Animals and What They Can Mean to Us

In this episode, Picture Book Peeps members Christine J. Ko and Wendy Goldstein talk about animals, particularly domesticated ones such as dogs, and what they mean to us.Wendy is the author-illustrator of Oscar’s Blue Bandana which is inspired by her own Havanese dog Oscar and his adventures in training to become a service animal.Whether we have pets or other domesticated animals in our own homes or not, they play a big part in our lives from how we interact with them in public to how we produce much of our food.We hope you enjoy this episode and the recommended list of books and resources below!📚📚Picture books have always historically used animals for a reason because they’re not threatening to the kids. Yet, the messages they’re sending to the kids are important themes for children to understand. — Wendy GoldsteinFurther Reading📚:Kids:Oscar’s Blue Bandana by Wendy GoldsteinWinnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne illustrated by Ernest ShepardLyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard WaberCranky Chicken by Katherine Battersby100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle illustrated by Lian ChoThe Scariest Kitten in The World by Kate Messner illustrated by MacKenzie HaleyHow to Get Your Octopus to School  by Becky Scharnhorst illustrated by Jaclyn SinquettPig and Horse and The Something Scary by Zoey AbbottAdults:Our Dogs, Ourselves: The Story of a Singular Bond by Alexandra HorowitzBeing a Dog: Following the Dog into the World of Smell by Alexandra HorowitzLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusWhat is A Dog?: A Memoir by Chloe ShawResources:Dog Cognition LabAmerican Kennel Club - Canine Good CitizenAmerican Kennel Club - Therapy Dog ProgramNew York Therapy AnimalsOscar Tales - Adventures of Oscar, Wendy’s Therapy DogHave a book for us that isn’t listed above? Or is there a topic that you want us to explore on a future episode? Leave a comment below. Thanks for listening!Subscribe now (100% free) and never miss another episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit picturebookpeeps.substack.com