The Bookshop Dog

by Cynthia Rylant

Everyone who comes to Martha Jane's Bookshop comes to see Martha Jane. But Martha Jane is not the owner. She's the owner's dog! When the owner has to go to the hospital to get her tonsils out, the whole town begins to fight over the chance to take care of Martha Jane. Rylant is the Newbery-winning author of Dog Heaven. Full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Animals, Fiction, Family, Books About Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

Cynthia Rylant is an American author, poet, and librarian whose deeply felt books for children and young adults have made her one of the most beloved voices in contemporary literature. Writing across picture books, novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, she has published more than one hundred works, many of them rooted in memory, family, solitude, and the emotional landscapes of ordinary life. Her fiction often draws from her upbringing in West Virginia and reflects the textures of Appalachian life with unusual tenderness and clarity.
Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.
Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.
Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, this one simultaneously made my heart sing and nearly brought me to tears with emotion.

This is a very sweet story, and as a dog lover and bookshop lover it was perfect for me. And, having seen a wonderful movie yesterday, wonderful except for a sad dog scene, it was just what I needed to read a happy dog story. Of course, I’d love to have a dog and a bookshop, so I’m a bit sad that I don’t.

The illustrations are good. They’re bright and colorful and bold and detailed, and I think most kids will find them appealing. I hadn’t known that this author was also an illustrator.

This book can be appreciated by a wide range of readers/listeners, I’d say any age. It’s good for read aloud and independent readers of all ages. I wish all bookstores had resident dogs or cats; I love the ones that do.

I’m hoping it’s because this book was published pre-Goodreads that it has so few ratings/reviews. I’m hoping that more members have read it but just not shelved it on the site. It deserves to be more widely read.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha Jane becomes a fixture at her human companion's bookshop in this picture-book from the Newbery Medal-winning Cynthia Rylant, providing the patrons with just the right kind of canine love. Everyone in town, from the policeman to the school band conductor, comes to love the sweet little pooch, who manages to enter into the spirit of any activity - singing, fetching, doing tricks - in which the people around her are involved. But when Martha Jane's person (and the bookshop owner) must go into the hospital for an operation, trouble ensues - not because no one can be found to look after the town's favorite dog, but because there are too many people volunteering...

Having associated Cynthia Rylant almost exclusively with her writing, whether that be middle grade novels like Missing May , or early readers such as Henry and Mudge , I was surprised to discover in The Bookshop Dog that she is also an artist. Her illustrations here are colorful, done in a naive, childlike style that will appeal to kids. The story itself is engaging, sure to please young dog lovers, who will long for the chance to meet Martha Jane themselves. All in all, a sweet little tale of a winsome canine, and the people who love her. As someone who always likes to find animals hanging out in the bookshops I frequent - until very recently, the one around the corner from work had a resident cat - I approve!

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story about a perfect dog and the people who love her. The illustrations are very simple but they work well. My only complaint is that the only woman in it is the bookshop owner and she's the one who gets sick and needs help. I wish even one of the other main players was a woman, too.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because it has two of my three most favoritest things.

[Mum Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story - read it to my youngest grandson while visiting.

[Aneesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not appreciate the wedding at the end

[Nicole (Stop Staring At My Books Jr.) Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

-i give The Bookshop Dog 4 stars.
-I loved this book because it was a sweet and cute story, it made me laugh too!
-The drawings were friendly like a child would draw.
-I would recommend this book to anyone who likes dogs, and it is a nice story for kids to read.
-I didn't give it 5 stars because of the silly fighting, and ending.

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't even know I had this book! It recently appeared on someone's Good Read list, and I thought to myself I needed to get it. But today, as I continued to catalogue all of my books into a database, I came upon it and was pleasantly surprised. What a delightful book about Mary Jane, a dog who accompanies his owner everywhere, including to the Bookstore named in her honor.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's going to be a sad day at the Eggers when I have to wrestle this book out of the hands of my 5 year old and return it to the lib. Nate absolutely loves this book and he dies laughing (yes, every single time) when everyone starts fighting over who gets to dog sit for Martha Jane. I think it's charming and very readable so I don't mind having this one in my lap night after night. 5 stars from both Nate and Mom :)

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bookshop owner loves her dog, Martha Jane, so much that she takes her everywhere. She even takes her to work and renames her bookshop Martha Jane’s Bookshop. Everyone loves to come into the store: first to see Martha Jane, then to buy a book. But when the shop owner has to go to the hospital, who is there to watch Martha Jane?

[Myka Ellenwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: Prek-5
I enjoyed this book. I think it is a cute story that is entertaining for all ages. This story can be easily read by readers and read to for the younger kiddos. It teaches the importance of being nice and community as well. Plus it is about a dog and the dog does not talk!

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute little tale has more to it than meets the eye. It is about community and disagreements that can arise even among friends, but in the end, helping each other out in times of need is what is important.

[AD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not even a dog person, but I loved this book about a dog, Martha Jane, and her owner. The owner manages a book shop, and because she loves Martha Jane so much, the dog comes to work with her every day. And so, the whole town falls in love with Martha Jane too!

[Christina Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all time FAVORITE children’s book. My students love hearing about how much everyone loves Martha Jane. I love the sweet kindness that everyone shows to her and how everyone wants to care for her. Neat ending, too!

[Carrie Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprise romantic twist! Sweet and real.

[Ms. Tongate, TLC Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute picture book for all readers and dog owners!

[Naziha · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 children's book, no notes. Emphasizes the beauty of a community that looks out for one another. Cute dog and cute story.

[Spudpuppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHE LOVED HAWAII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before Barbara Maitlan and David LaRochelle's The Bookstore Valentine and Vicki Myron's Dewey, there was this, The Bookshop Dog. This is sweet little story about Martha Jane and her nameless owner. They own and run a cute, little bookshop. Martha Jane wins the hearts of all she meets and helps her owner find love.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites as a kid! Tugs at my heart strings.

[Elizabeth Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bookshop Dog is about a nice old librarian lady who has a very loving dog named Martha. The whole town loves her dog and this one guy always gives her a bone when he sees her. Later on in the story, the librarian has to go in for surgery to get her appendix out. The dog is very worried about her and wonders who will take care of him. However, the whole town comes to take care of Martha and make sure she is ok until her owner gets back. I love this book and remember reading it as a child. I loved the pictures too because they were warm and made me feel happy. I think this book could be used in a classroom because it teaches a lesson about community and people supporting one another. It could be used in a lesson about fictional picture books.

Rylant, C. (1996). The bookshop dog. New York, NY: Blue Sky Press/Scholastic.

[Alison Zak · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book that Rylant illustrated herself and I have to say I enjoyed it, especially as a point of contrast to her more well-known works. A straight-forward story about a beloved dog in a bookshop, the colorful and vibrant illustrations add a lot of charm and fun to the story. My students loved the repetition of the characters (postman, policeman, band director) and enjoyed the mushy ending. If you are doing an author study on Cynthia Rylant, this is a good one to include as a discussion starter.

[Yvonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book read with my daughter. Was excited to see this author as I have Cat Heaven and loved that book. Although the images are simple and colourful and the basic storyline is a good one - I think there were parts silly and a bit sexist. If we want children to grow up without putting people into specific gender roles then choose the books wisely. While it may seem silly the fighting and make children laugh it isn't a good example. Also the ending was a typical fairy tale one. Disappointing storyline for both of us.

[Tori Davenport]

This book was pretty cute. It was very simple and could be easily read by a smaller child, with some help here and there. I feel as though this book would be more geared towards kinds who like cute stories and kids who like dogs. It is a story about a dog and her owner who has to go to the doctors and the whole town fights over who gets to keep the dog. I feel like it could help kids see that fighting does not solve everything and that it sometimes helps not to say anything at all.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great companion text to The Cookie Store Cat. There's a scene in that book where the cat is walking up and down the street,saying good morning at the neighboring shops. The bookshop is one of those stores.My second graders love this book because it has a lot of humor and a little gooey romance that makes them groan.

[Dayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm afraid I didn't like this one as much as it's counterpart, the Cookie Store Cat. Maybe it was Rylant's illustrations. They weren't to my taste. And I also think the story was just not as charming.

[Ealthafer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute book espically for dog lovers. My class read this book to work on finding out the main idea of a story without knowing the title because the story is pretty straight forward. This book is deffintly age appropraite for kindergartners but I would probably not go past 2nd grade with it.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

very cute story. I think it'd make a nice storytime for those with longer attention span. The pictures are very childlike.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy this one as much as the other Cynhia Rylant we read. Cute enough premise, but a bit long and kinda predictable. Not crazy about the simplistic illustrations either.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story by Cynthia Rylant