Must See Photo Books

What's not to love about photo books of kittens? Of puppies? Of dogs doing funny things under water?  If you get a chance to stop by the library take a glance at some of the cutest books I've ever seen. The first is Smitten: A Kitten's Guide to Happiness by Rachel Hale.  The photos of kittens in adorable poses and settings include little sayings sure to get you inspired and give you an all around good feeling.  Rachel Hale has won numerous awards for her animal portraits and we own another prime example - Snog, another book of photos but this time of puppies!  (Check out our previous blog about Snog, October 2012).  What really got me wanting to write about these cute photo books is Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel.  You will laugh out loud at this book...I have never seen anything so funny.  Casteel has taken photos of dogs underwater, usually as they chase balls.  What results from the dog leaping into the water are bubbles, bared teeth and popping eyes in adorable dog faces. They say visiting with animals alleviates depression and stress.  If you want a 'visit' without the fur you can get it from these books.  There are plenty of images of Hale's work online and check out this link to some photos of Casteel's underwater dogs. SG

For the Dogs

The Big New Yorker Book of Dogs is a compendium of essays, cartoons, and articles spanning the New Yorker's impressive back catalog.  From the good and the bad to the top dogs and the under dogs, works by James Thurber, John Updike, Roddy Doyle and E. B. White (to name but a few) explore our sometimes rocky but always entertaining relationship with man's best friend.  Includes a foreword by Malcolm Gladwell.  HM

Trick or Treat in Style!

Halloween is fast approaching. But never fear, there’s still time to decorate
your house and get together a cool costume. We have several titles that will get your creative juices flowing and still leave you with some pocket change. Super-Simple Creative Costumes by Sue Astroth features easy costumes and accessories that involve a few stitches and some fusing. This book has many colorful pictures and includes patterns.

The No-Sew Costume Book by Michaeline Bresnahan and Joan Macfarlane lists the instructions for making 41 costumes out of poster board, foam, trash bags and sewing notions. The authors find some really interesting uses for items lying around the house. The costumes are both cute and cheap,    
a winning combination.

Cathie Filian’s book, Bow Wow Wow: Fetching Costumes for your Fabulous Dog has directions for making about 30 costumes for your four-legged friends. There is a size chart for pets of all sizes. Many of the costumes have a sew-or-glue option. These ideas are guaranteed to make you smile. Happy Halloween! DB

An All-Time Favorite

If you’re looking for a great book, pick up one of the best-Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. This wonderful classic intertwines adventure, childhood, love and loss in an unforgettable tale of a boy and his two amazing dogs. The story is set in the Ozarks Mountains of northeastern Oklahoma during the Great Depression. Billy Colman is determined to get a hunting dog and with sacrifice and hard work he manages to save up and order two redbone pups. He begins to pursue his goal of hunting coons to help his family. During the story Billy learns about courage, determination, integrity and the character that shaped this nation. This book is a must-read for anyone over age ten! Enjoy, but be forewarned—there may be some tears! DB

Yes, Another Dog Story!

Giant George: Life with the World’s Biggest Dog by Dave Nasser with Lynne Barrett-Lee is the story of an irresistible puppy who grew to be almost five feet tall, seven feet long and 245 pounds.  In 2010 George made it into the Guinness Book of World Records and he has even appeared on Oprah.  Big in stature he also has a big heart.  Read all about his life with the Nasser family for a light-hearted, heart-warming family story. SG

Man's Best Friends

The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them by Wayne Pacelle is a must-read for animal lovers and advocates. Pacelle is the president of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and brings his wealth of experience dealing with animal rights issues to this engaging read. Through the book, Pacelle describes the innate kinship we have with animals, how that bond has been broken, and what we can do to reconnect. In a few especially gripping sections he details his jailhouse interview with Michael Vick, the bison hunt nipping at the borders of Yellowstone National Park, and the selfless acts of compassion and love shown by volunteers to the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Bond is a truly thought-provoking look into how we as a society interact with the creatures around us, and the sometimes steep price of that relationship.

For more info, check out Wayne Pacelle at the Detroit Zoo on Saturday, August 6th. HM

More than a Dog Story

Marley and Me by John Grogan is a heart-warming story of the devoted love of a dog and master, most certainly, but it is much more. Grogan writes humorously and touchingly of his marriage, his neighborhood, and his career as well as the World's Worst Dog. Join us for a discussion of this book Thursday morning at 10!