SNIFFER DOGS

A fizzy, fact-filled text about how dogs and their sniffing abilities help humans.

Dog-lover Castaldo takes a premise—dogs and their noses—and turns it into a whirlwind tour of all the ways dogs can help humans using their much more highly developed sense of smell. From search-and-rescue dogs to fire-accelerant–detection dogs, “eco dogs,” diabetes-alert dogs and more, readers learn about the fascinating ways dogs use their noses in human endeavors. Upbeat writing, excellent organization, and an overall design that includes high-quality color photos, sidebars, and alternating blue and yellow backgrounds all contribute to keep readers engaged. Castaldo presents an astonishing amount and range of information from the historical use of dogs by humans to the present—including poignant stories of the dogs who searched for survivors at the World Trade Center and after Mexico City’s 1985 earthquake—as well as broader topics such as how a dog’s nose works and how service dogs are trained. (Readers may be interested to learn that many of the best service dogs come from shelters.) A bibliography and other informational sources are included at the end of the book for readers who want to delve deeper.

An exemplary presentation of information in a lively, engaging way—readers will be left feeling awe for their canine companions and enthusiasm for their abilities.