The Smell of Wet Dog: And Other Dog Poems and Drawings

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

Equal parts heart-melting and stinky, The Smell of Wet Dog is a must-have illustrated poetry book for every young canine fan.

The smell of wet dog is not a good smell.

When a dog is wet it’s easy to tell.

Imagine moose and skunk perfume.

An odiferous stench, a paint-peeling plume.

Beloved author and illustrator Barney Saltzberg offers up twenty-seven poems on the evergreen topic of human’s best friend. Many have all the humor of a Shel Silverstein classic. Others are unexpectedly poignant, about separation anxiety or older dogs growing less spry. All are accompanied by Saltzberg’s lively and loveable artwork. 

Whether you are a dog lover, love a dog lover, or are simply dog-curious, The Smell of Wet Dog is for someone in your life. One thing’s for sure: You’ll leave this book inspired to write an ode to a furry friend of your own!

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

About the Author

Barney Saltzberg is the bestselling author of over 40 books for children, including One of These is Not Like the Others, Hug This Book, Beautiful Oops! and the Animal Kisses series, with over 800,000 copies in print. He has also recorded four albums of songs for children. He lives in Los Angeles.

Author Residence: Los Angeles, CA