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Dog Beach

By Julie Murphy and Annie White (NLA Publishing, 2024)

Shortlist, 2025 ABIA Small Publishers’ Children’s Book of the Year

Shortlist, 2025 BookPeople Awards Children’s Book of the Year

Look who’s at the dog beach!

Strong dogs, long dogs,

Playing dogs, staying dogs,

Black dogs, brown dogs, go-to-town dogs,

Bit-of-a-clown dogs, upside-down dogs…

Going to the beach is a big part of Australian culture and, for many people, so are dogs! This book doubles the fun, celebrating all of the different types of dogs that Australians love.

With bright and dreamy illustrations by Annie White, this short, rhythmic story will capture the attention of all beach and dog loving children, and even their parents!

Educational backmatter includes images from the National Library of Australia’s collections.

DOG BEACH trailer by Annie White (1 min)

Patricia Newman’s LitLinks blog with student activities for DOG BEACH here.

Reviews

“…perfect for any young dog lover aged 1+” – Readings Books, 2024

“With its sun-soaked illustrations and clever rhyme scheme, this cheeky celebration of all dog-kind is sure to be enjoyed by the whole family.” – BookPeople Kids’ Reading Guide Summer 2024-2025

“The text is great fun to read and share with repetition & rhyme + the multiplicity of lovable & amazing dogs to adore.” – National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature, X, 2024

“…a reassuring story that highlights the idea of fun and joy of life and play.” – The Book Muse, 2024

“… that same delightful rhythmic quality of Lynley Dodd’s books … a big barking 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶 rating.” – Sue Warren, Teacher-Librarian, 2024

Best Children’s Books of 2024 – Amazon Australia

Picture Book Highlights list 2024 – Readings Kids

Chosen by Australia’s best booksellers for Kids‘ Reading Guide Summer edition, 2024/5.

Farrell’s Books Top Picture Books 2024

“short, bouncy couplets … illustrations full of verve and expression. A celebration of simple happiness and a delight to read out loud!” – Abbey’s Bookseller Pick

“A fabulous book” – Kids’ Book Review, 2025

I trained as a zoologist and zookeeper, and have been a children’s book author and presenter for over twenty years. Why do I write? Because it’s fun! What do I write about? Mostly my main interests – animals and the environment.

Meet Julie Murphy