My Dog Is My Classmate: A "Sunday Spotlight" Children's Book Review

It’s time for “Sunday Spotlight.”

This is where I highlight a children’s book I genuinely love, sharing my perspective as both a mom and a counselor.

Each Sunday Spotlight includes:

• a brief summary of the book

• an honest, real-life review

• and simple, meaningful ways to weave social-emotional learning (SEL) into story time

These ideas work whether you’re reading at home, in a counseling office, or in a classroom.

At the end of each post, I include a link to purchase the book if you’re interested. These are affiliate links, but there is absolutely no pressure to buy. Purchasing through these links does not add any extra cost for you or impact the author; it’s simply one optional way to support this blog and the work I do here.

This Week’s Pick: My Dog Is My Classmate, written by Holly Grncarevski and illustrated by Fatima Kaleem

My Dog Is My Classmate tells the story of a boy who is homeschooled and shares the fun adventures and meaningful learning moments he experiences alongside his loyal dog.

We see glimpses of the subjects he loves, the creative ways he explores his interests, and the imaginative way his dog “participates” in lessons, like deciding a planet is her new favorite toy while he studies outer space.

Beyond academics, the story gently highlights something even more important: how his dog helps him feel calm, supported, and never alone.

I especially love that this book emphasizes what homeschooling can look like in a joyful, positive light. There’s even a thoughtful moment where the book acknowledges that some children attend public school, and that’s perfectly okay, too. For this child, homeschool simply works best. That subtle normalization of different educational paths is such an important message for kids.

The artwork is playful and engaging, adding warmth and personality to the story. My 2.5-year-old son (who loves sitting down with a stack of books) immediately asked me to read it again. When I asked if he liked it, he gave a very confident “yes.” While the message is geared toward slightly older children, I always appreciate books that can be enjoyed by children of all ages.

From a Counselor’s Chair: Social-Emotional Learning Connections

Growing up, I remember hearing a lot of negative stigma surrounding homeschooling. Maybe it came from misunderstanding, assumptions about socialization (homeschooled kids absolutely socialize!), or simply unfamiliarity.

The reality is that homeschooling can offer incredible benefits for some families. It can allow children to:

• Focus deeply on their interests

• Learn at their own pace

• Experience a lower-stress environment

• Avoid situations where bullying or unmet emotional needs may occur

• Receive individualized support

Every family’s educational choice is personal, and what works beautifully for one child may not work for another. Books like this help broaden children’s understanding of the many valid ways to learn and grow.

3 Ways to Expand Social-Emotional Learning with This Story

1. Explore Feelings of Belonging

Ask: “Where do you feel like you belong?”

This opens a conversation about what makes kids feel safe, comfortable, and supported, whether that’s at school, at home, with friends, or with family pets.

2. Talk About Different Paths

Discuss how different kids learn in different ways. You might say, “Some kids learn at home, some at school, some in both. What matters most is that we’re learning and growing.”This builds empathy and reduces judgment toward experiences that look different from our own.

3. Identify Calm Supports

The dog in the story helps the main character feel calm and loved.

Ask: “Who or what helps you feel calm when you’re having a hard day?”This could be a person, a pet, a favorite activity, or a comfort item. Helping children identify their supports builds emotional awareness and regulation skills.

Final Thoughts

My Dog Is My Classmate is a sweet, affirming read that gently normalizes homeschooling while celebrating curiosity, companionship, and emotional security.

What I appreciate most is that it doesn’t frame homeschool as “better”, just better for this child. That matters. It reinforces the idea that families get to choose what works best for them, and that differences aren’t something to judge, they’re something to understand.

At its heart, this story is about connection, to learning, to interests, and to the ones (even furry ones!) who help us feel steady and supported.

If you’re a homeschooling family, this book will likely feel especially affirming. If you’re not, it’s still a wonderful opportunity to open conversations about empathy, belonging, and the many ways children grow.

If you’d like more ideas for using this book, or need support finding SEL tools that fit your child, reach out anytime. 💛

Want to See a Book Featured?

For “Sunday Spotlight”, my goal is to review 1–3 children’s books each week. If you have a book you’d love to see featured, are a children’s book author yourself, or know an author who might enjoy having their story reviewed, I’d love to hear from you.

Feel free to reach out anytime at guidedbygiggles@gmail.com 💛

Let’s keep celebrating stories that help kids grow, one giggle (and page) at a time.

Click the picture to grab your copy of My Dog Is My Classmate here: