To celebrate the release of my latest picture book, Officer Katz & Houndini: A Tale of Two Tails, illustrated by Danny Chatzikonstantinou, Mia invited me to share my TOP 5 funny dog and cat picture books!
Dog my cats! It was virtually impossible to limit myself to 5 books each, but here goes! It’s raining cats and dog picture books!!
10 Hilarious Cat and Dog Picture Books starting with …
Top 5 FUNNY Dog Picture Books
5. A Dog Wearing Shoes by Sangmi Ko
How can you resist this cover? I certainly couldn’t!
The shoe-wearing canine character of this dog adoption tale so reminds me of another favorite canine, Dr. Seuss’s Max.
Favorite illustration: The soft graphite illustrations with little pops of yellow and red are cute and funny.
And my all-time favorite is a spoiler, so peek at your own risk.
4. Norman, Speak! by Caroline Addison, illustrated by Qin Leng
Another adoption tale that will melt your heart. Norman is funny and friendly, but when he doesn’t understand his name, and when he can’t learn simple commands, his adoptive family thinks he’s just not smart. But boy is he! Wait until you find out why! It will surprise you.
Favorite spread: Norman and his family
3. Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Ooh-la-la & c’est magnifique! You’re in for a treat if you haven’t yet read Gaston! A touching tale of family love and being who you are.
Favorite spreads: The poodle-bulldog families meet each other for the first time.
I cannot wait for its sequel, Antoinette, which comes out in February!
I love Christian Robinson’s art which complements the text so well.
2. It’s Only Stanley by Jon Agee
The Wimbledons were sleeping… and Stanley keeps waking them up! All night long! Rollicking rhyme that’s a delight to read aloud. I love the bold lines and funny contraptions. And why is Stanley so busy? You’ll soon see!
Favorite spreads: I absolutely love this spread that hints at Stanley’s motivation!
The very last spread makes me feel over the moon (hint-hint)!
And the top dog picture book is …
1. Ragweed’s Farm Dog Handbook by Anne Vittur Kennedy
Want to be a farm dog and get a biscuit too? Then this is your book! Ragweed will tell you all about it in his own funny voice, with hilarious illustrations to match!
Favorite images: Ragweed with the farm’s chickens in stunning color!
And this one of Ragweed chasing sheep is just pure dog joy!
p.s. and one more hot off the presses from PragmaticMom …
Top Dog and Other Doggone Delightful Expressions by Carli Davidson
This is a compilation of adorable dog photographs by expert animal photographer Carli Davidson coupled with well-known idioms that include dogs. I’d gift it to a work colleague or to any adult who loves dogs. [picture book, ages 8 and up]
And now it’s time for cat-tales!
Top 5 FUNNY Cat Picture Books
5. How to Catch a Mouse by Phillipa Leathers
Clemmie the cat tells the tale of her mouse-catching prowess, though the pictures tell another tale. The last wordless spread will show you just how Clemmie plans to catch her mouse.
Favorite image: That’s one tricky mouse!
4. Won Ton by Lee Wardlaw, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
Told in a series of haikus, this cat adoption tale will steal your heart, and make you laugh along the way. Wait until you find out the cat’s true name!
Two favorite images: Quintessential cat
Playful cat
And don’t forget to check out its follow-up, Won Ton and Chopstick—a cat AND dog haiku tale:
The endpapers with mice and kongs are just purrfectly pawsome!
3. Here Comes the Easter Cat by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda (and the Santa, Toothfairy, and Valentine Cat books too!)
This book is just plain funny from beginning to end, and its use of white space is absolutely brilliant! I love how Cat communicates through signs too.
Favorite images:
With a chocolate bunny!
Woops! That cat!
2. They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel
I have long been a fan of Brendan Wenzel’s art, and I have been waiting for this book for so long! It did not disappoint! It’s deceptively simple, but not simplistic, and explores perspective and point of view in such a clever and creative way—loved it!
Picking a favorite was tough! The resolution is pitch-perfect, and a bit of a spoiler, so I won’t share it here. You’ll want to see it for yourself.
Here are two favorites though:
The bat saw the cat:
And they all saw the cat!
And the #1 cat’s meow of a picture book is …
1. Miss Hazeltine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats by Alicia Potter, illustrations by Birgitta Sif
I love the hero, a shy cat named Crumb. The illustrations are so spot-on for this sweet and touching story of friendship and facing fears. It makes me laugh and cry!
Cute kitty endpapers!!
And this page is LOL funny! Who knew Miss Hazeltine feared owls and mushrooms?
I’ll end with my favorite spread from Officer Katz & Houndini!
Aladdin is kindly giving away THREE copies of Officer Katz & Houndini right here!
Tell us about your favorite dog, cat, or dog & cat picture books, and you’ll be in the running! (US residents only—sorry !). Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter.
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
OFFICER KATZ & HOUNDINI BLOG TOUR! BOOK GIVEAWAYS EVERY DAY!!
Monday, Oct. 17th: Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) THREE GIVEAWAYS: a query pass from the amazing Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary; picture book critique from me, and a copy of Officer Katz & Houndini!!
Tuesday, Oct. 18th: Librarian’s Quest
Wednesday, Oct. 19th: Bildebok
Thursday, Oct. 20th: Mamabelly’s Lunches with Love
Friday, Oct. 21st: Pragmaticmom + THREE book giveaway
Monday, Oct. 24th: Homemade City
Tuesday, Oct. 25th: ReFoReMo THINK QUICK Interview with Carrie Charley Brown
p.s. Related posts:
Top 10 STEM Bird Books for Bird-Watching Kids
Top 10 STEM Expository Nonfiction Picture Books
Training Our Dog to Be a Therapy Dog
Adventurous Dog Picture Book of the Day
The Challenges of Naming Your Dog
Top 10 Reasons Why Dogs Are Easier Than Kids
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Congratulations on the release of your book, Maria! I can’t wait to read all of these.
Thank you Mother of 3!! There are so many great dog & cat pbs out there, it was very hard to limit myself to 5 each. I could go on & on! 🙂
I discovered some I want to read on your list Maria! Thank you!
Hi Mother of 3,
This is such a funny book! I hope you love it too! Maria has six (6!!!) picture books out this year! I think this is #4.
Thank you so much for hosting another blog tour for me, Mia!! I really appreciate it!! <3 <3
What are your favorite dog & cat picture books??
It’s my great pleasure Maria!
Here’s a dog favorite of mine that didn’t make your list (yet):
SAY HELLO TO ZORRO! as well as ZORRO GETS AN OUTFIT by Carter Goodrich. I giggle on page after page!
Lovely post Maria and Mia!
Oh, yes–the Zorro books are so cute!! Thanks, Cathy <3
Thanks so much for your great book suggestion Cathy! I will add it to my list to track down!
My favorites are Lee Wardlaw’s Wonton and Wonton and Chopstick.
Great choices, Danielle!! I love them too!
Hi Danielle,
I have to read the Wonton series! It sounds terrific!
Great post, Maria and Mia!
One of my favorite all-time books is Bark, George by Jules Feiffer. The final page is so perfect!
Yes! Bark, George is a classic, Sheri!! I could have gone on & on & on 😉 –especially with the dog picture books, but I was also focusing on more recently published works.
Another all-time favorite of mine is MY FATHER THE DOG by Elizabeth Bluemle–love that book!!
Thanks so much for your great book suggestion Sheri! I want to read it!
I love the book Bark George, it is an older dog book, but it is so funny. These ones all look great!
Another one for Bark George! It’s such a fun book!
I can’t believe I haven’t read Bark George. I need to rectify immediately! By the way, have you met Erik of This Kid Reviews Books? He has a terrific blog and he has Perfect Picture Book Friday feature. Would it be possible to send him your newest book? I can introduce you via email.
Hi Sarah,
I need to read Bark George!! It sounds great! How did I miss that one?!!!
I want the book just for the tittle! I can’t wait to read it all. My Kiddos love Spout books
Many thanks! From one Maria to another!! I’m unfamiliar with Spout books. I’ll have to check them out–thanks!
Oh, sorry, I meant Spot 🙈
I should have gotten that, Maria! Not enough tea this morning 😉
My problem too! 🙂
I noticed the Maria connection too! And loved that you have that in common!
Hi Maria,
The title is great and very apt!
Seeing Katz and Houdini all over the place! Looks like a great book! Got to get my hands on It’s Only Stanley too!
Did you want a copy of Katz and Houndini? I can introduce you to Maria, the author. Maybe for your Perfect Picture Book Friday series? I think you think that it qualified!
It’s Only Stanley is so much fun to read aloud, and the illustrations are hilarious! Thanks so much for commenting, Erik!! 🙂
My favorite is Katz and Houndini!
Thanks so much for saying so, Lisa :)!!
Yay! Thanks Lisa R! That will make Maria so happy!!!
These books are perfect for my pet-loving kids!
We love “Good Dog Carl” and “Do You Like My Hat?”
Hi Mary Anne,
Funny always works in our house!
I don’t know of those, Maryanne–I’ll look for them. Thanks for the recommendation!
These are amazing. I’m deffinitely getting some of them for my kids – they just love dogs!
She has a great list! Thanks Olivia!
Congratulations on your book! It sounds really cute! One of my favorites growing up was if you give a mouse a cookie.
We love that series too!
Great post, Maria
One of my favorite all-time books is Bark George, an old book but its so funny .The final page is so perfect!
Maria introduced me to that book too and I think it’s great!
Love your ideas! Thanks for tips:)
traindoghq.com
Thanks so much Andre!
Love your ideas! Thanks for tips:)
orthoseatinghq.com
Thanks Andre!
Brilliant! Love the books and the humor. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much Carl!