Dog & baby are learning all about what it means to love. An adorable picture book for reading with a dog and a young child. For ages 0-3.

Dog Loves Baby would be a good addition to a baby/toddler library. It is quick, easy to follow, and has engaging pictures.

Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I recognized the author right away as soon as I saw the cover. I read the first book in the series, "Cat's First Baby," which was sweet and perfect in capturing the bewilderment of a cat when meeting this strange new (and adorable) addition to the house. This title picks up on that same general theme of a pet exploring basic concepts of the world around them via their relationship to their baby friend. In this book, it's where they find the true meaning of love; that realization is satisfying and heartwarming. I love seeing the ease and comfort between the baby and their pet dog as the latter ponders all of the ways that love shows up in their lives, and how they find something special about each one. Nelson's representation of the different sources of love, from physical feelings and sensations to memories, are each illustrated well, and children can talk about the different things that they associate with love. (The sound of the key turning in the lock was one of my favorite examples.). They'll also be drawn to the fact that, as with the other books, the pet is the narrator, which can open up conversations with children about the difference in the ways that animals and people see the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Quirk Books, for this DRC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

This book is so adorable and such a lighthearted read to share with baby. The photos are cute and colorful for baby and adult. Absolutely precious!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quirk publishing for an e arc of this little board book.
This is quite a cute little book with simple,clear illustrations, which are very fitting for the age range aimed at.
The exploration of what exactly love is, seen through the actions and eyes of dog and baby, as they go about their day, are nicely done , even if some of the suggestions are a little stretched at times, (glitter hearts in a window anyone?) and the, seemingly single parent, family set up around the baby is nicely depicted. Given that set up, perhaps marketing the title for Mother's Day is a better bet than Valentine's Day?

It's a cozy little read, but nothing very special and there's better out there on a similar theme.
Nice as a gift for a family with a new dog who have a new baby perhaps?

Age Range: 0-3 years | Theme: Love, friendship, pets and family
"Dogs Love Baby" is a thoughtful board book that uses the friendship between a dog and baby to explore the deeper concept of love itself. Natalie Nelson has created a perfect introduction to understanding what love means for the youngest readers, using vibrant colors and bold, uncluttered illustrations that immediately appeal to toddlers. Each page is visually clear and easy for young children to understand, with simple images that directly connect to the text, making it an excellent choice for children who are just beginning to associate words with pictures.
The simple wording is perfectly pitched for the board book audience, avoiding overwhelming language while helping children focus on the core message and build vocabulary naturally. What makes this book special is how it uses the baby and dog's shared experiences to explore what love actually feels like. Through activities like going on strolls, playing at the park, and eating together at home, Nelson shows young readers that love isn't just a word—it's something we experience.
This book shines during active play time rather than quiet bedtime reading, naturally encouraging children to think about what love means and how it shows up in daily life. This fosters early critical thinking skills as parents and caregivers find plenty of opportunities to extend conversations with questions like "What makes you feel at home?" or "When do you feel love?" The familiar activities—strolls, park visits, shared meals—make it easy for children to connect the story to their own experiences of comfort and belonging.
"Dogs Love Baby" works well for children who enjoy books about animals and parents looking to introduce concepts about love and friendship in an accessible way. It succeeds as both an engaging story and a gentle philosophical introduction for toddlers. Its combination of appealing visuals, simple text, and meaningful exploration of love makes it a board book that children will want to return to repeatedly. Recommended for ages 0 to 3, especially for interactive reading and discussion about feelings and belonging.

I enjoyed this sweet board book in which a dog welcomes us into his home (the rest of the family appears to be a single mother and her baby) and ponders the nature of love. Is it something you sniff? Is it something you chew? Is it a cookie?? and that sort of thing. It is lightly a Valentine's story in that it mentions celebrating a day of love and Valentine's decorations are visible inside the family's home and around the neighborhood, but it could also stand on its own as a book about love in general aside from these references it treats the subject broadly.

The text of this book is not earth-shattering, but is nicely enhanced by rich digital illustrations that mimic mixed media and incorporate a variety of textures and brush strokes. Together text and image create a lovely and stylish work that would be a welcome addition to board book collections. It is a nice combo work that functions as a holiday book and representation of diverse families (in this case, single parent and POC.)

This series is so wonderful and my favorite rec for people looking for baby shower gifts.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have read and purchased Natalie Nelson's "Baby's First Dog" and "Baby's First Cat" books for my library and I enjoyed the newest book, "Dog Loves Baby." Perfect for a board book, and I love that there is representation of a BIPOC family. I recommend this book for schools and libraries!

I think this is a super cute book! The illustrations are adorable. All the different expressions of love are so sweet. The ways that dogs and babies similarly interact with their environments are humorous. I would definitely suggest this book for any love-book seeking family!