Balto’s story is a tale of heroism that saved many lives during impossible times. Balto, a sled dog in 1925, was tasked with helping his owner carry a treatment for diphtheria into a very remote area of Alaska during dangerous winter conditions. The stakes were incredibly high, as people were dying and the diphtheria epidemic was raging through the town, but Balto saved the day. This story is touching and very timely. It will reinforce for your children that even in the toughest of times, good people, and in this case, dogs, will find a way to shine a light in the dark for others. 

If you’ve seen the movie, “Marley and Me,” this book is a children’s version of the life story of that same unique dog, Marley. The goofy dog, Marley, will steal your heart just like he steals his family’s prized ring. It’s a story of friendship and family your child will be sure to laugh at and enjoy.

PS- for all you “adults” out there, you can also read the adult version, “Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog.”

Two survivors of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, decided to tell the story of Jessica’s service dog, Rescue. The in-depth portrayal of service dog training and the rich depiction of Rescue’s role in Jessica adapting to life with her injuries make for an amazing story. If you want to encourage your children to learn empathy for topics like service animals and living with a physical disability, this book is essential.

This story is a conversation-starter for your children. It contains some heavy topics, so it’s probably best to read it aloud with them if they’re young, but it is a compelling story for people of all ages. Kunkush is a beloved cat who lives with a family in Iraq until harsh circumstances force the family to flee as refugees into a new territory. While they flee, Kunkush is lost along the way. The tale follows the family’s refugee journey and the true story of how they eventually reunited with their beloved cat. If you are ready to teach your child about topics like this, this story will surely open the door in a sensitive way. 

When Bobbi the dog and Bob Cat the cat are both thrust into the dangerous wake of Hurricane Katrina, they find themselves left alone as their owners are forced to flee to safety without them. The two have to learn to survive hungry and lost. But luckily, a rescue organization and animal shelter saved the day. This is another great story to teach about the importance of rescue missions, but also disaster relief and bonded-pair adoptions. 

On a personal note, this story also has significance to us at Lawrence Humane Society because our very own Animal Welfare Counsel, Katie Barnett, adopted her sweet dog while volunteering with an organization that rescued abandoned animals during Hurricane Katrina. You can read more about the story of Katie’s dog, Katrina, in this article on Dogtime.com. Do check out the amazing true story of the two Bobbies, as well!

The amazing thing about dogs is their loyalty is unmatched. Dogs can be as protective as they are loving and that leads to some pretty amazing rescue stories. When their best friend is in danger, they can defy all odds to ensure their person’s safety. If you want to show your children the protective and heroic aspect of dogs, this is a great book to introduce it. 

Dewey was just a small, homeless kitten until he became the local library’s resident library cat. The charming kitten was so much more than just a mascot, though. This story is full of all of the personality of Dewey that will leave your children asking to go see one of Lawrence’s own storefront  cats as soon as possible. Come fall in love with Dewey’s lighthearted play in this adorable story.