If We Were Dogs (Hardcover)

If We Were Dogs By Sophie Blackall Cover Image
$18.99
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September/October 2025 Kids Indie Next List


“How sweet to share a message that kids can be anything they want…canine or otherwise! Full of silliness, sweetness, and beautiful illustrations. Another hit to add to any picture book collection!”
— Katie Pionk, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey, MI

Description


A #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A PBS News Hour Best Book of the Year

Two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall’s follow-up to her bestselling If I Was a Horse explores the challenges of first friendships through imaginative play.


If we were dogs, what kind would we be?
I’d be a big dog! And you’d be little dog.
Woof!
 
Join two friends as they bark and growl, woof and howl—and maybe even quack—in a romp that makes room for everybody’s ideas.  
 
Sophie Blackall unleashes a marvelous game of pretend that explores navigating friendship and celebrates boundless imagination in this wonderful companion for her national bestseller If I Was a Horse
“Blackall’s impeccably detailed, highly expressive illustrations add heart and humor to this tale about the endless paw-sibilities of pretend play—and the importance of speaking up for oneself.” The Horn Book (starred review)
 
“My favorite picture book this year … Parents love reading [If We Were Dogs] to children. The children are going crazy for this book.” —Ann Patchett, award-winning author and owner of Parnassus Books, TN
 
“Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.” Kirkus Reviews

About the Author


Sophie Blackall is the bestselling and two-time Caldecott medal-winning artist behind Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear; Hello, Lighthouse; and Farmhouse. She is also the proprietor of Milkwood, a creative retreat for children’s book makers. She divides her time between Brooklyn and a farm in upstate New York. 

Praise For…


Praise for If We Were Dogs:
Instant National Bestseller!
A Kids’ Indie Next List Pick
An Amazon Best Book of 20235


 

* "Blackall’s impeccably detailed, highly expressive illustrations add heart and humor to this tale about the endless paw-sibilities of pretend play—and the importance of speaking up for oneself.”

Horn Book, starred review

* “This charming story of ­friendship, ­differences of opinion, and ­acceptance is great for both reading aloud and independently…An excellent addition to any library.”—School Library Journal, starred review

Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say."
 —Kirkus

"Few illustrators pull it off with the panache of Sophie Blackall...In IF WE WERE DOGS, the two-time Caldecott medalist pairs the bowwow exuberance of dogs with the shape-shifting fun of playing pretend to tell a story of affection and respect.”—The Wall Street Journal

Praise for If I Was a Horse:
A Kids’ Indie Next List Pick
An American Library Association Notable Children's Book of 2024

An Amazon Best Book of 2023​
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book 2023
A CCBC Choices Best Book of 2023
A Children's Book Council Favorites Awards, Children's Favorite


* "Charming and whimsical visual surprises are found throughout the impeccably designed pages.... An exquisite equine fantasy, this encourages imaginations to giddyup and run wild and free.”—Booklist, starred review

* "Every illustration invites readers to pause to appreciate its details."
 —Shelf Awareness, starred review


Product Details
ISBN: 9780316581721
ISBN-10: 0316581720
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 16th, 2025
Pages: 40
Language: English

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