The Dogs Next Door

THE DOGS NEXT DOOR is an interesting picture book about neighbors and friendship. When dogs move in next door, a young girl is not really sure about them - especially when they invite themselves over for breakfast and eat all the bacon. However, she gives them more chances and eventually they become friends. These dogs may be bad dogs - something that she notices more when a wanted poster shows up.

What I loved: This was an engaging story with some surprising twists along the way. There are some interesting themes around friendship with others who are different from you and getting along with neighbors. The story keeps readers guessing as it takes a few twists and the conversational tone works well to convey the plot from the perspective of the girl next door.

What left me wanting more: The messages of the book were not clear, and the story felt a bit unsettled. It was a strange way to conclude the story and seemed to present confusing themes, which can be tough for young readers. However, in the setting of a discussion, this could work well for children to interpret.

Final verdict: THE DOGS NEXT DOOR is an engaging and interesting story about neighbors and friendship that will work best for older picture book readers.

This is one of those delightful picture books that perfectly captures the wonderful chaos that dogs can bring. Patricia Carlin has crafted a story with perfect comedic timing, but it's the illustrations that truly make this book special. The dogs are rendered with such distinctive personalities—their expressive faces and mischievous body language tell as much of the story as the words do. My preschooler was completely captivated by these canine characters, pointing out their antics in the background of scenes and giggling at their increasingly bold behavior. The richness of detail on every page rewards careful observation, allowing discussion to build vocabulary and verbal skills. There are delightful little jokes and story elements hidden throughout—my children discover something new each time we read it. Add to that the story’s progression from mild irritation (dogs inviting themselves over) to genuine outrage (they ate ALL the bacon!) to the suspenseful moment with the WANTED poster, and you have a book perfect for sparking conversations about how the girl is feeling, what the dogs might be thinking, and what might happen next. This would be an excellent addition to any home or classroom library. Beyond being a fun story about neighborhood dogs, it offers wonderful opportunities to discuss boundaries, judgment, and the complexity of relationships—all through illustrations that children will want to pore over again and again.