Paw Prints Column – Sedona Red Rock News

Published 7/10/26

Deb Grafe Columnist | Volunteer – Humane Society of Sedona

It’s Summer in Sedona. Lizards dart across warm sandstone and patio walls. Ravens and hawks ride the thermals above the red rocks. Hummingbirds zip through blooming desert gardens and feeders. By midmorning most of us, pets included, want to be inside where it’s cool. A book becomes a small oasis, a quiet place to rest. 

For all the bright, curious kids who’ve joined us at Kids & Kritters Camp, this summer reading list begins with you. You learned how to care for animals, read their body language, and be gentle and brave at once. You discovered that animals listen with their whole hearts. Now summer invites you to keep exploring through stories filled with dogs, cats, and others carrying their quiet magic. 

 But this list isn’t just for younger animal lovers. It’s also for teens growing into their own reading habits and adults who know animals often teach the deepest truths. Whether you’re a kid, a young adult discovering new authors, or a grown‑up settling in after a long day, these books offer something for every reader who loves animals. Below is your summer reading guide, loosely organized by age group and filled with animal‑centered stories that pair beautifully with a quiet afternoon and a beloved critter nearby. 

Children’s Books 

Dogs 

• Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary— classic boy‑and‑dog adventures. 
• The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey— iconic Golden Book charm. 
• Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell— kindness and oversized loyalty. 

Cats 

• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss— mischief and imagination. 
• Jenny and the Cat Club by Esther Averill— whimsical feline adventures. 
• Socks by Beverly Cleary— a cat adjusting to a growing family. 
• Millions of Cats by WandaGág — lyrical, old‑world storytelling. 

Both 

• The Lighthouse Family by Cynthia Rylant— gentle animal friendships in a seaside world. 

Other 

• Verdi by Janell Cannon— a young python resisting change in a lush artsy rainforest. 

Young Readers 

Dogs 

• Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls— devotion, grit, and heartbreak. 
• A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron— one dog’s search for meaning. 
• A Dog Named Skip by Willie Morris— a boy’s childhood shaped by his loyal dog. 
• The Art of Racing in the Rain (YA) by Garth Stein— Enzo’s philosophical voice for teens. 

• Muffy the Psychic Chiweenie by Philsha Feathers Russell (Beloved Vet Tech at HSS)

— a sweet, intuitive chiweenie whose uncanny sensitivity helps her family through emotional moments. 

The Un‑Common Raven — Diane Phelps Budden (Sedona) 

A beautifully researched look at raven intelligence and behavior. 

Cats

• VarjakPaw by S. F. Said — martial‑arts‑infused feline heroism. 
• Coraline by Neil Gaiman— the black cat who guides Coraline through danger. 
• The Warriors series by Erin Hunter— epic clan‑based feline mythology. 
• The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth— where a small cat transforms an artist’s sense of mercy. 

Both 

• Tailchaser’s Song by Tad Williams— animal‑world lore echoing canine myths. 
• The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford— three pets survive the wilderness to return home. 
• Adventures of Salt & Soap by Lori Rome— two stray dogs rescued in Grand Canyon find adventure from rim to river. 
• Our Furry, Feathered, Scaly Friends Never Leave Us, by our own Vet Tech, PhilshaFeathers Russell — a gentle guide to facing a pet’s illness and loss with love, ritual, and comfort. 

Other 

• The Lizard of Oz by Richard S. Cohen— a magical lizard helps a boy discover courage. 
• Hootby Carl Hiaasen — kids protect burrowing owls from development site. 
• Shade: A Story About a Very Smart Raven by Diane Phelps Budden (Sedona)—a rescued raven trained for search‑and‑rescue helps find a lost hiker. 
• The Boy Who Loved Snakes by Patricia Reilly Giff —caring for a misunderstood classroom snake. 

Adult Books 

Dogs 

• Dog Stars by Peter Heller— post‑apocalyptic survival anchored by a man and his dog. 
• Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck— an American odyssey with his dog Charley. 
• Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight— devotion and return. 
• The Best Dog in the World edited by Various Authors— fourteen heartfelt essays celebrating the dogs who shaped their lives. 

Cats 

• A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman— a grumpy man softened by a stray cat. 
• My Beloved Monster by Caleb Carr— the remarkable rescue cat Masha. 
• Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot— whimsical poems that inspired Cats. 

• The Cat Who… series by Lilian Jackson Braun — feline detective mysteries. 

• The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa — a cat’s road trip revealing quiet devotion. 

• Jennie by Paul Gallico— a boy transformed into a cat learns tenderness. 
• Dewey: The Small‑Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron— the true story of a rescued kitten turned library’s beloved ambassador. 

Both 

• Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami— cats as metaphysical guides; dogs appear symbolically. 

Other

• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt— a grieving widow and a clever octopus form an unlikely friendship. 

Mark your calendar for exciting upcoming events! 

• Empty the Shelters July 5–26, with open adoptions each Fri–Sun. Part of a nationwide reduced‑fee adoption event created by the Bissell Pet Foundation. 
• July 25, Adopt Joy at PetSmart, check out adoptable pets.
• August 15 We celebrate our 60th Anniversary with an Open House featuring open adoptions, shelter tours, history presentation, Q&A sessions, silent auction, food truck, music, and more. 

More information at www.humanesocietyofsedona.org