• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 5 to 12

A playful yet scientifically precise exploration of a dog’s five senses that will help middle grade readers better appreciate the canine point of view (for ages 8-12)

Did you know that dogs have millions more olfactory receptors than humans and that their noses are built to reserve some air that they breathe in just for smelling? So why the butt sniffing? Actually, dogs discern a lot of information about another dog from a whiff of that region, including the dog’s health and eating habits.

In five chapters that explore each of a dog’s senses, and an additional chapter that questions whether dogs might have senses that people don’t, this middle-grade nonfiction book explains canine senses from both evolutionary and scientific perspectives. Sidebars offer additional information throughout the text, including hands-on activities that let readers experience a dog’s sensory abilities for themselves.

Written with an approachable tone and loaded with fascinating facts, Making Sense of Dog Senses presents readers with both curious and practical insights into their canine pals’ behavior.

Stephanie Gibeault is an award-winning freelance writer who lives just outside Toronto, Canada. As both a biologist and a professional dog trainer, she’s been swarmed by monkeys, grumbled at by gorillas, and covered in fur and drool. Now Stephanie writes books for children that feature tooty humor or science. She’s usually found reading her latest work out loud and laughing at her own silly jokes. She hopes her neighbors can’t hear! Visit her at stephaniegibeault.com and on Twitter @GibeaultWrites.

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RAZ LATIF has contributed to numerous publications including Chickadee, The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, and Scientific American. Odd Couples is his debut as a children’s book illustrator, but it definitely won’t be his last. Raz lives in Toronto, Ontario.

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• Commended, Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List
• Commended, A Junior Library Guild selection
• Commended, Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Award Honour Book
• Commended, Best Books for Kids & Teens (starred selection)
• Commended, Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2024

"A highly appealing book!"

Canadian Review of Materials

"The author tucks in several very simple but ingeniously designed ways for hands-on readers to get a feeling for how dog and human senses differ."

Kirkus Reviews

"A delight for readers young and old—sure to spark a love of science and a deeper understanding of the fascinating minds we share our homes with.”

Dr. Brian Hare, author of the New York Times Bestseller, Genius of Dogs

"This book would be a good option for kids with questions after observing dog behavior or families considering adding a new pet to the family. Although there are plenty of informational picture books about dogs, the focus on the science of dog senses makes this one unique and worth adding to a collection."

Youth Services Book Review

"Entertaining and aptly named ... Who knew a book about rods and cones, cochlea, and secret nose compartments could be so accessible and fun? Dog lovers of all ages, prepare to nerd out!"

Shelf Awareness

"A fun, quirky book about dogs and their many abilities; great for animal lovers, young and old."

School Library Journal