The dog days of January

My son is obsessed with dogs these days and we've been reading every picture book we can find that contains canines of any kind. And, here's what I've discovered... books about dogs basically have two plots.

Plot 1:

• Dog is bored/irritated with something happening in their house. They run away, get lost and miss their safe, comfortable home. When they return, they are delighted to see whatever made them bored/irritated in the first place.

Plot 2:

• Dog is happy until cat comes into dog's life. Dog hates cat. (Dog sometimes leaves home because of cat- see plot 1). In the end, dog becomes good friends with said cat.

Think I'm kidding? I've made a list of books (and these are just ones we've read in the past week) that follow the plots mentioned above. I recommend all of them, though. Just because I've read something similar doesn't mean it isn't a great book. And plot variation certainly isn't an issue for my son. To read plot 1 or 2, see these books:

• Angus and the Cat by Marjorie lack
• Angus Lost by Marjorie Flack
• Buster by Denise Fleming (plots 1 and 2)
• The Great Gracie Chase: Stop That Dog! by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Mark Teague
• Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham
  
• Nugget & Darling by Barbara M. Joose, illustrated by Sue Truesdell
• Stanley's Wild Ride by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Bill Slavin
  

As wonderful as these books are, if you're writing a picture book about dogs... please, oh, please come up with a new plot.

See the following books for creative and intriguing treatments:

• Grumpy Gloria by Anna Dewdney
• My Father the Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Randy Cecil
• Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
  
• Widget by Lyn Rossiter McFarland, illustrated by Jim McFarland
  

For picture books that depict multiple breeds of dogs, may I suggest:

• Have I Got Dogs! by William Cole, illustrated by Margot Apple
• Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Susan Meyers, illustrated by David Walker
  

I also recommend this book for any child. It's an excellent guide to basic dog safety.

• May I Pet Your Dog?: The How-to Guide for Kids Meeting Dogs (and Dogs Meeting Kids) by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Jan Ormerod

And for a great board game for dog-obsessed chidren ages 3 and up, try:

• Diggety Dog, manufactured by International Playthings, Inc.

Got any suggestions for good dog picture books? (I already have the Martha books by Susan Meddaugh and "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate and "The Trouble with Dogs..." Said Dad by Bob Graham on my list). We're off to the library today to pick up another healthy stack of books.