Here is a question for “Check It Out” followers: has the world gone barking mad? I ask this because, let’s face it, life is pretty ruff right now. OK, hold the bone. Has this librarian left her doggone mind? Don’t I mean “rough” instead of “ruff”? Not today, dear readers, so just sit and stay with me. I beg of you.
If you’ve picked up a doggie vibe, congratulations—you’re on point for National Mutt Day! Celebrated twice a year in July and December, National Mutt Day reminds us to embrace and save the adorable and lovable mixed breeds of man’s best friend.
Nothing against purebred pups, but mutts are some of the best pets for families. Here’s the bad news: shelters are mutt-full. But here’s the good news: adopting a mutt from a shelter or animal rescue organization is guaranteed to make you go from barking mad to mad for barkers. What a treat!
In honor of these lovable hounds, I encourage you to check out pooch-themed books from the public library. All of today’s suggestions are recently published and just waiting to be adopted, er, checked out by friendly readers. Wowsers to bowsers!
- “The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer” by Rodney Habib and Karen Shaw Becker.
- “How Dogs Work: A Head-to-Tail Guide to Your Canine” by Daniel Tatarsky.
- “Our Oldest Companions: The Story of the First Dogs” by Pat Shipman.
- “The Story of Your Dog: A Straightforward Guide to a Complicated Animal: Learn the Surprising Connections Between Your Unique Dog’s Breed, Behaviors, Evolution, and Genetics to Communicate Better, Train Easier, and Build a Lasting Bond” by Brandon McMillan.
- “Tales of Al: The Water Rescue Dog: The Making of a Super Athlete” by Lynne Cox.
- “Woodrow on the Bench: Life Lessons from a Wise Old Dog” by Jenna Blum.
New at the Library
Fiction
- “The Astronaut and the Star” by Jen Comfort.
- “My Name is Yip” by Paddy Crewe.
- “Portrait of an Unknown Woman” by Daniel Silva.
Nonfiction
- “Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy” by Damien Lewis.
- “The Little Book of Cottagecore: Traditional Skills for a Simpler Life” by Emily Kent.
- “The Sleep-Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers Are So Tired, and How Parents and Schools Can Help Them Thrive” by Lisa L. Lewis.
Children
- “Be Real, Macy Weaver” by Lakita Wilson.
- “Sharks: What Do Great Whites, Hammerheads, and Whale Sharks Get Up to All Day?” written by Carlee Jackson, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat.
- “Two Dogs” written and illustrated by Ian Falconer.
This is just a small sampling of the many new titles added each week to the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries collection. Find more in our catalog, or call 360-906-5000 to reserve titles or find additional listings.
Jan Johnston, Collection Manager
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
You can email Jan at readingforfun@fvrl.org.
