Summertime Reading with AVC

Summer is setting in and the heat has arrived! What better way to spend a steamy summer vacation than inside with the air conditioning and a good book? While you or your family may have put together some summer reading lists to tackle over the next month or two, AVC is partial to stories with characters of the fuzzier, four-legged variety!

Whether they make us laugh or pull on our heartstrings, here is Arlington Veterinary Center’s 2022 Summer reading list! We hope you consider adding a few to your own lists. Which stories did we miss, and which are your favorites? 

FOR EMERGENT READERS

For the newest bookworms in your family. Introduce some of your own childhood favorites and get them hooked on great stories early!

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
The beloved classic, of course!  

Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault and Fred Marcellino
This French folk tale has been retold countless times, but this particular version is a must for young readers. 

Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day
Carl, a loyal rottweiler, takes his role in the family very seriously. A perfect and sweet series for pre-literate readers. 

Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
How could we not include everyone’s very oversize red pooch!? Several generations have now been introduced to Clifford either through books, movies or television.  

FOR YOUNG READERS 

What’s next for young readers? How about a stack of chapter books filled with funny and heartwarming stories! 

Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by TS Eliot
The original Cats production before it hit the Broadway stage! This book of poems captures the distinctive personalities of our furry felines. 

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
How long has it been since you last revisited this classic? Don’t forget about Charlotte, Wilbur, and the whole Zuckerman farm.  

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
From the author of the Ramona series, don’t forget her tale of Ralph Mouse and his dream of learning to ride a motorcycle! 

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate and Patricia Castelato
A sequel to the Newbery Award-winning The One and Only Ivan, follow along with Bob and his two best friends, Ivan and Ruby. 

FOR ADVANCED READERS

Sweet stories and tear-jerkers. This stack (along with many others on our list) perfectly displays the love and companionship our pets have for us that make them a perfect part of our families. 

Greyfriars Bobby by Eleanor Atkinson
This is not quite the same story from the old Disney classic. So, consider this (mostly) true original story about Bobby, the Skye terrier from Edinburgh.  

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
Stories from an English countryside veterinarian! This series is a true must for animal lovers.  

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
A dog’s-eye commentary on his human relationships.  

Marley & Me by John Grogan
What’s the impact of one small dog on the path of a family’s story? Life just isn’t the same, is it? 

AWARD-WINNING SELECTIONS

While many books on our list include New York Times Bestsellers, Caldecott Winners, and other accolades, we thought we might group this next list together as they were ALL Newbery Award selections. The Newbery Award is given annually to the, “author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.” However, we should give fair warning that many of the books in this section (like some of the titles above) might be considered a bit of a downer if you’re looking solely at the book’s destination rather than the journey! 

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Sounder by William Howard Armstrong
Dogsong by Gary Paulsen 

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Be sure to check out our other blogs for more tips, tricks, and education when it comes to you and your pet!