It is clear now that I have a niche poetry interest. It's dogs. I want to read all the poetry collections about dogs. I started with Mary Oliver's Dog Songs (5/5 - no notes). When I heard Billy Collins was releasing Dog Show this year, I immediately put it on hold at the library.
IT'S PERFECT. Collins writes adorable poems, Pamela Sztybel illustrates wonderful watercolors, and I devoured it up like it was MY JOB.
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It helps that Collins is in conversation with Mary Oliver. He quotes her and then writes a poem responding to that quote. I, of course, somehow feel like a genius for knowing that Dog Songs is a thing. Way to make me feel smart, Billy Collins!
I sort of feel like Billy Collins and Mary Oliver are trolling us. Why two dog-themed poetry collections with adorable illustrations? I don't know, but I need them both in my life.
5/5 stars - no notes
One a bench one afternoon
in a grassy park in Minneapolis
I realized what I liked best
about the dogs of Minneapolis
is that they have no idea they're in Minneapolis
- (From "In Praise of Ignorance," page 9)
So, instead of following your bliss,
follow around some lighthearted dog.
Surely, it's better than doing nothing,
if anything were better than doing nothing,
which, setting dogs aside for now,
is said to be the best thing one can do
or not do, but in a positive way, forever, amen.
- (From "The Following Dogs," page 74)
Hat mentions (why hats?):
hat or umbrella (page 3)
birthday hat (page 45)
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Solely based on the watercolors above, which of those dogs:
a) is the naughtiest?
b) is the cuddliest?
c) is the best at agility?
d) would you adopt?
I love this book so much I helped Jack cut it into a poetry program for speech competition, and he is taking it to nationals next week!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, of course I'd have to adopt the white toed dog, but I can make a case for all of them coming home with me.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that dog poetry was a thing but now that I do, I bet you can guess which two books I just put in library requests for.
I've developed a particular fondness for little wirehaired terriers like the bottom right one. There are a couple of commercials that have them featured, and they're just adorable. I will never be a dog owner, however; they are a lot more work than I'm willing to put in. But I absolutely love dogs.
ReplyDeleteI’m not even really a dog person (but most of my friends are????) and this book seems absolutely delightful - thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI guess you could say Billy Collins is my favorite poet, since I don't usually read poetry but a quote from one of his poems, Aristotle, goes through my mind frequently: "This is the beginning, almost anything can happen..." I'm sure a collection of dog poems by him is EXCELLENT. And I'll take that white dog!!!
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