If You Could Ask Your Dog One Question . . .

By Kim Messina, Nataliia Pavliuk (Illustrator)

A girl seeks the perfect question to ask her beloved dog, revealing their deep bond.

4.0/7 Bookroo expert·4.9/5 Goodreads · 9 ratings

32 pages

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon.

Bookroo's summary

A young girl ponders the perfect question to ask her dog, from playful queries about stolen socks to heartfelt ones about happiness. Her journey through quirky canine behaviors unveils a profound love, captured in rhythmic prose and charming illustrations. As she navigates her thoughts, readers are led to a moving final question that resonates with anyone who cherishes a furry friend. What would you ask if your dog could answer?

From the publisher

“A sweet, uncomplicated ode to the love between a dog and their human . . . leads readers to a final, moving question . . .” BLUE INK REVIEWSThis award winning, poetic story about a young girl’s struggle to pick the perfect question will warm the hearts of children and their adult readers alike. From “Why do you steal my fuzzy socks?” to “Do I make you happy?” her questions highlight quirky dog behaviors while exposing the profound love that she feels for her pet. With a delightful rhythm and charmingly sweet scenes hand-painted by Nataliia Pavliuk, this work will resonate with all who have opened their hearts to a furry friend.What question would you ask if your dog could answer you?A 2021 winner of the Purple Dragonfly Children’s Book AwardA 2021 Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Audience: Picture

Themes & topics

Books about dogs

The Bookroo review

What our editors thought of this book

A young girl ponders a series of questions she might ask her dog if she could give her just one response. Would she ask about why she likes to jump in leaves, or why she growls at all the other dogs they pass? Or would she ask if her feet get cold in the snow, or if she misses her while she’s at school? The questions give insights into the special relationship the two share—going outside to play with sticks, taking walks or car rides, and snuggling together at night. Ultimately the girl realizes the answer she’d most like to have: does her dog love her as much as she loves her dog? But by that point, savvy readers will already know the answer is a resounding yes. Messina’s cadence has wonderful moments of flow offering a delightful reading experience, though there are also a few awkward spots that interrupt. Pavliuk’s illustrations, though enjoyable on some pages and appropriately focused exclusively on a girl and her dog, are overall too simple, with too much white space and reliance on gradient backgrounds. Different font selection and design could also offer a better reading experience. Overall, the book offers a fun read, especially for dog lovers.

The verdict

“A very sweet book for someone with a beloved dog.”

Bookroo Editorial

Reviewed October 2021

4.0/7

What readers & critics say