Pet-Oriented Book Recommendations 

For our Pet Issue, Kids VT asked local librarians to recommend books for kids featuring awesome animals.

Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby (ages 3-7)

Wiener dog lives a boring, predictable life with Granny. He yearns for more excitement, so one day hitches a ride into the wilderness. After hanging out for a few days with a pack of wolves, he realizes that life with Granny wasn't so bad. 

"The illustrations depict Wiener dog's moods in a hilarious way, especially his limp-bodied, bored look," says Cheryl Sloan, youth librarian at the Charlotte Library. "This is a great read when you hear 'I'm bored' a few too many times, or when a child feels the grass might be a little greener in someone else's yard," she adds.

Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires (ages 7-10)

Housecat Binky thinks he's a space cat, but in reality he's never left his family's home. This graphic novel, the first book in the Binky Adventure series, chronicles the feline's imagined adventures as he blasts off into outer space, explores unknown places and battles aliens.

Josh Muse, technology and communications specialist at Colchester's Burnham Memorial Library, recommends the book for its "endearing and fun" drawings. "Binky is an amusing character, who is also a crucial part of his family," he says.

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney (ages 8-12)

Humphrey is a pet hamster in room 26 at Longfellow School. He has learned how to read, write and escape from his cage. As Humphrey gets to know the students, he finds ways to help each of them, which results in fun and adventure.

This chapter book is "a sweet story that will appeal to both boys and girls," says BFA-Fairfax school librarian Joy Mercer, who recommends it for a family read-aloud. "The story's message of kindness and acceptance is clear without being overwhelming," she adds. "Humphrey loves all of the students no matter what."