books |

Summer Reading List

Scout the Dog — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:15:35 +0000

I’m ready for summer!
Lazy, warm days, lying in the sun with a good book.

Summer Reading

This is the stack I’ll be plowing through…

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: Oprah-approved and she’s a dog lover and there’s dogs in it. A Win-Win-Win.

Nature Walks in Connecticut: A reference to broaden our trail hikes.

The Art of Racing in the Rain: I know I just read it – it’s THAT good.

A Thousand Acres: Strong women in farm country – cool.

Cat’s Eye: Know thine enemy.

Marley & Me: Kind of a goofy hero, but I totally GET him during thunderstorms.

In Her Shoes: Lawyer to Dog-Walker; nuff said.

Housekeeping: Coming of age story with vintage names like Ruthie and Sylvie. A dog character named Scout would fit right in, don’t you think?

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: My dog friends do not recommend this book even with *dog* in the title. I’m gonna make up my own mind.

Any other books you’d suggest for me? I’m always looking for a good read…

Book Review – “The Art of Racing in the Rain”

Scout the Dog — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:32:34 +0000

There are some days I just throw my paws up in the air. If I had chosen to write a book, instead of a blog, and had the wear-with-all to finish it, this would be the book I’d have written.

The narrator is Enzo, a smart, funny, TV-educated dog. He tells the story of his life with Denny, an aspiring (human) race car driver. The book is about family and connections and hope. I was able to read it in three days, as the story whips along with Enzo’s wit and wisdom.

When you’re a human, you wonder what your dog is thinking. This book will have you talking to your dog much more and believing she understands you. I don’t want to tell any more of the book’s story here. It’s a great read, so pick one up for yourself, dog or not.

And human, you don’t need to wonder about your dog. Just look in her eyes… she gets you.

Stephen Huneck

Scout the Dog — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:32:20 +0000

I was so sad to hear the news yesterday of the suicide of Stephen Huneck on January 7. He was such a champion for dogs and seemed liked a wonderful human. Below is a copy of my post from August about one of his books, so you can see his unique and beautiful art. Mr. Huneck’s Sally books are such favorites with the whole family. Our house is grieving for his house.

Book Review – Sally Goes to the Beach**

When it’s bedtime in our house, I trudge upstairs with the boys and lie down in Preemie Feet’s room. He is put to bed first, so I listen to his books before getting up and moving to Little Feet’s room for chapter books. Preemie Feet has been reading the Sally series of books and they are my favorite, by far. Stephen Huneck, artist and author, creates these great books based on his dog, Sally.

Sally has a big personality and the Sally hardcover books we take out of the library are just as large. Filled with humor and Sally’s escapades in this human world, the author captures the fun and laughable attitude of dog. The illustrations are printed from woodcuts that Mr. Huneck creates in his studio in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, a beautiful part of the US called the NorthEast Kingdom.

Sally Goes to the Beach describes a trip by ferry to a beach community by a group of dogs and focuses on Sally’s experiences on her trip. Preemie Feet frequently giggles throughout the book, which is a magical sound. And each page is a pleasure for the eyes. If you haven’t read these books to your kids or your dog, please do so immediately.

Stephen Huneck has his own website, where he tells his own amazing story, gives you a peek into the beautiful NorthEast Kingdom and sells prints of his art. You can find him here.

**originally published August 26, 2009

Book Review – Sally Goes to the Beach

Scout the Dog — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:27:12 +0000