Can I Be Your Dog?

$8.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Random House Books for Young Readers
On sale Mar 13, 2018 | 9780399554544
Age 3-7 years
Reading Level: Lexile 530L | Fountas & Pinnell K
Sales rights: World
The New York Times bestseller featured on THE TODAY SHOW!

A heart-tugging dog adoption story told through letters--deeply sincere and almost desperate pleas for a forever home--from the dog, himself!

This picture book shares the tale of Arfy, a homeless mutt who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he'd make. His letters to prospective owners share that he's house broken! He has his own squeaky bone! He can learn to live with cats! But, no one wants him. Won't anyone open their heart--and home--to a lonesome dog? Readers will be happily surprised to learn just who steps up to adopt Arfy.

Troy Cummings's hilarious and touching story is a perfect gift for a child wanting a dog, and for pet adoption advocates. It also showcases many different styles of letter writing, making it appealing to parents and teachers looking to teach the lost art of written communication.

"It's an instant classic in our household." --#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas
  • WINNER | 2021
    New York State Charlotte Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    South Carolina Children's Book Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Colorado Children's Book Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Utah Children's Book Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Nevada Young Readers Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Indiana Young Hoosier Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Florida Sunshine State Book Award
  • WINNER | 2019
    The Maine Children’s Choice Picture Book Award
  • WINNER | 2019
    Oklahoma Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Illinois State Library Monarch Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Arizona Young Reader's Award
  • NOMINEE | 2020
    Pennyslvania Young Readers Choice Master List
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Virginia Young Readers Program Award
  • SELECTION | 2019
    Kansas State Reading Circle Award
  • SELECTION | 2019
    Texas 2x2 Reading List
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Pennsylvania Keystone State Reading Association Book Master List
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    California Young Reader Medal
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Minnesota Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Award
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Oklahoma Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2018
    Indie Next
  • SELECTION | 2018
    Amazon Best of the Month
"This story is a warm hug in book form, and reminds readers that there's a friend out there for each of us." —Vicki Wright, Cape May County Library 

"Sure to win the hearts of dog-lovers, this big, colorful picture book is fun for reading aloud." —Booklist

"
A large format and bold, exuberant illustrations are well-matched with Arfy's enthusiastic personality and can-do attitude. The letter format makes this a fine choice for early-elementary students learning to compose letters. Persuasive writing by a persistently pleasing pooch." —Kirkus Reviews

"No bones about it; this humorous picture book will be a hit with storytime audiences and emergent readers."  —Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services, School Library Journal 

"It's an instant classic in our household." —#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas

Classroom Activities for Can I Be Your Dog?

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

About

The New York Times bestseller featured on THE TODAY SHOW!

A heart-tugging dog adoption story told through letters--deeply sincere and almost desperate pleas for a forever home--from the dog, himself!

This picture book shares the tale of Arfy, a homeless mutt who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he'd make. His letters to prospective owners share that he's house broken! He has his own squeaky bone! He can learn to live with cats! But, no one wants him. Won't anyone open their heart--and home--to a lonesome dog? Readers will be happily surprised to learn just who steps up to adopt Arfy.

Troy Cummings's hilarious and touching story is a perfect gift for a child wanting a dog, and for pet adoption advocates. It also showcases many different styles of letter writing, making it appealing to parents and teachers looking to teach the lost art of written communication.

"It's an instant classic in our household." --#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas

Awards

  • WINNER | 2021
    New York State Charlotte Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    South Carolina Children's Book Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Colorado Children's Book Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Utah Children's Book Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Nevada Young Readers Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Indiana Young Hoosier Award
  • WINNER | 2020
    Florida Sunshine State Book Award
  • WINNER | 2019
    The Maine Children’s Choice Picture Book Award
  • WINNER | 2019
    Oklahoma Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Illinois State Library Monarch Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Arizona Young Reader's Award
  • NOMINEE | 2020
    Pennyslvania Young Readers Choice Master List
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Virginia Young Readers Program Award
  • SELECTION | 2019
    Kansas State Reading Circle Award
  • SELECTION | 2019
    Texas 2x2 Reading List
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Pennsylvania Keystone State Reading Association Book Master List
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    California Young Reader Medal
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Minnesota Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Award
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • NOMINEE | 2019
    Oklahoma Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2018
    Indie Next
  • SELECTION | 2018
    Amazon Best of the Month

Praise

"This story is a warm hug in book form, and reminds readers that there's a friend out there for each of us." —Vicki Wright, Cape May County Library 

"Sure to win the hearts of dog-lovers, this big, colorful picture book is fun for reading aloud." —Booklist

"
A large format and bold, exuberant illustrations are well-matched with Arfy's enthusiastic personality and can-do attitude. The letter format makes this a fine choice for early-elementary students learning to compose letters. Persuasive writing by a persistently pleasing pooch." —Kirkus Reviews

"No bones about it; this humorous picture book will be a hit with storytime audiences and emergent readers."  —Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services, School Library Journal 

"It's an instant classic in our household." —#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas

Guides

Classroom Activities for Can I Be Your Dog?

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)