A cute story about a dog that only wants to be friends with everyone but doesn't quite understand why no one is willing to play with him, until a squirrel finally lets on that he doesn't APPEAR as the most friendly pooch on the playground due to his insistent need to growl.

But with the help of some animal friends this pooch is able to learn how to make friends all across the neighborhood.

I understand the what this book is trying to do & the meaning behind it, but I don't think we should be teaching children that dogs growling means it's friendly & approachable.

Jake is a misunderstood dog who needs love and understanding! I love this story and the message that it brings! This book should be on every shelf!

I have actually read this book to my daughter MULTIPLE times and she loves it! (it helps her dad is named Jake, lol!). It's a great book to understand both sides - sometimes you are misunderstood based off your mannerisms but you should also see it from others points of view! The pictures are beautifully illustrated, as well!

It was a very heartwarming book on how we can teach children about differences and how differences could be easily misunderstood. I love the art style and the color palette!!!
I think it would be perfect if there are more activities or practices for the kids. but overall it was very enjoyable~

Jake the Growling Dog by Samantha Shannon is a cute and wholesome read about the importance of understanding that everyone is different, and that being kind and accepting can change someone’s life. It features cute illustrations by Kerrie Joyce, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

The book even features “Jake’s Loving-Kindness” activity about practicing mindfulness, which I’m a huge advocate for within schools. Overall, this was a very quick and simple read with a thoughtful extension activity that can be facilitated in a classroom or within the family!

Thank you, NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Samantha Shannon for this ARC of Jake the Growling Dog.

I read this with my daughter. She picked it because her daddy’s name is Jake! The more I looked at the illustrations, the dog also kind of looks like our dog.

This book’s main purpose is its message. Jake is a dog that growls all the time, not because he is angry, just because that’s how he is! Even when he’s happy he lets out a growl. Growling is Jake’s form of communication. Because Jake growls, he is misunderstood. Everyone thinks he is a mean dog. In reality, Jake wants friends and he wants to play.

This taught the message that everyone is different and has their own quirks. Jake just expresses himself differently than everyone else, just as we as humans have our own quirks that others might misinterpret. My daughter and I throughly enjoyed Jake’s story and will be purchasing this book for our home collection! Thank you for allowing us to read this one.

I enjoyed this book and my mum and dad’s dog Abby is just like Jake!
She does growl quite a bit and she is the only dog we have known that does it so much.
She growls when you stroke her, eats her dinner, growls when she is happy and wagging her tail and really excited so this was a great book to talk to my daughter about why Abby does it, and that she does it too when she is happy.
The illustrations were nice and clear too and they really suited the book.
It is 3.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 4 stars for Amazon and Goodreads – highly recommended!

Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with this beautiful children's book. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is great. It teaches children to be kind but I think adults also need to learn about this thing since Jake's uniqueness is very often misunderstood. We need to be more caring and kind to not judge people by their outlook or the way they act and talk. I love this book so much! A great start to my day.

Children’s picture book about first impressions not always being true and being kind about others unique ways of expressing themselves. Nice story, although the text isn’t the easiest to follow. Some adult help might be needed. But the artwork expresses the story perfectly, so helps counter this. Behind the story is a useful way to have a discussion with children about how we view ourselves, and how others might view differently the way we interact. Some nice activities at the end to help with this discussion. Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

This is just the cutest story. Jake is a sweet, friendly, happy dog, who has the unfortunate habit of growling in response to almost anything - including when he is happy about something!

He is puzzled that people seem to be afraid of him, and other animals are too. They are unable to look beyond surface appearances, and that is precisely what this book gently teaches young readers to do.

By seeing how the squirrel, Neet, works with Jake to help him communicate better, and by understanding how the other animals begin to change their perceptions of him accordingly, children can learn to see beyond first impressions or odd habits to the real personality that lies beneath.

This encourages them to give others a chance rather than rush to judgement. This is a lovely story with very nice illustrations, and an important message too. It can help develop empathy and loving kindness skills among young readers.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial!

Jake the Growling Dog is about loving-kindness and diversity! I thought this would also be great for clinicians/teachers working with children who makes vocalizations--perfect way to teach children about patience and acceptance. The artwork and rhyming are a PLUS and the instruction at the end regarding loving-kindness is wonderful for both child and adult.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Beautiful illustrations like little paintings and a story about acceptance. I loved the rhyming :).

Jake is a misunderstood dog with a unique trait.

As soon as others are kind to him, take the time to get to know him and accept him, he can be a happy dog again with lots of friends to play with!

This teaches kids to be kind, to accept others who are different and that it’s okay to be different.

Most children love dogs which made this book about being kind to others more fun. It can be difficult to make friends when others find you unapproachable. This would be an excellent book to read to shy kids helping them understand how to make friends. Something as simple as smiling instead of growling (looking mean) can make all the difference.

As a dog lover, I really loved this book. I was so sad for Jake because he was so misunderstood, but was happy when he found a friend to help him. This book teaches the lesson of being kind to yourself and others and includes some information about kindness at the end, which I really loved. My 5 year old also enjoyed the book!