Jia Has a Dog Problem

A young girl is afraid of dogs, and a small dog is afraid of children in this funny, bighearted picture book about overcoming fear to find friendship.

Jia runs from every dog--big, tiny, spotted, or shaggy. Charlie the French bulldog hides from every kid--behind couches, laundry, even grown-ups' legs.

When something far scarier forces these two together, they discover a sweet surprise: a friend who understands.

Author: Stephanie Ellen Sy
Publisher: Kokila
Published: 05/12/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.32lbs
Size: 11.11h x 8.67w x 0.48d
ISBN: 9780593697085
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2026
Booklist 05/01/2026

About the Author
Stephanie Ellen Sy is the author of A Roof!, You Can't Tame a Tiger, and Jia Has a Dog Problem. She graduated from Tufts University and now splits her time between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Hong Kong. When she's not writing, she's thinking about her next meal or planning her next hike. Learn more at StephanieEllenSy.com.

Isabella Kung is an artist whose illustrations have received accolades from the Society of Illustrators, Spectrum Fantasy Art, 3x3, Creative Quarterly, and SCBWI; and her original artwork has been exhibited at galleries in California, Spain, and Singapore. Isabella has taught illustration and watercolor at the Academy of Art University and California College of Arts. She grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in San Francisco with her husband and adorable cats. Learn more at IsabellaKung.com.