incredibly touching, moving but also funny, written in a language that is easy enough for kids to understand but that stills conveys the message of the text perfectly.

The illustrations are just delightful, so full of fun and life, it's almost worth it just for that!
The poem itself is a bit lacking, but that could just be because I'm not generally a fan of poetry. The story was cute but a bit...meh...all been done before.
Not much to say, it's a very short book, but like I say, worth browsing even just for the artwork!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

I did not know my dog wrote an autobiography! Seriously though, this book is adorable and I did read it to her in a high-pitched voice. I think kids will love it just as much as I do, especially if their dog does not know how to be a stereotypical dog. I'm picturing dog or I guess animal autobiography projects.

This is such a beautiful book about a lonely dachshund who can't seem to find another dog like him to be friends with. A perfect book to show children that it is ok to be different and to keep being yourself. So beautifully illustrated, too.

Every time a lonely dachshund dog goes to the park, it struggles to fit in with the other dogs. Despite trying to understand how to make friends, the dog only watches the others from the sidelines. However, the story takes a hopeful turn when, one day, a new friend comes along.
A Pack of Your Own promotes discussions on themes of friendship, belonging, acceptance and the courage to keep trying despite setbacks.

Discussion Questions
How does the dachshund feel when he cannot fit in at the park? Can you relate to those feelings?
Why do you think it's important for everyone to feel like they belong?
Can you think of a time when you felt left out? How did you handle it?
What does this story teach us about the value of perseverance in making friends?
Can you relate to the dachshund's joy when he finally makes a friend?
In what ways does the story encourage us to be accepting of others, regardless of their differences?

This is such a sweet picture book about not fitting into the mold and finding your people er, dogs. I loved how the pup tried to fit in but soon realized that it was fruitless and when he showed his true self, that’s when he found his friend. He embraces his friend for who they are, not needing them to be exactly like him. As an educator, I would recommend this picture book for preschools and kindergarten. It will prompt some good conversation and it’s cute.

This book looked delightful but the kindle version (arc) sent to us was unreadable. There were just little mixed up small squares (think 1,000 piece jigsaw) and the children were so disappointed. The tiny snatches of illustration looked good though, pity there was not one big enough to have an entire dog on. Will buy the real book instead.

"The best and worst things in the world is other dogs."

A lonely dachshund who is different from other dogs. Through his love of coffee and crosswords, isn't sure how to fit in with other dogs. He soon finds another dog with similar interests, where they end up becoming friends. This story helps teach children that it is ok to be different and what makes you different is what makes you special. You might not be the same as your friend but you are able to learn from each other.

The Story is perfect for any dog lovers. I loved the illustrations they are beautiful and they help bring the story to life. They are fun and charming. It is an easy read and ideal for children who are learning to read as there aren't a lot of words.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of the book for an honest review

This is such a wonderful book about being true to yourself and finding friends even when you are different! I love the story here about a dog that feels he doesn't connect with any of the other dogs at the dog park but unbeknownst to him, a friend has found him! Read this book to see the sill antics and hilarious illustrations that accompany this book about friendship and belonging!

This was a quirky-sweet story about a dog who likes to walk on his hind legs and use the toilet. Made me chuckle! Would recommend this to kids who like to do things a particular way.

The perfect way to introduce individuality to kids and the uniqueness that comes from being yourself! Teaching it’s okay to like things that are different and enjoy stuff others might find boring or weird. It was a delightful read with sweet illustrations!

This was a really cute and funny picture book with a great message. As we follow along this dachshund, we see how different he is from other dogs. He acts more like a human than a typical dog, which is humorous and creative. There are some pretty funny scenes. He tries to act like other dogs, but he can’t seem to fit in with them, even when he tries really hard. It’s not who he truly is. So he wonders if he’ll ever find someone who will accept him for the way that he is. Then, he does, and they have such a great time together.

This is the type of book with a message about being yourself and accepting who you are, even if you don’t fit in, but it didn’t feel preachy. They weaved it within the story in a fun and playful way. I’m glad he found a friend who accepted him and all his uniqueness.

This short book is easy to read and doesn’t have a lot of words, which is perfect for kids learning to read.

I also really loved the illustrations. They were beautiful and had a lot of detail. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

’The best and worst thing
In the world is other dogs.’

This is a picture book for young readers that is about a dog who sits on a windowsill watching the other dogs in the neighborhood playing, and how much fun they are having together, wishing he could be friends with other dogs and part of their pack. Still he isn’t a fan of dogs that bark whenever they like and pee wherever they want, and they are always running around on all fours, perhaps worst of all, they sniff each other’s behinds.

He, the dog who sits inside watching, wonders if there is something wrong with him, since he is nothing like them. He wishes he could find a friend more like himself, so he decides to copy what they do. But he fails when he tries to be like them, and so he goes home, sad that he will never fit in, and will just have to do what he has done and keep himself company, and be content with that.

When he hears a knock on his door, he finds another dog telling him that she saw him in the park, standing on two legs, and more or less lets herself inside, and they become friends.

The illustrations in this children’s book are filled with charm, some silly, some sweet, which really add to the story, as well as the message that it’s more than okay to be yourself, it’s wonderful!


Pub Date: 28 Nov 2023


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Pushkin Press, Pushkin Children’s Books

This book was so unique! I feel like I've never read a picture book like this, and I mean that in a good way. As a kid who also often felt different than others her age, I could relate to the main character. Sometimes you just feel like you're on a completely different page than everyone who you feel you are supposed to get along with, and it's hard. It's especially hard as a kid when you just don't understand why. I thought this book handled that topic really well, and I definitely think I would have liked this as a kid.

It's not easy to be a dachshund who doesn't fit in with all the other dogs—because you like coffee, funny hats, crosswords, which are not usual dogs' activities. It's actually very lonely.

Then one day, a dog who seems different from the others too notices the lonely dachshund, and they both decide to hangout together—allowing the other to be himself without the fear of being judged.

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It was a very lovely story, beautifully brought to life by the illustrations. It conveys a truly heartwarming and much-needed message about friendship, and finding people who will love you no matter what.

Such a sweet book.

This picture book tells the story of a dog that feels a little different from the other dogs in his neighbourhood.

We follow him as he tries but fails to fit in.

A like-minded dog friend shows up and this could be the companion he needs.

We are a house of dog lovers, so really enjoyed this story. It can also be used to teach children, who don't feel like they fit in with their peers, that they just need to find the right people.

I was not a huge fan of this book. The illustrations were fine but the story is a little too hyperbolized to hold my kids attention. It did tell the story of a quirky dog looking for a pack of his own and we all know the pain of trying to find where we belong.

I was given the chance to read this through netgalley for an honest and fair review.

I am not the primary audience for a picture book, but I definitely am when it comes to any book about dogs.

I loved the artwork... or what I could see of it. The PDF does a great disservice to the book as all the pictures seem to come in a kind of patchwork, making it hard to see exactly what is happening and appreciate the details.

I liked the message of finding your pack; however, I'm not sure if a coffee-drinking, crossword-solving pup is a character children could easily identify with.

I'm fully aware this is a picture book but the story lacked substance. I say this with the caveat that the file made it difficult to read. Still, I don't think I woukd choose this as a gift for young readers I know.

Thanks, NetGalley.

A lovely and sweet little story about being yourself and not having to change to fit in. You will always find someone who likes you for who you are, however different you feel you are to everyone else!

It also shares the message that being alone isn't necessarily a bad thing, life works in different ways for different people and you should always do what works for you and not what works for everybody else!

The illustrations are fun and cute and would really appeal to kids. It is a lovely message presented under a cute, fun design!

A Pack of Your Own is a lovely children’s book which focuses on the message that it’s okay to be different. The little dachshund doesn’t like “normal” dog things and he thinks he’ll be alone forever. Then he meets another dog that is different too! The illustrations are beautiful and this would be perfect for children under 8.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Children’s Hardcover books for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.