For Love Of A Dog #12

More than a year ago we were shown a huge park with a paved walkway around the perimeter.  No matter which direction you look mountains frame your view.  In the center is a huge expanse of grass.  During the evenings and on the weekends it is filled with people playing soccer games and enjoying picnics under the many pavilions.  On one side a community of prairie dogs has set up residence.  In another portion of the park, outside the walkway, is a designated, fenced area specifically for dogs to be off-leash.

As she got older Xena's sense of smell increased.  She could not get in enough sniffs when exploring.  Her nose was constantly either in the air or to the ground.  Our walks took longer, not because of her arthritis but because of her taking in all the scents.  This new expansive recreational arena was heaven to her.  If she would have been making the decisions our strolls would not have been shorter but longer.  She did not want to leave this wooferlicious place.

I wish she could have seen what else I have noticed in this city.  They love dogs!  Dogs not only accompany their humans in stores particular to pets but I have seen them in departments stores, big box stores, and when I was getting my car title a couple of weeks ago, the assistant said they are frequently brought in the county building.  They are on leashes walking beside their humans or taking in the sights as a passenger in a shopping cart.

Xena and I were nearly inseparable.  If totaling the days we were apart during the fifteen years shared together, you would not surpass two weeks.  In her newest title, author illustrator, Maira Kalman (Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything) shares her passion for dogs.  Beloved Dog (Penguin Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, October 27, 2015) showcases the appearance of dogs throughout her many works of art.

When I go out for a WALK, there is so much I see that makes me happy to be ALIVE. 

This is the first sentence in this book.  It begins a poetic, philosophical interlude to the pleasure found in walking.  It speaks about the vast array of people encountered.  It enumerates the lost items left by humans on purpose or perhaps by accident.  It speaks about trees and the other flora and fauna living among them.  Most of all it talks about the narrator's love of dogs.

Their roles in humans' lives, phrase by phrase, page by page, are affectionately documented.  This author illustrator notes how they seem to find a place in all her work, whether they are the focus of the tale or not.  She then goes back to her childhood telling us it was not always this way.

Her grandmother had a deep fear of dogs.  She also needed everything to be neat and tidy at all times in their home, a shack on the river in Belarus.  These beliefs were continued by Maira's mother in their apartment in the Bronx.  Although Maira started to see all people did not share their truths about dogs.

When in college, Maira fell in love with a man, Tibor.  When taken to meet his parents she was understandably terrified by their rather large dog, Boganch.  Tibor and Maira married and had two children.  Within all the ups and downs of family life one thing was definitely clear---

...we all loved each other madly.

When Tibor became gravely ill, it was suggested to Maira to get a dog.  Her mind revolted at the idea but life (and her thoughts) had other plans for her. Pete, an Irish Wheaten, became a part of their family.  Pete and Maira became fast friends.  He was everything and more for her..for them.  First Tibor, then eight years later, Pete left them.  This book chronicles in images from 1986 to the present the significant place dogs have in Maira's world.


With a few words or carefully penned sentences Maira Kalman gets to the essence of all things dog and their invaluable presence in her and our lives.  Her observations are intensely accurate and beautifully spoken.  Her closing page, a collection of nine sentences and phrases, will wrap around your heart like a blanket of truth.  Here is an earlier passage.

He did what everyone said he would do. Help to keep us as sane and as happy as we could be. Quite an extraordinary achievement, but nothing special for a dog.


When opening the dust jacket you see an image rendered in three colors.  Pete looks at us as he must have looked at Maira Kalman so many times.  On the back, to the left, a photograph of Maira and Pete is featured.  On the book case, in a matte-finished tan background, three large words appear in all capitals and in white

WOOF
WOOF
WOOF

On the left a small Woof! is centered.  The book flaps are covered in the names of more than eighty dogs...all beloved.  The opening and closing endpapers, different, joyfully celebrate dogs, and dogs and their humans.

The illustrations all rendered in Maira Kalman's signature style are striking beyond description.  The use of light and shading with every brush stroke will have you pausing at each picture.  They are witty, whimsical and extraordinarily moving.

One of my many, many favorite pictures is of a child placed on a grassy lawn with tiny pink flowers growing through the grass.  The child is seated on the ground with one arm down on a journal, a pencil in their hand.  The other arm is around a dog as an elbow rests on the chair next to them.  The dog is sitting alert, looking directly at us.  The child's eyes are closed.  This painting represents a pose taken by humans and their dogs many times every single day.  They sit patiently as we wrap ourselves around them, sighing in the pleasure of their presence.


Beloved Dog written and illustrated by Maira Kalman is a glorious gift, an expression of gratitude in words and pictures to one very special dog and to the many others who have come and gone and will continue to occupy our existences.  Adult and child readers will enjoy finding familiar pages from books they have read and those they are seeing for the first time.  This book is a treasure for dog lovers.  It shows others exquisitely how great their importance is.

To learn more about Maira Kalman and her other books please visit her website by following the link attached to her name.  This title is highlighted at BrainPickings, Beloved Dog: Maira Kalman's Illustrated Love Letter to Our Canine Companions.  HuffPost Arts & Culture chats with Maira Kalman, Maira Kalman Talks New Book, 'Beloved Dog'.  Maira Kalman is interviewed at Publishers Weekly, BEA 2015: Maira Kalman: Homage to Pete, The Bark, The Artful Life of Maira Kalman, and at The New Yorker, Maira Kalman's Beloved Dogs.  I think you will enjoy watching the video below about this book.  Here is the link to another video at BigThink where she shares her philosophy about work and life.  This radio interview at It's Raining Cats and Dogs makes for great listening.

For Love Of A Dog #11

They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors each better suited than the other for a particular endeavor.  When people think of a bucket, they visualize a container, usually with a handle, for moving water or other items from one place to another.  Xena, my chocolate Labrador retriever, did define a pail in a similar manner but her creative nature saw it as much more.

For several years prior to us moving to the city in which I worked, Xena spent her days in doggy day care in that community.  Her caretaker has bred, raised and taught Labrador retrievers for decades.  Xena was the only resident allowed up at the house with the owner's personal dogs.  She had the opportunity to run in huge open fields all day.  But...

The caretaker said she had never seen anything like it before Xena was under her supervision.  Hour after hour Xena would take a pail and either watch it roll or carry it down a hill to a small stream they had on their property.  She would fill it with water, bring it up to the top, run around with it and then begin the process all over again.

At home this same activity would be repeated with her kiddie pool and a white five gallon pail.  When it was empty, she would bend and scoop the bucket up like a plastic hat.  It would bounce around on her head as she ran until it flew off.

This inventiveness can be seen daily in our canine companions.  It is a survival technique as well as a source for the joy they make in their lives.  Puppy Pirates: Stowaway! (A Stepping Stone Book, Random House, July 7, 2015) written by Erin Soderberg with illustrations by Russ Cox highlights the ingenuity of a youngster seeking exciting escapades.

"Land ho!" Something small, fat, and squealing sailed through the air.  It landed on the fishing pier. "Plop!"
A golden retriever named Wally poked his nose out of the shadows.  He sniffed.  The thing was alive.  It smelled like a puppy.  But it looked like ... a pig?

So it goes Wally is first introduced to gold-toothed Piggly and her lacy-kerchief-wearing twin sister, Puggly, two pugs.  Wally, a recent runaway from the only place he has ever known, a farm, is searching for a new home where he feels wanted.  If he has thrilling experiences too, it will be so much the better.  He chooses to shadow these two new intriguing pups.

An exchange in an alley leaves him slightly discouraged but more determined than ever to join this crew of pirates.  What could be more adventuresome than being a pirate?  Using his wits and ability to wiggle he hides in a crate being carried over the water to the waiting ship.  Little did he know he is not the only stowaway!

Henry, a human boy, is an absolute expert on these sea rovers.  The duo decides to become pirate partners.  When their presence is noticed, Wally finds himself walking the plank.  This is not a good thing for a dog who does not know how to swim.

A word from the wise Old Salt gives Wally a temporary stay but Captain Red Beard issues a warning.  Suds, a secret ingredient, a climb to the top, and the Nine Lives repeatedly require Wally (Walty as the captain calls him) to put his best paw forward and think his way through these challenges.  Will this pup prevail?  Will Henry and Wally roam the seas with the rest of the howling hearties?


Short, brisk chapters set the pace for this spirited tale penned by Erin Soderberg.  Replete with pirate jargon, hilarious dialogue and rollicking descriptions, readers will feel as though they are right in the midst of all the action.  Character personalities shine in their names, what they say and in what they do.  Here are some sample passages.

Just that morning, he had arrived at this city by the sea.  It was full of hustle and bustle.  Horse-drawn carts pulled lazy humans.  Small fishing boats hauled nets full of tasty tuna.  Beautiful ships with fancy masts dropped their anchors in the harbor.  This place even smelled like adventure.  Wally had noticed it also smelled like rotten fish and sweat---but mostly adventure.

As the shadows in the alley stretched and yawned in the late-afternoon sun, one of the pups cried out, "Aye, the pirate's life's for me!"

Wally noticed that as soon as Old Salt spoke, the whole crew sat and listened.  After the old dog hacked up a fur ball, he said, "This pup might be little, but weren't we all little once?"
"Not me," muttered a huge Great Dane.


The full color artwork tinged with historic and canine detail on the front cover is out-and-out cute. The initial title page features Henry, Wally and four other crew members in their appropriate garb.  Each chapter number is encased in the puppy pirate logo shaded to have the texture of a paw print.

Full page images with bleeds across the gutter, half page insets, single pages, edge to edge, and half horizontal double-page pictures rendered by Russ Cox further endear readers to the characters and their activities.  Fully animated expressions on their faces, body postures and seaside and on-board settings will have readers smiling.  One of my favorite illustrations is when Henry reads the label on the can of the "secret ingredient" Wally has dumped into Steak-Eye's, the cook's, stew.  Henry has a look of disbelief on his face.  Wally is on all fours kneeling in a corner, paws over his eyes.  You know it can't be good.  The explanation is downright funny.


Puppy Pirates: Stowaway! written by Erin Soderberg with illustrations by Russ Cox is a lighthearted look at a pup longing for family and adventure.  This is the first in a planned series of six.  I know these books will never be on the shelves, being passed from reader to reader.  The second title, X Marks The Spot, was released at the same time as this book.

For more information on Erin Soderberg and Russ Cox and their other work, please visit their websites by following the links attached to their names.  Erin Soderberg was interviewed at HenryHerz.com---KitLit, Fantasy & Sci-Fi.  She is also a guest at Scholastic's Ambassador for School Libraries, John Schumacher's blog, Watch. Connect. Read.  Follow this link to access Russ Cox's blog.  You can read interviews of Russ Cox at KidLit 411, Inkygirl.com hosted by author illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi and Andrea Skyberg 's site.  To view interior images make sure you visit the publisher's website.

For Love Of A Dog #10

There is no need for an alarm clock.  They're more precise than anything conjured up by humans.  With a touch of their cold wet noses and sloppy kisses, dogs wake us up each morning at the same time without fail.

After relocating to a new home when Xena was four we took early morning walks with a neighbor and her dog.  Depending on the season it was usually dark as we began to seek all the new smells left since the previous day.  With noses as their guides Shadow and his human and Xena and I would briskly make discoveries first along one side of the road, then down the other side.

Despite Shadow's passing away, for years, until Xena and I no longer walked the loop (the last few months we were there), she would always stop at Shadow's house waiting for him and his pal to join us.  She remembered those walks and the shared companionship.  It was a bond never to be broken.

Our animal residents on this planet have much to teach us if we learn to look.  The friendships they forge are lasting based upon the best each brings to the relationship.  The Story of Diva and Flea (Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group, October 13, 2015) as told and shown by Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi opens our eyes to the new sensory adventures which await us.

This is Diva's story.
For as long as she could remember,
Diva lived at 11 avenue Le Play in Paris,
France.  ...
This is Flea's story.
For as long as he could remember, Flea
also lived in Paris, France.  But, at no fixed
address.

Diva, guardian of her small enclosed courtyard and the old apartment building along with her human, Eva, does so with vigor and extreme caution.  She has never been beyond the front gate.  Flea, a flaneur in the City of Light, a looker at everything and of anything, gathers experiences.  Each day adds to his repertoire.

On the first day the very large cat saw the very small dog, Diva yips and runs away.  This is entirely hilarious to Flea, so he does it day after day after day.  Finally Diva, disgusted with his behavior toward her, questions his motives.  As a token of an apology Diva finds a dead mouse on her doorstep the next morning.

After a short chat and both of them laughing about Diva's latest request, a charming routine is established.  In the comfort of the courtyard, Flea tells Diva stories about his city exploits.  One afternoon he invites her to come with him.  It is a huge idea.

The next morning after a fitful night of wondering and wanting, with Flea's encouragement Diva, pawstep by pawstep, follows him all the way around the corner seeing something more beautiful than she had ever thought possible.  On the following day, on his visit to 11 avenue Le Play, Flea is intrigued by a noise from within the building.  With Diva's encouragement Flea, with extreme caution, pawstep by pawstep, follows her into the grand hallway and through the door to her home.

Even though Flea gazes upon things more beautiful than he ever thought possible, a very scary object next to a pair of feet makes him yell and run.  When Diva does not follow, Flea has to make a decision.  Diva is pleased with his choice, showing him what can only be defined as enchanting.  A favor returned causes unexpected sheer joy.  That's what friends do for each other.


In writing his first chapter book, Mo Willems again demonstrates his mastery of the written word.  We read but also listen to the music created by his sentences.  Readers will enjoy the parts of the story divided by French headings and the short descriptive chapter titles.  There is magic in his telling of this tale of friendship not necessarily because of the setting, although it is a stunning example of what can be right in our world, but because it speaks to truths we should or do hold in our collective hearts. Here are some sample passages.

He liked the name "Flea." He thought it was a funny name because he was a large cat, and a flea is a small animal.
Also, he may or may not have had fleas.

She especially liked the one about the tower so tall and so pointy that it could cut a cloud in half, like a knife slicing through a soft piece of delicious cheese.
Diva loved cheese.

"There are always exceptions," replied Flea.  "They are what make you exceptional."


The rough and tumble cat of the world with a crook in his tail sitting next to the sheltered tiny dog wearing a red bow, the Eiffel Tower and the courtyard gate in the background, with them gazing at each other smiling, is a clear invitation there is a story to be told.  The limited color palette shown on the front of the dust jacket is used throughout the book.  On the back, to the left, an ornate oval frames their first adventure together.  The same design on the chapter titles surrounds the ISBN.

The opening and closing endpapers in the identical darker shade of green used in Flea on the dust jacket supplies the perfect background for the drawings in black of Flea on the left and Diva on the right. Their backs are to readers as they look at the Eiffel Tower and the courtyard gate respectively. Readers will want to take note of the initials carefully placed within a shell on each of them.  A gorgeous aerial view of the city of Paris with an altered gargoyle and Flea taking in the scene presents us with a second title page.  Each part of the book uses the same darker hue of green as a canvas for small drawings of Flea and Diva.

For his single page images Tony DiTerlizzi has drawn delicate scroll work around them.  His smaller illustrations are showcased by the creamy color element on the page.  Intricate details, exquisite shading and the perspective of looking at the world through a small dog's and large cat's viewpoint furnish readers with the proper atmosphere for this story.  The looks on the faces of Diva and Flea quickly secure our connection to these two adorable characters.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is when Diva notices the dead mouse near the steps.  (I know exactly how she feels as one of the neighborhood cats left me a similar gift one morning.)  Her stance and expression leave no doubt as to her feelings at this discovery.  You can almost hear what she is saying before you read the text.

Having read The Story of Diva and Flea as told and shown by Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi several times and parts of it repeatedly I know you are going to want to add it to your bookshelves at home and in your classrooms and libraries.  It's a tale of a dog and a cat who make big changes one step at a time.  It's a tale of bravery.  It's a tale of friendship between two furry friends and two remarkable names in the world of children's literature.

To discover more about Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites.  At Mo Willems' website there are links to his other sites and blogs.  Here is the link to a page at Tony DiTerlizzi's site dedicated to this title.  Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi are interviewed at Time for Kids.  Enjoy the wonderful video where the duo talks about this collaboration. (Can you find the Easter eggs mentioned?)

For Love Of A Dog #9

If anyone thinks dogs do not have a command of the English language, they need to reconsider their opinions.  How else can a dog who weighed fifty-one pounds at most during her lifetime have faced every single day like her namesake, Xena the warrior princess?  This dog was a force of nature, mentally and physically strong.

It was recommended we attend obedience school.  We lasted one session...well, almost.  The instructor insisted on using a pinch collar.  We made it once around the room walking with the other wee pups before I stopped, removed the collar and strolled out.  No one was going to take away my girl's spirit.

So I sought out places where we could walk, run and swim free from danger.  Otherwise a leash or thirty-foot lead was attached to a harness.  I wish I could have seen my face the day she pulled me down the road when I was wearing cross-country skis. She was and is my hero.

Some would look at us and think or say, "Who's running or walking who?"  I would simply laugh and try to keep up with her.  She made me be my best self.  Other dogs use their strength in a less restrained manner.   Stay: A Top Dog Story (Peachtree Publishers, September 1, 2015) written and illustrated by Alex Latimer is about an exuberant Buster and his loving human Ben.

Ben thought his dog Buster was 
the best dog in the whole world.

Ben's parents do not quite share the same beliefs.  In fact Buster wears them out.  It is time for a vacation!  This year Buster is staying with Grandpa instead of going with them.  Last year had been a bit of a disaster.

Concerned with Grandpa not knowing Buster as he does, Ben, at his dad's suggestion, writes him a note.  One letter leads to another and another and another.  When he is hugging Buster goodbye and tearfully waving to him from the car, Ben can't shake the feeling he is forgetting something important.  During their vacation he continues to send extra advice on postcards but a truly vital thought continues to elude him.

When his father becomes lost on one of their side trips, it dawns on Ben what Grandpa needs to know, but it's too late.  The post office is now off limits for one rowdy canine.  Taking matters into his own hands, Grandpa gives Ben a note of his own when the family returns to pick up Buster.

In fact his grandfather sends another and another and another letter to Ben.  As the weeks and months pass the old Buster disappears.  Or does he?


Blending narrative and dialogue splendidly Alex Latimer delivers to readers a charming story of a boy and his dog.  The hand written notes with their drawings enhance this tale with childlike truths and the humor they bring.  The relationships between Ben and his parents and his grandfather add an extra level of warmth.  Here is a sample passage with the accompanying notes.

When Mum felt sick after eating a bad hot dog, it reminded Ben of something to tell Grandpa.

Diagnosis Chart
(What's wrong with Buster?)
sunburn (Buster is lying on his back with his legs in the air.)
lovesick (Buster is lying still with his eyes closed dreaming of his one true dog.)
ate a toy dinosaur (x-ray of Buster's stomach)
just needs to pee (Buster has his legs crossed.)


Unfolding the dust jacket readers are treated to a double-page image of Buster on the run through the house leaving chaos in his wake as Ben hangs on as best as he can.  Muddy paw prints show their path and pictures fly in their wake.  These drawings show Ben and Buster enjoying their favorite things done together.  (I'm working from an F & G.)  On the title page Buster is eyeing a single piece of chocolate cake on the table with the title Stay! over his head in a speech bubble.

Rendered as pencil drawings, digitized, then finished with color and texture Alex Latimer also includes what appear to be life-sized muddy paw prints, real colored pencils, pencil shavings, an eraser, paperclips, crayons, real photographs and hand-held pencil sharpeners.  This collage effect helps readers to feel more like participants in the life shared by Ben and Buster, Mom and Dad and Grandpa.  A bright, cheerful color palette is used in illustrations placed on a variety of equally brilliant backgrounds.  It's like turning the pages in a fun-filled scrapbook.

Latimer alters his image sizes to demonstrate a particular event, emphasize a story element and perfect the pacing.  The facial features on the characters will have you grinning from ear to ear.  Ben's drawings illustrating his hints to Grandpa will have you howling with glee.

One of my favorite visuals is a partial page of Ben lying on the ground writing his first note to Grandpa.  A glass of milk and a half-eaten cookie are next to him.  Buster is on the other side of him watching as calm as can be.  A notebook, crayons, pencils, a paint brush, scissors and pencil sharpener are scattered about them.


Stay: A Top Dog Story written and illustrated by Alex Latimer is a playful romp of a tale.  Readers are going to love the antics of Buster and Ben's descriptions of the essentials in Buster's energetic life.  I am confident you are going to hear requests of read it again amid loads of laughter.

If you follow the links attached to Alex Latimer's names you can access his website and blog to discover more about him and his other books.

For The Love Of A Dog #8

The sensory characteristics of dogs make them perfect sentinels inside and outside our homes.  Furthermore you can see it and read about it but their perceptions of human moods can't be truly appreciated until experienced personally.  It's uncanny how they respond to the emotional state of humans close to them especially their own human.

One of the frequent treks Xena and I would take daily was along a sandy shoreline near a local ski resort.  Between the mountain slopes and lake is a series of paths in a wooded area.  On one particular late afternoon we were returning to the parking lot from the lake.  For her protection Xena was always on a lead if we had any chance of being near other dogs or people.

Within seconds of hearing frantic barking a German Shepherd rounded a corner on one of the paths heading toward us in full attack mode.  For the first and last time in her life, I watched as my sweet girl transformed before my very eyes. Through the leash she must have felt my total terror for her and our situation.   Her stance changed as she seemed to grow in size, her lips curled back and her ferocious growls and frenzied barks began.  My retriever changed into a wolf.  It was incredible.

When the need arises dogs true hearts take over.  Webster: Tale of an Outlaw (Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, November 3, 2015) written by Ellen Emerson White chronicles the journey of a dog without a home.  We are watchers and listeners of the cats, dogs and humans in his life.  We are changed by what we come to understand.

The dog was way too cool to be scared.  Or alarmed.  Or even a tiny bit nervous.
But, apparently, when it came to being adopted, the third time wasn't the charm.  

Physical and emotional abuse by this latest family ends when the mother and children, crying and heartbroken, take the dog to a vet to be put asleep.  When the vet refuses, and on his recommendation, the dog is taken to Green Meadows Rescue Group.  Named Webster by Joan and Thomas the owners of the home, farm and acreage, the dog prepares himself mentally to remain aloof and wary until he can escape.

On the first night, a strange sound coming down the hallway toward his kennel puts Webster on high alert.  To his utter surprise it's a rather strange-looking cat, not too big, but formidable in demeanor speaking with a British accent.  Florence rules this roost of collective felines and canines.  She invites Webster to join the other residents in the den for a little conversation, snacks and a night of television and movies.

It is during this first astonishing nocturnal visit after his declarations he is given the name of Bad Hat by his colleagues.  Regardless of his treatment by the humans or the others, his goal is to be a loner and wicked to the core.  Although if asked he would probably be the first to admit, it might not be in his nature.

A routine of meals, exercise in an open field and naps start to settle Bad Hat a little but his goal of running wild and free is still foremost in his mind.  A nor'easter and a fallen tree provide him the superb opportunity.  Not one to think twice about consequences but only keeping his goal in mind, this dog sets out on a wild, windy and rainy night.

After a sleep of sharing a too-tight-for-comfort den with a family of raccoons, the wayward stray starts to look for breakfast when an annoying but frankly endearing terrier called Jack appears.  It seems Florence is determined to provide one of her group with company and pleas to return. The duo has an exciting day of one heroic event after another.  When Duke, the second shift member, arrives, Bad Hat figures he has no choice but to at least stop by for a nightly viewing and food.

Florence does indeed have a plan but so does Bad Hat.  And we all know what happens to plans when we least expect it.  The line between the roles of rescued and rescuer become blurred and subtly shifts to give us a cheer-worthy conclusion.


The realism of life for adopted and returned and shelter dogs and cats is depicted with authenticity which will evoke deep empathy in readers.  The conversations between the humans provide further understanding.  If you've ever wished your dog or cat could talk, Ellen Emerson White with wit and wisdom gives readers the cleverly crafted chance to do so.  Individual personalities of the residents are revealed as are their stories.  Your heart will ache and you will laugh out loud at the references to Downton Abbey, It's a Wonderful Life, E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial and a special Facebook page.  Here are some sample passages.

"Right, I forgot," Jack said.  "The Bad Hat says that Joan is, like your person, and that you are already adopted."
Florence laughed, too. "The Bad Hat may have a little bit of cat in him."
Oh, gross.  No way. "I am all dog," the Bad Hat said.  "In fact, I'm a dog and a half! All other dogs bow before me."
Duke---who had been crying in his kennel across the corridor---perked up.  "They actually bow? How'd you manage that?  Florence, you're not going to rename him King, are you? Because I'm still trying to work my way back up."
"No, he's the Bad Hat," Florence said.  "It rather suits him."
Raw-ther.  The British accent cracked him up, so the Bad Hat laughed again.

"That your dog?" one of the bullies asked.  "He looks dumb."
Dumb? Someone was calling him dumb? The Bad Hat most assuredly did not cotton to that. No, sir, he did not.
"He's not dumb," Paste Kid said, climbing to his feet.  "I think you guys are dumb."
All right, the kid had heart! The dog definitely approved.  Not much originality, or the gift of clever retorts---but, heart!
The bullies apparently decided that that was a good enough reason to start a fistfight, and one of them threw a punch and hit Paste Kid right in the face.  Paste Kid staggered back, clearly stunned.
Nope.  Not on his watch. The dog quickly jumped in between Paste Kid and the other three boys.  He gave the bullies a long, ominous stare---and they all stopped short, with their fists drawn back.
"Hey, call your dog off," one of them said uneasily.
"He's not---" Paste Kid paused. "I mean, I think he just wants you guys to leave me alone."
Yep. He'd have to give that answer an A.  The dog blinked at the bullies---once.


Author and dog owner Ellen Emerson White gives readers insight into the life of a stray and his comrades in Webster: Tale of an Outlaw.  Told with sensitivity she will have you looking at your furry friends and others with additional tenderness.  An Author's Note speaks to the care of stray animals and how help can be given.  She also suggests three charities which supply assistance.

To seek more information about Ellen Emerson White and her other books please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  An excerpt of chapter one can be found at the publisher's website.

For The Love Of A Dog #7

As a free-spirited, energetic canine Xena regarded any attire as intolerable.  Her fur was all she needed. Even in the thick of bitter cold winter she refused to wear booties to protect her paws. I did insist on the wearing of a collar when she left the house insuring people would know she had her rabies vaccine, a license and a phone number to call in case she became lost.  This did change on several occasions.

Between September 22, 2010 and January 20, 2012 Xena was a frequent visitor at my website "chatting" with students about excellent classes, lessons, libraries, books and reading.  Sometimes she would even sneak on the computer without my knowledge.  Here are the only two times in her life she wore extra head gear. For your convenience, in addition to the video below, the links are here and here for the two different videos.  For some reason Blabberize or perhaps Blogger changes the code so I get two videos alike.  If you want to see Xena in bunny ears follow the second link.




Other dogs enjoy or at the very least tolerate the wearing of clothing to assert their individuality or to make their humans happy.  In her picture book debut, A Dog Wearing Shoes (Schwartz & Wade, September 29, 2015), Sangmi Ko uses flashy footwear to draw attention to the plight of a dog.  He's about to get help.

One day, Mini was on her way home from Grandma and
Grandpa's, when suddenly---
Screech!!

Amid the thick of rush hour traffic sits a wee, bitty pooch wearing bright yellow shoes.  Mini and her mom stop in the nick of time.  Kneeling down outside the car, her mom calls to the little fellow who comes running.  No possible companion is in sight.  For the time being he will come with them.  Mini is thrilled.

At home Mini wants to keep playing with him but the dog is clearly upset.  Mom points out the obvious fact of him belonging to someone; he is wearing shoes, yellow shoes.  Mini thinks he needs a walk.  A red leash and collar are placed on the little guy.  His many clever virtues are revealed on their stroll through the park.

Well-meaning and enthusiastic Mini decides to demonstrate one more skill for the other dog lovers who have gathered when the worst possible thing happens.  The canine is on the run again.  A trip to the shelter the next morning raises everyone's spirits.

Mini has experienced first-hand the sense of emptiness when your dog is missing.  She now has a plan.  It works!  Mini and her mom have another plan.  It works too!


As a dog owner Sangmi Ko writes with emotional knowledge.  Based upon the true story of a family member, the events unfold realistically.  The logic of a parent and the eagerness of a child are clearly depicted in the conversations.  The love between the two is obvious as is the kindness in both their hearts.

Mini was so excited!
She sang a song,
took the dog's shoes off
and put them back on,
bonked their heads together,
and took a nap with him. 


Rendered in pencil with digitized spot colors of yellow and red, Sangmi Ko has created a matching dust jacket and book case sure to draw reader attention.  Your eyes go from the title text, to the footwear and then to the wide-eyed look on the dog.  You want to know why a dog is wearing yellow shoes.  You want to know why he is looking bewildered on the side of a city street.  On the back, to the left, Mini is embracing the little pooch on a background of white.  The opening and closing endpapers are in the signature yellow.

Three pages of illustrations and the narrative precede the title page.  On the page to the left sits the dog surrounded by white.  The only illustration to the right with the text is a thrown stick; foreshadowing of Mini's new outlook.

Images range in size reflecting the story line and the ebb and flow of moods.  They may extend from edge to edge across two pages or a single page.  At times Ko will use small insets or half page loosely framed visuals.  They flow perfectly.  It's the eyes on her characters and their exaggerated expressions which will deliver huge amounts of humor.

One of my favorite series of pictures is those accompanying the text referenced above.  Mini and the dog howling mouths open, huge fixed grins on their faces as she takes the shoes off and puts them back on the dog, the wide-eyed look on both their faces as they touch foreheads, and the final two images of them zonked out sleeping and groggily waking up are touching and hilarious at the same time.  These pictures are full of animation.  Much is accomplished with the fine, detailed pencil lines here and throughout the book.


Tales of lost and found, lost and found and found don't get much better than A Dog Wearing Shoes written and illustrated by Sangmi Ko.  On the final page Ko includes five important suggestions regarding the adoption of a dog along with three websites to visit.  Brimming with merriment and warmth this is a must have for anyone with compassion for our furry friends.

Please visit the publisher's website to view more interior images from this title.  Julie Danielson, author, reviewer and blogger at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast includes this title with others about dogs.  There's lots of artwork and her insights.

For Love Of A Dog #6

Some dogs crave the comfort of a crate harking back to their origins as wolves in dens.  My dog did not.  Some dogs favor one form of specifically created canine resting places over another.  My dog did not.  Some dogs require a particular spot in their home in which to sleep.  My dog did not.

Anywhere, whether comfy or not, Xena snoozed in every room in our house.  I quickly learned to buy extra-large dog beds so we could nap together.  After each early morning run or walk in the summer, to avoid the heat of the day, we would come back home to rest.

At night there was no question as to where she would sleep.  She had her own queen-size bed which she allowed me to share.  Sometimes she would be close enough with a short reach, I could feel her heart beating.  Before her breath slowed in sleep I whispered to her "I love you, Xena." Every. Single. Night.  I still do.

Dogs do love their sleep.  A new bed can be cause for a canine celebration.  Debut author Christian Trimmer shares the trials and tribulations of a pooch with a problem in Simon's New Bed (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, August 25, 2015) with illustrations by Melissa van der Paardt.

What do you think of your new bed, Simon?
You like it?

BARK!
BARK!

The unseen narrator and Simon leave for a walk with the promise of Simon napping upon their return.  Simon can hardly wait to try out the new bed; only stopping for a quick sip first.  He races down the hallway to the boy's bedroom coming to a screeching halt in the doorway.

How is this possible?  Miss Adora Belle, the family cat, is resting on his new red bed.  With calm courtesy he points out her error.  She remains unmoved.  Howling, barking and dragging said bed do not work either.  This kitty is not going to be disturbed by a D. O. G.

Simon reasons she might not like him being in her bed.  She could care less.  Tricks have no effect.  Simon does the unbelievable.  This cat is in blissful statue mode.

Going from total glee before his walk to this state of affairs is almost more than Simon can bear.  Then a thought so out of the ordinary he can hardly trust it pops into his mind.  Would this work?  Could this work?  Miss Adora Belle makes certain it works.


It's wonderfully clever to have the narrative begin before the title page, setting the stage for the wordless activity which follows.  Christian Trimmer continues to build reader anticipation with the next four sentences in which Simon rushes toward his new bed.  This adds to the comedic effect of the discovery and subsequent attempts by Simon to get Miss Adora Belle to vacate.  Word choices and phrase lengths supply pacing while elevating the humor and frustration growing in Simon.  This makes the resolution all the sweeter.  Here is sample a passage.

He even tried to trick her.
Still nothing.
Simon realized he had only one option left---
one shameful, embarrassing option.


As soon as I set eyes on the matching front dust jacket and book case, I knew this book was going to be packed with giggles and grins.  The dejected look on Simon's face coupled with the pure satisfaction on Miss Adora Belle's features tells the tale.  When you add in the labeling text with the arrows, how can you not help but laugh?  On the back, to the left, is Simon's new bed wrapped in a white bow.  The opening and closing endpapers are in a shade of the rich red used throughout this title.

The image spanning two pages for the title speaks volumes with Miss Adora Belle smiling and looking directly at the reader as she makes her way to Simon's new bed.  We know before Simon what is going to happen. (I can hear the laughter already.)  Rendered digitally the illustrations vary in size; either single page, double page or vignettes grouped to depict a particular point.

Melissa van der Paardt supplies more fun with her pictures visualizing something different than the text.  When Simon rehydrates, he is drinking from the toilet.  As he races down the hallway, he is wrapped in toilet paper.  The expressions shown by Simon in contrast to the contentment on Miss Adora Belle face highlight the playfulness of the text.

One of my favorite illustrations is the two-page wordless spread at the beginning when Simon first sees Miss Adora Belle on his new bed.  He is standing in a ray of light in the open doorway.  Pure shock is displayed across his face.  He nearly drops the bone in his mouth.  Our eyes travel to the right on a close-up of the cat curled up resting with a single eye open, glancing at Simon.


The timeless contest between dogs and cats is portrayed with mirth in Simon's New Bed written by Christian Trimmer with art by Melissa van der Paardt.  This is a book that needs to be shared not once but over and over again.  Cat and dog lovers and siblings will find much truth within these pages.

Please follow the links attached to Christian Trimmer's and Melissa van der Paardt's names to access their websites to learn more about them and their other work.  Christian Trimmer is a guest on author illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi's blog Inkygirl.com . More art by Melissa van der Paardt can be seen at her two other blogs here and here.  Interior art, including my favorite picture, can be found at the publisher's website.