Leland P. Gamson Books in Order

This rhyming picture book imagines the person a beloved dog might become, from a driver or teacher to a singer or sailor. Familiar canine companionship inspires playful questions about human jobs, hobbies, and personalities.

Anna wishes her dog Polly could talk, convinced it would make life better. Her father considers what a talking dog might actually say, helping her imagine how the change could turn everyday life upside down.

A young wolf carries food through the forest to her sick grandmother, despite warnings to avoid humans. A trapper's friendly manner conceals a dangerous plan, reversing the familiar roles in the Little Red Riding Hood story.

Different dog breeds take on familiar human activities, from eating noodles to mailing a letter. Rhymes and illustrations invite children to imagine what their own canine companions might enjoy doing in a world of people.

A picture book asks what a cat would be like as a person and whether owner and pet would still get along. The playful premise invites young readers to imagine feline personalities in a human world.

A young donkey and his mother experience Jesus's arrival in Jerusalem, followed by his persecution and resurrection. Told through animal witnesses, the story invites children to consider the Easter events from an unfamiliar perspective.

Israel sends Samson alone to compete at the Greek Olympics, where confident athletes dismiss him. Facing unfair rules as well as sporting challenges, he relies on his extraordinary strength while refusing to compromise his faith.

Miriam is delighted to receive a lamb to raise and soon grows attached to Tamim. Her parents must find a way to explain that he is intended for Passover sacrifice, threatening the bond she treasures.

Nikud and his friends enjoy life on a pony farm but wish they could be more than ordinary ponies. Meeting children with special needs gives them a new way to understand what makes them special.

Seeing a photograph of the grandfather she never met leads Hannah to ask where he has gone. Her grandmother introduces ideas about death, memory, and Christian beliefs about heaven through their conversation about the family's loss.

Dogs bark to communicate different needs, wishes, and reactions. Through rhymes and illustrations, this picture book considers what they may be saying, helping young readers connect familiar sounds with the behavior of their canine companions.

The story of Jesus's birth is retold in verse inspired by the rhythm of a familiar Christmas poem. The illustrated account introduces young children to the Nativity through a form designed for reading aloud.

Children and their dogs share a day of familiar activities, discovering ways they are alike and ways they differ. The illustrated comparison encourages young readers to notice the connections between people and their animal companions.

A puppy arrives at school expecting to learn human skills such as shopping, cooking, and reading. A rhyming account reveals the different lessons a young dog really needs, including how to behave around others.

Toby works constantly to keep a New England lighthouse shining, with a dog and cat for company. When a fishing boat breaks apart in a storm, his sense of purpose confronts the danger of attempting a rescue.

A mischievous puppy explains the chewing, nipping, and other trouble that exasperates its humans. Speaking in rhyme, the young dog asks for patience and understanding while it learns how to live with its family.

Living alone on the streets of a war-torn country, Samuel longs for a dog to ease his loneliness. A puppy he cannot quite catch leads him into unexpected encounters, raising questions about where it is taking him.

Malgrim has a loving family and a comfortable home until street dogs mock his sheltered life. Tempted by their company, the curious puppy faces a choice about belonging and what he might leave behind.

Sweetums is content being the only cat in her home until a stray kitten named Butternut arrives. Fearing she will lose her human's attention, she struggles with jealousy and the unwelcome prospect of becoming a big sister.

This rhyming picture book imagines a horse as a human with hobbies, preferences, and talents. Questions about dancing, computers, and sports encourage readers to connect familiar equine behavior with the possibilities of a person's life.

Malgrim's former street-dog companions want loving homes like his. With help from Malgrim and his sister Gracey, they use kindness and social media to seek adoption while trying to preserve the friendships that made them a gang.