Picture Book 2 - May I Pet Your Dog?

Title: May I Pet Your Dog?
Author: Stephanie Calmenson
Illustrator: Jan Ormerod
Publisher: Clarion Books
Date: 2006
Age Range: All

Summary: Harry the dog explains how to safely meet him and his friends.

Strengths:
This is a great topic for children to learn about. Many children do not know the proper way to act around animals and may be too rough with them. The book does a great job going over the directions of meeting a new dog. It's nice that the author uses the dog, Harry, as the one giving the directions. It makes it more personal than an adult telling the child. I also like how the directions are repeated, with some differences, each time a new dog comes. Its also good that there is a dog when the owner says not to pet. It helps instill the idea of asking. One that note it's very good that they go over the other types of dogs not to go up to such as dogs in cars and seeing eye dogs. At the end there is a nice list of does and don'ts. The illustrations are very well done and really help illustrate what is being said.

Concerns:
None. I feel that it is a strong book that teaches a good lesson.