WUENSCHE FUER MOPSMANN

Some days just don't go well. Mopsmann is off to a bad start: he overslept, his cereal box is empty, he doesn't even have coffee in the house! To add to his misery, the newspaper is wet from rain.. Luckily a fairy swings by and grants him some wishes! But she doesn't really seem to get him...

Meschenmoser, as always, delights with his wonderful pencil illustrations and the short text encourages to think about your happiness in this German picture book.

5 years and up

Dorothee de Monfreid

DIE HUNDEBANDE IN PARIS

The gang of dogs are a pack of 9 lovable dogs in a series of comics - some with very very little text but a lot of humor, perfect for very beginning readers. They always depict a set of emotions children will be able to relate too.

Hundebande in Paris is a little longer - with a proper story arc.

Uncle Jacob is turning 100 and is inviting the pack to Paris. They hop on the train and explore Paris. But will they get to the party in time?

In this comic you'll get dogs, adventure and see the sights of Paris all in one.

5-6 years and up.

WAS IST WAS - ERSTES LESEN

HUNDE - MEINE LIEBLINGSTIERE

All about dogs: how to take care of them, how humans domesticated wolves, different breads and traits of dogs.

Illustrated with photographs, short sentences and big letters make this a perfect beginning reader book (starting late 1st grade or 2nd grade), but with all the information offered also a good pick for anybody really.

6 years and up

Baltscheit Becker HUNDELEBEN graphic novel

Martin Baltscheit / Anne Becker

SELMA TAUSCHT SACHEN: HUNDELEBEN

Selma is scared of dogs, after all they have sharp teeth and when barking can look menacing. Her mother tells her, that she should try to put herself in the dog's place. Dogs are small, and Selma big. And so Selma, who has a special gift, puts herself in a dog's skin. Literally. And a dog takes her place. Selma learns a dog's life isn't always easy, there are reckless drivers and the neighboring cat with claws and no respect. She learns to read other dogs' markings and how incredible her sense of smell is as a dog... Meanwhile the dog as Selma wrecks havoc.

Full of ideas and humor - for kids and adults alike - this graphic novel is a perfect read for all that just start out reading independently or any reluctant bilingual readers.

6 years and up

Katja Reider

KOMISSAR PFOTE - IMMER DER SCHNAUZE NACH

Pepper is a police dog in training, paired with Paul A boy is caught, he stole some expensive head phones. Pepper and Paul's first case! Pepper doubts the shy boy has it in him. Why would he do that? Soon they are following the traces of some blackmailing case at school.

Colorful illustrations, short chapters with suspense and some facts on police dogs make this a perfect read-aloud for younger kids and a great book to read for slightly advanced beginning readers.

7 volumes available.

5 years and up to read aloud

7 yeas and up for independent readers

Lara Schuetzsack

TILDA, ICH UND DER GEKLAUTE DRACULA

Tilda and Oda are best friends, they both live in the same apartment building in Berlin and even though they are very different in character, they match perfectly just like Lego pieces. Or maybe it is because they are so different: Oda is spontaneous and fast, Tilda slow and reflected. When the dog Dracula on the 4th floor disappears they investigate together, a 250 Euro reward is a good incentive... They are sure he was kidnapped!

Told from Oda's perspective we meet a quirky cast of people, ..

Suspenseful. funny and full of good vibes about friendship.

9 years and up

Anna Woltz

FUER IMMER ALASKA

For Parker the new school year starts badly: somebody broke into her parents' photo store and she was a witness. And worse still, the family had to give away her dog Alaska, who she would turn to when she needed some consolation, because her brother is allergic to dogs. She is even more taken aback when she discovers that Alaska now is a service dog to Sven, the new boy in class who taunts and humiliates her.

Sven on the other hand used to be strong and sporty, but now is epileptic. Something he wants to hide at his new school..

Told alternatively from Parker's and Sven's perspective this touching book tells the tale of an unlikely friendship

11 years and up