This dog loving new title from National Geographic Kids was not one I could review alone. Fortunately, I had my canine companion, Tatum, nearby to give me a hand. She was more interested in sniffing the pages than reading, but I persevered. Tatum’s comprehension is a bit slow at times, but finally declared she was ready to try out the 22 activities.

DOG SCIENCE UNLEASHED uses a panel of fifteen different young dog owners who demonstrate the steps to complete each activity with their own dogs. The preparation and descriptions of the task are clear and concise. The four chapters are filled with the reasoning behind dog behaviors and how they interact with the world. Here’s a little of what to expect:

CHAPTER 1 SNIFFING OUT SENSES—How do dogs smell, feel, look, taste, and hear the world around them? We especially enjoyed the experiment on how dogs see color and finding Tatum’s favorite smell (A tie between mint mouthwash and Teriyaki sauce).

CHAPTER 2 FIT SCIENCE—The Science Behind Your Healthy Hound— Dogs are made to move, and there are many similarities and differences with their owners. Not only with the way they walk but in how they breathe. I discovered my pup has an unusual walk known as pacing.

CHAPTER 3 CLEVER CANINES—Inside the Minds of Dogs—Just what is your dog thinking when they look at you with those inquiring eyes? Find out how fast your dog learns and whether they are left or right pawed. Also discover whether your dog sees themselves in the mirror. Great stuff!

CHAPTER 4  PAMPERED POOCHES—Using Science to Care for your Canine— Keep your dog’s skin and hair healthy with a variety of activities. Did you know dogs have unique nose prints?

At the end of each colorful chapter is an In The Lab feature where you learn about doggy MRI’s, dog’s donating blood, their pee attraction. and the way scientists are studying to help dogs to stop itching.

Fun, informative, and a book no dog lover should be without! My canine reviewer seems to agree, exhausted after our morning together interacting with DOG SCIENCE UNLEASHED.

Coming up next week is another MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY.

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count–but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you’re featuring and a link to your blog at gpcolo (at) gmail (dot) com

 (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and please don’t forget to say what book you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.

Thank you so much for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and for spreading the middle grade love!

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.