Review Detail

"Puppy Talk" beautifully introduces young readers to the world of dogs and how they communicate. With Dr. Jess French's straightforward text and Penelope Dullaghan's realistic, expressive illustrations, this book makes dog body language accessible and easy to understand for children and their grown-ups.
The real magic of this book lies in the illustrations. Each image is both realistic and accurate, capturing the subtleties of a dog’s emotions through their body language. Dullaghan's artwork clearly conveys what each dog is feeling, allowing kids to decode these signals with ease. This visual clarity is invaluable, especially for young children who are learning how to interact safely and kindly with their furry friends.
As someone who grew up with a dog trainer for a mom, I’ve spent countless hours around dogs, helping to train them and understanding their behavior. "Puppy Talk" resonates with me deeply because it provides a solid foundation for kids to learn about dogs and serves as a fantastic resource for parents. I’ve read this book multiple times with my own children, and it’s become a staple in our home. We go through each picture together, discussing what the dog is saying with its eyes, ears, tail, and body position. This has been an excellent way to teach my son how to be a safe and responsible dog owner.
I’ve also recommended this book to my librarian friends who invite dogs into their libraries. Many libraries, including mine, have read-to-dog programs where children practice reading aloud to trained and licensed therapy dogs. I think "Puppy Talk" would be a great book to read at the beginning of these programs to help build a strong foundation of understanding between the children and the therapy dogs present.
One of the book's highlights is the "golden rules for meeting dogs and puppies" section at the end. This part is instrumental for both kids and parents, breaking down the process of meeting a new dog into simple, easy-to-follow steps. My only minor critique is that the second step, "let them smell your hand," is slightly outdated. Current advice suggests it’s better to get down on the dog’s level at a short distance and let the dog approach you on its own terms. This approach is less threatening and safer overall.
"Puppy Talk" is a must-have for any family with dogs or children who regularly interact with dogs. It’s a visually beautiful guide that teaches kids how to keep themselves and their dog friends safe, all while deepening the bond between them.