The Bedtime Book for Dogs Offers a Fun and Unique Way to Learn to Read

New York, NY, August 31, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Bedtime Book for Dogs is the first children’s book of its kind: Adopting a recent University of California School of Veterinary Medicine study that shows children who read to their pets improve their reading skills up to 30% faster than those who don’t, author Bruce Littlefield has created a book that allows kids to experience a fun and novel way to learn: by literally, reading to their dogs.

“My dog Westminster gave me the idea for the book,” says Littlefield. “One day as I was working on another book project, he tapped me on the leg with his paw. When I asked the typical questions: ‘Outside? Toy? Treat?’ there was no response, but when I asked, ‘You want me to write you a book?’ he wagged his tail enthusiastically. It was an ‘aha!’ moment.”

The Bedtime Book for Dogs tells an entertaining tale that children and parents alike will enjoy: a dog decides to take himself for a walk and discovers that life is not as fun without a friend along But this is a children’s book that dogs will find joy in listening to as well. Littlefield tailored the book to pique the interest of a furry friend by filling it with vocabulary and images dogs respond to. “I thought through every aspect of the book--from dogs favorite words to the colors used in the illustrations. I incorporated lots of green and blue, as dogs see most vividly in those colors,” he explains.

The best part of The Bedtime Book for Dogs? Its unquestionable ability to boost a child’s reading skills and self-assurance. Researchers have found multiple reasons for the vast improvement that comes with reading to pets, including an animal’s tolerant and loving nature. According to University of California lead study researcher Martin Smith, “The dogs, in contrast to a human, don’t judge the individual, aren’t grading the individual, and hopefully that allows the children to build some confidence in their reading skills.” At the completion of Smith’s study, 75 percent of the parents reported that their children read aloud more frequently and with greater confidence (Pat Bailey, UC Davis).

The Bedtime Book for Dogs is available for purchase through Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and many local bookstores. For more information, please visit The Bedtime Book for Dogs website (www.bedtimebookfordogs.com), or follow Bruce Littlefield on Facebook and Twitter (@brucelitlefield).

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