Snappily-dressed dog trainer Graeme Hall (AKA ‘The Dogfather') has gathered a loyal following on TV thanks to his Channel Five programme ‘Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly'. In the publishing world he has distilled his considerable canine expertise into several full-length books, more recently ‘Does My Dog Love Me?'.
Published this week is Graeme Hall's latest book, ‘The Ultimate Kids' Guide to Dogs'. Fully illustrated in colour by Alice Tait, the visually arresting tome introduces younger readers to the wonderful world of dogs. If parents are considering bringing a dog into the family, then this book is the ideal way to provide their children with all of the essential information about dogs. This includes how kids can look after and train their new best friend. It's presented in a way that will captivate young minds.
Although there is a practical element to the book, it's never too wordy or serious. Hall's tone is upbeat and encouraging throughout, capturing his affable on-screen persona. Kids diving into these pages are likely to come away enthused, knowledgeable and excited to put the guidance into practice.
In just over one hundred pages, ‘The Ultimate Kids' Guide to Dogs' covers everything young people need to know about the nation's favourite pets in two basic sections. The first few chapters provide general information about the dog. They cover the history of dogs from their wolf origins onwards. There's a quick romp through their roles within different civilisations, as well as the varying roles that working dogs were bred for, best-loved breeds, the life cycle of a dog, their anatomy and (Graeme's specialist subject) how to read their body language. The second part of the book pivots to more practical advice for individual families on how to choose a dog, what to consider when bringing them home, as well as hands-on know-how about caring for and training the dog. There is a fun quiz and a few activities at the end of the book to keep young minds engaged, learning and amused.
‘The Ultimate Kids' Guide to Dogs' is the kind of book that I wish I'd had as a child before I travelled all the way to Scunthorpe with my parents to bring home our English Springer Spaniel. Carly and I ended up inseparable for the next eleven years, but bringing home a young and energetic dog was a steep learning curve for all of us! This book will fire up children's enthusiasm ahead of their pet arriving and provide them with a basic toolkit for helping the dog to settle in to family life during those crucial early days.
Inevitably, in such a short book, not everything can be covered, and there are plenty of much-loved breeds and crossbreeds that don't make the final edit. The sections are short and designed to provide an overview rather than in-depth knowledge. But there is a handy list of sources at the back for keen readers to explore dog care and training further.
The illustrations by Alice Tait serve the text well and ensure that the book has a visual impact that reinforces what the young reader learns on each page. The section providing visual aids to demonstrate how dogs see the world nurtures an understanding for readers of every age. In fact, I picked up plenty of fun trivia that I didn't already know along the way, such as how the Jack Russell Terrier came by its name.
If you have a young family member or friend's child who is hankering after a dog, then ‘The Ultimate Kids' Guide to Dogs' is the perfect starting place. Graeme Hall proves yet again why he is an indispensable and accessible voice in dog behaviour. The book will help all young families to welcome and nurture their four-legged friend.
Publisher: Puffin Publication date: 4th July 2024 Buy ‘The Ultimate Kids' Guide to Dogs'
