There are amazing people who work each day to rescue animals around the world who are living in less than desirable environments. The books for kids on this list highlight those rescue and shelter animals.
Be sure to read through the entire post, because you’ll learn how you can use this topic to create a Family Dinner Book Club complete with conversation starters, themed menu, activity, and family service project.
Rescue and Animal Shelter Books for Kids
Buddy Unchained by Daisy Bix is the story of a dog who was not cared for and ended up in a shelter. This doggy has a happy ending and finds a loving home.
Operation Rescue Dog by Maria Gianferrari is the story of a young girl named Alma is looking for companionship while her mami is away and as a surprise for mami when she returns. Far away, is a dog named lonely dog named Lulu. When Lulu is rescued she find Alma and a new home.
Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog by Lisa Papp is a sweet story about a little girl who learns about shelter animals and decides to make a difference in their lives by collecting towels for beddging and bring the community children in to read to the animals.
The Dog Who Belonged to No One by Amy Hest is the tale of a lonely dog who finds a new home inside a bakery.
Can I Be Your Dog? By Troy Cummings is the story of a dog who writes letters to everyone on the street trying to find a home. When he thinks he’s exhausted all his resources, he receives a special letter inviting him to be a pet.
Before You Were Mine by Maribeth Boelts is about a little boy who wonders what kind of life his dog has had before he comes to him.
Pick a Pup by Marsha Wilson Chall is the story of a boy wondering how he will ever find the perfect dog at the shelter. Turns out that special dog finds him.
Marshall the Miracle Dog by Cynthia Willenbrock is a longer picture book about a dog named Marshall who before finding his forever home, suffers at the hand of a hoarder. He’s so badly harmed that he lost one of his legs and had a long road to recovery.
Shelter Dog Blues (chapter book) from Martha Speaks series. Martha gets lost and ends up a the shelter. While there, she vows to stay until all the pets in the shelter are adopted.
A Dog Wearing Shoes by Sangmi Ko is the story of a little lost dog wearing yellow shoes who is discovered by a little girl and her mom. The little girl wants to keep the dog even though it probably belongs to someone else. When the dog goes missing and is found again, the little girl realizes she needs to find the dog’s owner. She then returns to get a shelter dog of her own.
Stormy lives under a bench in the park that is until he meets his forever friend. A beautiful wordless book about finding a forever home.
The Forgotten Rabbitby Nancy Furstinger reminds us not to get a pet for the wrong reasons. Animals are long-term commitments and we must be willing to play and care for them for many years.
For more books about dogs, check out our All About Dogs Book List. And, don’t miss our big list of Books About Animals.
Get Your Printable Book List and Conversation Starters
Grab the printable book list that you can take to the library or share with other families. You also get six conversation starters to spark discussion on the topic.
Just click the button below.
Creating a Rescue and Animal Shelter Family Dinner Book Club
What is a Family Dinner Book Club?
Each month:
- On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
- Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to compliment the theme for the month.
- Laura from Sunny Day Family shares an activity that relates to the theme.
- And, I share a book list that compliments the themes, conversation starters, and a family service project.
Books and Conversation Starters
For our theme of RESCUE ANIMALS, you have found the book list and discussion starters on this page. (see above)
Themed Menu
Check out the themed menu you can eat with your dog from Chef Sarah Elizabeth.—> MENU
Book Related Activity
And, visit Sunny Day Family for an activity to do with the theme.—> SEE THE ACTIVITY
Family Service Project
My family completed two family service projects for this theme. You can do both too.
- Read to a rescue/shelter animal. Check with your local Humane Society or rescue shelter about opportunities to read to the animals. We visited Randy’s Rescue Ranch and spent time reading to the dogs and even a pig!
- With our local 4H group we also made animal themed scarves that were sold to raise money to support the Help Oscar Foundation. These scarves were very easy to make. You just need fleece material and a pair of scissors.
This rescue and animal shelter Family Dinner Book Club can just be the first of many. Join us in a year-long focus of kids making a difference in the world.—>See All The Kids Making a Difference in the World Family Dinner Book Clubs
If you would like to be notified when a new Family Dinner Book Club releases, sign up for our special mailing list.—>SIGN UP HERE
sarah says
This book list looks awesome. So fun that you did two service projects together this month!
Sue Davidson says
Thank you for these book recommendations! I had no idea these were available and will need to get a few of these for my Grandkids!
Jodie Rodriguez says
So glad the list is helpful to you!