Grateful for Great Pets

Thanksgiving puts bees and humans in thankful mode. In Clover’s flyovers, she’s touched by what she often sees, people “Grateful for Great Pets” lavishing love on their devoted dogs—pedigree pups and shelter saves—and independent kitties of all shades that amaze with their curious ways.

Pets reward and astound, enriching our lives, and trying our patience at times too. This month, Clover hopes you’ll enjoy three superlative stories about pets, unforgettable dogs and a cat with personality plus.

Page On! Enjoy!

The Community Literacy Foundation, in partnership with Neighborhood Reads, and with support from its sponsors, provides these books at no cost to 38 schools in Washington, Union, Pacific, St. Clair and surrounding communities and to the Washington Public Library. Learn more at CommunityLiteracyFoundation.org.

Youngest Read

Sophie Blackall’s newbie, “If We Were Dogs,” is an imaginative, visual delight, a perfect pick to share with your pup.

At a birthday party, two kids sitting under a decorated table question what kind of a dog they’d like to be.

With the turn of a page, the kids morph into four-legged wonders—one turns into a shaggy brown mutt, the other into a spotted, terrier-like-fido flummoxed by the larger dog’s forceful ways.

The two dogs engage in day-to-day activities. They wag their tails, drink from water bowls, pick up sticks and dig holes, the big dog leading the way, overpowering the smaller pup, but falling flat when it comes to doing tricks. Once outside, the big dog has even grander ideas as they head to the park and are met by “Millions of dogs (that) want to play.”

Readers assume the big dog will continue to have the upper paw, but Blackall has a trick up her sleeve and ducks out of continued big dog domination.

For added pleasure, undress “If We Were Dogs.” Without the dust jacket, a pack of dogs is depicted on the cover, all different as can be, allowing young readers to pick out the breed they they’d most like to be. Clover would choose bee-gle.

Buy the book at Neighborhood Reads

Middle Read

Skilled writer/illustrator Brian Lies made artistic pieces like those found in history to create his original illustrations for “Cat Nap,” an amazing romp through a museum where artifacts are on display.

This unique story uses a cat-and-mouse chase to introduce artists and their work.

Lies not only knows art, he knows cats, basing this tale on his kitty, a cross between a Russian Blue Cat and a Siamese mix.

The action begins with non-action as a gorgeous gray cat slumbers under a poster advertising “Egyptian Antiquities” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Nearby, a sneaky mouse peers out from beneath a lamp. Then suddenly something “scritches.” Like a bolt of lightening, the cat wakes and the hunt is on, the mouse jumping into the art poster, the cat on its tail.

Using artistic objects as a backdrop, the harried mouse and hungry cat interact with animals and people displayed on historic carvings, parchments, portraits, masks and like objects, until suddenly cat realizes he’s lost. Fear fills his piercing green eyes, until a kind monk holds the feline in his arms, offering comfort and direction.

To further compliment “Cat Nap,” Lies offers details on how he created the models for his illustrations. He also includes photographs of the actual artwork used to create his copycat models and an explanation of each original masterpiece.

Buy the book at Neighborhood Reads

Oldest Read

A stray pup provides hope and happiness in “Finding Lost,” by Holly Goldberg Solan. This engaging read is more than a dog story—it’s the tale of an Oregon girl forced to face loss after her father dies unexpectedly.

It’s been two years since the bottom dropped out of Cordy’s world. With her dad’s death, her mom has to forego nursing school and take a job waitressing at the diner in the small town where they live, a necessary sacrifice to support Cordy and Geno, her little brother.

Cordy has a best friend who is there for her, but daily existence remains difficult as the little family tries to get by on one meager salary, never seeming to have quite enough.

When a skinny pup follows Cordy home, she’s immediately taken with it. Her mom cautions that Lost may have gotten separated from its owner, but no one shows up to stake a claim.

Lost seems to have one problem—horribly bad breath, which Cordy realizes might impact the dog’s health. She takes Lost to a free vet visit at the humane society and is horrified to learn Lost has badly decayed teeth. Dr. Mazari, the vet, says surgery will be required and will cost over $1,000, money Cordy’s mom doesn’t have.

So begins a series of events by the kind vet, who goes out of his way to help Lost. In the process, Dr. Mazari and Cordy’s mother form a friendship that has Cordy concerned. The last thing she needs is a substitute for her beloved dad.

“Finding Lost” is a wise book about shifting alliances and acceptance, with an adorable dog and loving owner centerstage.

Buy the book at Neighborhood Reads

Written by Chris Stuckenschneider.

Copyright 2025, Community Literacy Foundation.