Bark in the Park!: Poems for Dog Lovers - Hardcover

Avery Corman is a lover of dogs, with special feelings for his childhood dog, Paddy, and his children's childhood dog, Pokey. He is also a novelist, the author of several novels including Kramer vs. Kramer, which was adapted into an Academy Award-winning Best Picture. This is Avery's first picture book.
Hyewon Yum is the author and illustrator of many acclaimed picture books including Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!, which received the Erza Jack Keats New Illustrator award and was selected as a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Visit Hyewon online at www.hyewonyum.com.

Gr 1–4-In this ode to dogs, brief poems explore various breeds, teaching readers to distinguish beagles from basset hounds and greyhounds from salukis. Corman drops in some facts: the bulldog's tendency to drool, the bloodhound's strong nose, the German shepherd's loyalty (though some may disagree with his description of the Chihuahua as "never whiny"). Some verses are a little clumsy; others go for predictable rhymes ("You might say a Poodle can use her noodle"). The author relies on familiar territory, comparing the dachshund to a hot dog and marveling at the dalmatian's many spots. Still, the poems' short length, chipper tone, and subject matter will entice readers, as will Yum's gentle, buoyant illustrations. Set against an idyllic suburban backdrop, a concerned border collie watches over children lined up for the school bus, a Jack Russell hurls herself through the air to catch a baseball, and a St. Bernard pulls a squalling toddler in a wagon. Yum imbues the canines with personality and includes fun background details but avoids anthropomorphizing the dogs. VERDICT A sweet addition for a dog- or poetry-themed book display.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal