As a kid, one of my favorite times of the day was when Mom read bedtime stories. And some of my favorite books Mom read to us for our bedtime story featured Newfoundland dogs. And horses. But since this is a dog blog and not a horse or child blog, I can’t exactly share those in this book roundup.
Reading before bed is still something I look forward to every night! I hope your children love these books as much as my sister and I did!
A Star in the Storm
A RISKY SECRET
All non-sheepherding dogs have been outlawed from the rocky coastal village where Maggie lives. Unwilling to give up her beloved Newfoundland, Sirius, Maggie defies the law and hides Sirius away.
But when a steamer crashes into the rocks during a violent storm and starts to sink with a hundred passengers on board, Maggie faces a difficult choice. She knows Sirius can help rescue the people trapped on the ship, but bringing him out of hiding would put his own life in jeopardy. Is Maggie’s brave dog a big enough hero to save the desperate passengers — and himself?
Thunder from the Sea
A boy builds a life-changing bond with his dog in this adventure story from the author of Star in the Storm.
It’s 1929, and thirteen-year-old Tom Campbell has always wanted a real family with a real house and a dog of his very own. Since he was three years old, the only home he has ever known has been the Mission orphanage.
When he is sent to live and work with fisherman Enoch and his wife, Tom finally sees his dream within reach. And when he rescues a Newfoundland dog in the middle of a terrifying squall, Tom feels as if both he and the dog, which he names Thunder, have found a place to call home at last.
But when Enoch’s wife becomes pregnant and it looks like Thunder’s owner might be found, Tom’s wonderful new world is turned upside down. Will the Murrays still want Tom? And will Tom be forced to give up his beloved Thunder?
Seamans Journal: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark
The award-winning tale of the journey of Lewis and Clark. When Seaman, a Newfoundland dog, met his new master in August of 1803, he didn’ t know that he would spend the next three years on an adventure of more than 8,000 miles to the Pacific Ocean and back. Seaman’s Journal is based on actual entries in Meriwether Lewis s journal describing Seaman, and it presents an account of the Lewis and Clark expedition as seen from the viewpoint of Lewis’s dog. Join Seaman before the trip as preparations take place. Meet the Native American guides and friends they encountered along the way. And read of Seaman’s love for Sacajawea, the Shoshone woman whose husband acted as interpreter and guide.
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Sirius the Star Dog
In this story, Nathan, a young Black crew member on a coastal schooner, forms a friendship with a huge Newfoundland dog named Sirius. Newfies are water dogs, strong swimmers famed for their instinctive ability to rescue foundering swimmers and even small boats. When Nathan’s schooner is wrecked on ledges near Maine’s infamous Boon Island light one dark, windy night, the dog’s bravery and loyalty are put to the test. The lifeboat full of exhausted sailors must somehow cross the raging surf to reach the safety of the lighthouse keeper’s home, and only Sirius can get them safely through.
The Wreck of the Ethie
In 1919, just before Christmas, the S.S. Ethie sets sail for St. John’s Harbor, but a violent winter storm casts the steamship onto the rocky cliffs of northwest Newfoundland, threatening the passengers’ survival
Ninety-two passengers and crew, all eager to be reunited with family for the holidays, are now at the mercy of the stormy sea. Seeing the wrecked ship off the coast, a fishing family sends their dog Skipper, a hardworking and courageous Newfoundland, to brave the icy and dangerous waters to carry a lifeline from the sinking ship to shore.
In this minute-by-minute fictionalized account of the S.S. Ethie’s dramatic voyage, Hillary Hyland vividly brings the adventure to life, showing the spirit of survival amongst the passengers and crew, as well as the strength and determination of a poor fishing family and their courageous dog to save those ninety-two souls.
Looking for more kids books with Newfoundland dogs? Check out our Amazon storefront collection.
Sailors Choice
Captain Wight lives in an area of Newfoundland where dogs are not allowed, so on his next seal hunt he will have to find a new master for Sailor, his huge Newfoundland dog. Soon after the spring voyage into the icy sea begins, Sailor himself decides that his owner will be Jamie, the young stowaway on Captain Wight’s ship. — More than anything Jamie yearns for the exciting life of the seal hunter, and it seems that his dream will come true when the captain offers to adopt him and teach him the secrets and the craft of “swiling.” Confronted with seals for the first time, however, Jamie realizes that he must relinquish all ideas of a life with Captain Wight. But Sailor refuses to give up his new friend, and the problems of Jamie’s future and of the dog in Spanish Choice Cove are both ingeniously solved, thanks to Sailor’s choice.
Old Dog Cora and the Christmas Tree
Christmas is coming, and it’s time for the family to head into the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree. Cora, a Newfoundland dog, is ready to wear her old red harness so she can haul the tree home as she’s done every year. But Mom and Dad think Cora’s too old, and only Minx and Ebony, Cora’s daughter and granddaughter, are fitted with their harnesses. Luckily, young Susan suggests Cora still come along even if she can’t haul. After the family finds the tree and cuts it down, Cora is ready to get to work. But something’s wrong; they’re starting without her! Cora doesn’t understand, but she’s determined to take the lead and bring the tree home.
P.S. Because I loved them so much, the horse books were the ponies of Chincoteague Island
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