Why Do Dogs Sniff Butts?: Curious Questions About Your Favorite Pets

Gr 3-5–Why do some dogs not get cold in the most extreme weather? And why do dogs love to chase cats? More important, what does a dog do all day when its owner is gone? Readers will find the answers to these questions and 16 others in this question-and-answer book about their canine friends. A mix of fun facts and helpful tips provide readers with a wide range of information about dogs. They will learn about a very loyal Akita and the world’s tallest dog, but they will also discover ways their dog might be communicating with them. Each spread highlights a particular question, which is answered in a short paragraph at the top of each page and captions that offer examples or give additional information. In general, this text lacks focus. In several spreads, the book feels like a collection of interesting animals. However, in others, the author attempts to introduce readers to different breeds or groups without a comprehensive overview. Some of the questions aren’t even ones that kids generally ask, such as “Why do dogs like surfing?” and “Why does my dog have more followers than me?” More important questions about care, training, and behavior are absent. An index and a glossary are featured, but additional resources are lacking.