Beagles Are the Best! (Best Dogs Ever) [Library Binding]

Elaine Landau (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Best Dogs Ever

What's that dog with the floppy ears, loving eyes, and friendly personality? It's the beagle! Beagles are loyal dogs with a gentle nature and plenty of curiosity. Their owners think they are the best dogs ever - and it's easy to see why. If you're a beagle fan, you'll want to learn all about this breed, from its amazing sense of smell and tendency to bay at other animals to its history as a hunting and tracking dog in England. You'll also want to find out how to care for the beagle. So check out this go-to guide for beagle lovers - and learn all about why beagles are the best breed there is!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4–Landau features several of America' most popularly ranked breeds and makes a case for their best qualities, stating in Beagles, for example, that the creatures are terrific termite trackers. The four chapters per book cover such topics as Boxers–Past and Present and The Ideal Pet–For Some People, a chapter in German Shepherds that discusses whether the animal is suitable for a certain type of owner. Portuguese Water Dogs is sure to be popular, as a member of this breed has recently been crowned First Pet. The clearly written, engaging, and often conversational texts are complemented by brilliant splashes of color in photographs that depict pets and their owners, working dogs, and some reproductions of historical situations in which the breeds were involved. Text and photo size and placement vary, resulting in striking, above-average page layouts. Occasional media references, such as a sidebar on the canine star of Marley & Me in Labrador Retrievers, make for fun real-world connections. Suggested names for each breed, such as Diva and Ninja for Yorkshire Terriers, are fun extras. END

About the Author

Award-winning author Elaine Landau has worked as a newspaper reporter, a children's book editor, and a youth services librarian before becoming a full-time writer. She has written more than 175 nonfiction books for children and young adults.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Publications (September 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580135595
• ISBN-13: 978-1580135597
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,844,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a children's book author and writing coach who loves both children and books. I've never been much of a fiction fan, I've spent my time both reading and writing nonfiction. I live in tropical Miami with my husband and son who are nonfiction lovers as well.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll learn a lot about the Beagle, a fantastic "people dog," in this marvelously spirited and well written book!, August 26, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beagles Are the Best! (Best Dogs Ever) (Library Binding)

Were you thinking of getting a beagle as a watchdog after you saw Uno win Best of Show in the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Show? Well, according to the author, "it won't work" because "these dogs are just too sweet and friendly." They are so nice, they would probably invite an intruder in, serve them a cup of tea and show them where your valuables are hidden. Seriously, beagles are wonderful dogs who "enjoy being around people" and are "especially good with children." Beagles, who come from the hound family, basically come in two different sizes and are tricolor (white, black and tan).

They are very devoted dogs, but are not clingy. You will learn about their "excellent sense of smell," their special sense receptors, the history of the beagle, the beagles who work for the U.S. Government (yes they do!), you'll see photographs of the hound grouping of dogs, you'll learn they are a high-spirited dog, need lots of exercise, they are "people dogs" and do NOT like to be left alone, how they bay, their history as hunters, the patience you'll need in order to train them, how they love to chew things (watch those shoes!), their life span, what you'll need to prepare for the homecoming, veterinarian care, how to feed them, how much exercise they need and the fact that they are pack dogs.

This is an adorable book! It is not only well written and researched it is a FUN book. I loved looking at all the pictures and learned a lot about the breed, including, if I got one, possible names. The book is very clear about the needs of a beagle and the importance of choosing the right pet to suit the lifestyle of a family. Naturally, choosing the wrong dog could be disastrous. Beagles are loving, but also very lively. There are numerous informative sidebars scattered throughout the book. In the back of the book is a glossary, an index and additional recommended book are website resources. Did you know that "beagles are terrific termite trackers?" You learn something new every day!