Bark in the Park!: Poems for Dog Lovers

by Avery Corman, Hyewon Yum (Illustrator)

Overview

Go on a walk to the park with all different kinds of dogs and their owners in this funny and charming poetry picture book.

Enjoy Avery Corman's canine poetry for an Afghan hound, basset hound, beagle, bloodhound, Daschshund, boxer, greyhound, and more as they stroll with their owners to the park.PugIs the Pug cute? Or is the Pug ugh?Mostly, people loveThe little Pug's mugHyewon Yum captures the unique characteristics of the owner and his pet as she beautifully illustrates the humorous walk from each dog's home to the park and back.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338342598
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	03/26/2019
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
File size:	60 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

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 books for children, including Not Little, written by Maya Myers. Her book Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten! received the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.

Editorial Reviews

01/21/2019

Corman, the author of adult novels including Kramer vs. Kramer, makes his picture-book debut with this urban dog field guide comprising short poems—some only two lines—that salute the 38 breeds a child and parent encounter on a walk through the city (mixed pups get a shout-out on the final page). The canines are as varied and cosmopolitan as their human counterparts—a street-savvy, mostly gregarious community in its own right. Corman’s rhymes could at times use more wit and metrical crackle, but they convey details about the breeds with affectionate good humor. Of one hound, he writes, “Whatever you lose, you’d better believe it,/ The Labrador Retriever is sure to retrieve it.” A few spreads help readers distinguish among similar breeds—the greyhound and the saluki, for example, appear in abutting pages. Lively art by Yum (Someday, Narwhal) is the real star, exuding spontaneity and distilled, telling detail. She portrays a leaping Jack Russell terrier and an elegant Weimaraner with the same aplomb, capturing their essential, common dogginess: self-possessed but companionable, and happy to be alive. Ages 3–5. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"Short, spritely poems accompany the 38 varieties of dog showcased in this witty and fact-filled book... The illustrations, which use heavy ink outlines with watercolors and washes of color, are engaging and filled with comic details. Corman incorporates appropriate warnings about interacting with certain breeds and brings everything to a heartwarming conclusion." — Booklist"Corman's poems, which are sassy, well-written, and rhythmically enchanting, are on target for each breed of dog and just the right length to entertain and amuse the reader. Yum's lively mixed-media illustrations elevate this book's storyline to a whole new level. While there are many poetry books about dogs available, this one stands out as a picture book that will be read cover to cover as children find themselves engaged by what is going on throughout the pages." — School Library Connection

From the Publisher

04/01/2019

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

School Library Journal

2018-11-21

Dozens of dogs and their owners meet and greet one another in this poetry collection that includes one poem for each of 38 different dog breeds.

The canine subjects range from tiny lap dogs to popular choices for family pets as well as working dogs such as a German shepherd serving as a police dog. There are no examples of dogs aiding people with disabilities. The rhyming poems range from two to four lines, describing characteristics of each breed or offering some amusing commentary on typical behavior or reputation. The poems' subjects alternate between male and female dogs, thoughtfully including females for some of the larger breeds. Most of the poems are humorous and cleverly rhymed, with a few that must be read carefully to understand the wordplay or unusual rhyming word pairs. Charming illustrations in watercolor and colored pencil include people of many ages and ethnicities as well as a pair of mischievous squirrels who appear throughout. Another visual connecting device is provided by a little girl in a pink dress and her dad, both with light skin and dark hair, who are seen on every spread, enjoying a day out together and interacting with the dogs in various ways. These two return home to conclude the collection with a poem about being friends with all sorts of dogs, including mutts.

The delightfully understated illustrations expand the appeal of this poetry collection, creating a cohesive canine community. (Picture book/poetry. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews