Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends

Ages 4 to 8

“Perfect for animal lovers . . . filled with raw emotion and love for a diverse collection of animals who unconditionally love us back.” — Booklist

“Sure to warm the cockles of any pet owner’s heart.” — Kirkus Reviews

A celebration of creatures—and one of the last books edited by beloved children’s poet Lee Bennett Hopkins. In this adorable, often amusing collection, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Lois Lowry, and twelve other poets give thanks for those who bark, purr, chitter, and slither. The poems feature fourteen different animal companions, including a cat snoozing in her bed, a goldfish dancing in her bowl, and a gerbil nestling in an overall pocket. Illustrated in warm, tender detail by Lita Judge, Bless Our Pets captures the charms—and antics—of pets and the people who love them. From puppies to mice to turtles to ponies, this endearing anthology expresses children’s gratitude for creatures big and small. Bless Our Pets is the perfect tribute to the friends who bring so much joy into our everyday lives. 

Poems by…

• Ann Whitford Paul

• Rebecca Kai Dotlich 

• Linda Trott Dickman

• Eric Ode

• Ralph Fletcher

• Sarah Grace Tuttle

• Kristine O’Connell George

• Darren Sardelli

• B.J. Lee

• Charles Ghigna

• Lois Lowry

• Prince Redcloud

• Joan Bransfield Graham

• Lee Bennett Hopkins

About the Author

Lee Bennett Hopkins (1938–2019) was an acclaimed children's poet and anthologist. His books include I Remember (Lee & Low), America at War (Simon & Schuster), Manger, and Night Wishes (both Eerdmans). In 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Lee as the world's most prolific anthologist of poetry for children-with over 100 titles to his name. He also founded the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and the ILA/Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award to recognize excellent writing for children. Until his death in 2019, Lee lived in Cape Coral, Florida, where he wrote many poems about animals-including Duke, his old cocker spaniel. Visit his website at leebennetthopkins.com.

Lita Judge is the illustrator and often author of many children's books, including Dogs (Abrams), Red Sled (Atheneum), The Wisdom of Trees, and Homes in the Wild (both Roaring Brook). Her books have received numerous starred reviews and have appeared on best-of-year lists from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and the New York Public Library. Lita lives in New Hampshire, where she used her own pets-as well as friends' pets and family photos-as models for this book's art. Visit her website at litajudge.me or follow her on Instagram @litajudge.