Review: Planet of The Dogs

Thank you to the author, Robert J. McCarty, for sending this book for my review.
Author: Robert J. McCarty
Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty
Genre: Children's Chapter Book; Fantasy
Rating: 4.5/5
Grade: A = All ages

Planet of the Dogs is the first book in the Planet of the Dogs series. Castle in the Mist is the second installment (my review soon to come), and Snow Valley Heroes: A Christmas Tale is the third. (Read my review )



In Planet of the Dogs we are introduced to the world long, long, ago, before there were dogs on earth. The dogs have their own planet, where they live in a healthy and helpful society which is presided over by the dog council. When they find out that the people in the peaceful villages of the earth are under threat of attack from the warriors of Stone City, the dogs all agree it is time to act. They have observed enough about the planet earth to know that the adults will not accept them very readily; but the children, who are more open, and can even understand the language of the dogs, should be approached first. Can the dogs win over the people of earth so that they will trust them and let them help, or will the dogs fail in their mission, and the fierce warriors overcome the village?



This is a great story, full of adventure, fun, and fantasy. What child could help but be delighted and enthralled by the thought of dog biscuit trees, and fields of flowers which unbelievably transport you to another world, a world inhabited only by dogs. There is a perfect amount of conflict in the book to keep the story moving along, and yet the kindness and love of the dogs is always there to counteract the encroaching danger.

The book also contains very detailed and stunning drawings, which add to the overall atmosphere of the book.

I would reccomend this book for children from ages four to twelve, and all dog lovers.


To learn more about these books, visit the website: Planet of the Dogs . Also see the Barking Planet Children's Books blog.