Beginning or reluctant readers ages 6 - 11 are often invited to read aloud to a registered therapy dog in our libraries - a dog who loves to listen to stories! Children register to read for a 15 minute session. Reading to a dog is a great way to improve a child's reading skills and self-confidence. Children may read from any book they choose. See our schedule at several locations and register.
If your child has never tried reading to a dog before and wants to learn a little about what that might be like, listen below to the story, Madeline Finn and the Library Dog. Meet Madeline, who does not like to read. "Not books. Not magazines. Not even the menu on the ice cream truck." Mrs. Dimple, the librarian, suggests Madeline read to a dog, and so Madeline meets Bonnie, who is beautiful, like a big snowy polar bear, and a very good listener! When Madeline can't get the words right, Bonnie doesn't mind. Madeline realizes it's ok to go slow and keep trying.
Here are some more dog stories you can listen to, just click on a book jacket to hear the story!
More FREE Online Reading:
- 100+ Free Video Read Alouds
- 100 MORE Free Video Read Alouds
- 500+ Free Video Read Alouds & e-Books for Kids
- IndyPL Kids Online Storytime
Websites, Printables & Activities:
- World of Biscuit: Activities
- I Can Read! Printable Activities: Biscuit
- I Can Read! Printable Activities: Charlie the Ranch Dog
- Clifford the Big Red Dog: Activities
- Printable: Harry the Dirty Dog Storyline Online Activity Guide
- Printables: PAW Patrol
- Create with Maisy Activity Kit
- Doodle With Maisy Activity Sheets
- Maisy Coloring Sheet
- Spot Printables
Books:
Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about dogs at any of our locations, or check out e-books and e-audiobooks from home right to your device. If you have never used Axis 360 or OverDrive before, you can learn how to use them for both e-books and audiobooks.
- Dog e-books and audiobooks from Axis 360 Kids
- Dog e-books and audiobooks from Overdrive Kids
Looking for even more books to read about dogs? Try these recommendations from IndyPL staff:
- Heroes with Tails: Dog Man and 15 Other Graphic Novel Favorites
- Clifford the Big Red Dog - the Supersized Puppy with a Heart of Gold
- Amazing and True Animals Stories for Kids
Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.
IndyPL Librarian Picks: Picture Books for Kids in Puppy Love
Kids love dogs. Our librarians do too! When asked which book dogs are their favorite for story time, Harry the Dirty Dog and Bark, George won by a landslide! Here are some suggestions from them for little readers who can't get enough puppy love. E-books and downloadable audiobooks are available.
Bark, George
Kids will laugh out loud when little George opens his mouth and out comes, "meow' or "oink" or "moo." Kids can't correct George fast enough!
Pretzel
Pretzel is a lot like Clifford the Big Red Dog, except he's a little puppy that grows into a long, long dog! In fact, he is the longest dog in the world!
Dog Man
George and Harold create a new comic book hero in Dog Man, a crimefighter with the head of a police dog and the body of a policeman, who faces off against his archnemesis Petey the cat.