The Smell of Wet Dog

June 3, 2024
In this collection of 27 poems, Saltzberg (A Delicious Story) employs both canine and human perspectives to explore the age-old cross-species connection—a relationship characterized by a blend of fondness, bewilderment, and, as the evocative title suggests, effluvia. In “Who,” a dog playfully queries, “Who sleeps on your bed/ like a huge armadillo?/ Who steals all the covers?/ Who drools on your pillow?” A few pages later, “Bed” offers a brief glimpse of a human counterpart’s view of bedtime: “My dog is very happy/ snoozing on my bed./ Sometimes I am her pillow/ when she sleeps on my head.” While some of the rhymes feel more perfunctory than polished, the poems emanate from a place of keen adoration and observation. And each of the accompanying digital illustrations is spot-on, with line drawings used for humans, whose skin tone reflects the white of the page, and textured, collage-like shapes portraying a panoply of very good dogs, all with eager, googly eyes. Ages 4–8. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio.

Starred review from July 15, 2024
In this collection of humorous poems, Saltzberg examines the nature of dogginess from nose to tail. Many of the book's entries adopt the narrative voice of the dogs themselves. In "My Nose Knows," a canine describes its renowned sense of smell to its human: "Like when you're in the kitchen / and I'm sleeping down the hall, / if you eat a little snack / I smell it through the wall." The poem's upbeat last lines cleverly explore a familiar doggy trait: "When I meet another dog (you might think we're nuts) / the proper way we say hello / is smelling other butts!" Alternate rhyme schemes predominate, as in "Slowing Down," about an older dog: "She was always exploring outside in the yard. / Now she curls up on the rug. / She has always been cuddly. / Now we have more time to hug." A solitary haiku, "Haikoodle," pictures an orange-collared black pooch sitting in an armchair, striking a "Who, me?" air. "Doodle in my chair / There's no room for me to sit / Bothers me a bit." The metaphorical description of dog drool in "Slow-Motion Drip" alone makes this work a must-have. Saltzberg's hilarious spot illustrations deftly contrast simple black line drawings with textures that convey a panoply of fur colors. Small color bursts are reserved for accessories such as collars and chewed socks. A final poem, narrated by "the superior pet," portends a feline companion volume. Utterly delightful and beautifully designed.(Picture book/poetry. 4-8)

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September 1, 2024
Grades K-3 In this poetic garland of doggy sentiments, pooches urge their owners to throw the ball already, complain about silly names for purebreds ("Mastiff, Schnauzer, Malamute, / Cockapoo, now that's a beaut . . ."), and conversely glory in being fed, petted, and cuddled. Meanwhile, owners make comments about the titular reek, drooling, shedding, barking all night, and like trials. Despite the seeming negativity, though, it's all delivered in a mutual haze of affection, as Saltzberg writes in the very first poem: "It isn't their noses, / their tails, or their paws. I love dogs just because." The cartoon illustrations pair children drawn in outline (except for one covered head to toe in shed fur) with dogs of varied size and indeterminate breed, rendered in a range of hues. Following a poignant portrait of a pooch who is "Slowing Down," the short gathering ends with comments from a feline interloper: "How could that be? / Did you forget? / What about me. / The superior pet!" Dog lovers may disagree with that claim.

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October 1, 2024

Gr 1-4-Saltzberg is back with a collection of 27 short, zippy poems about dogs. He touches on some of the hallmarks of a canine life, including the rhythmic thump of a tail, the unfettered joy of playing catch, and, as the title suggests, the distinctive "moose and skunk perfume" of a wet dog. The poems take on a more contemplative quality as the book progresses; "Slowing Down" plainly reflects on the changes evinced by an aging pet, deciding that, in the end, a slowing-down dog means one with more time for cuddles. Each poem is accompanied by one of Saltzberg's delightfully jaunty sketches of scruffy mutts, their eyes keen and curious, fur often askew. The illustrations are rendered in a realistic palette, with lots of browns and blacks, and the generous use of negative space makes them pop. Young readers may relate to the challenges of their four-legged friends, as in "Sit and Stay," where a dog bemoans the standards of acceptable behavior: "It's hard to sit./ It's hard to stay./ Who makes these rules up, anyway?" This slim volume would be a good book to have on hand for National Poetry Month. VERDICT A short, simple, witty group of poems about the ups and downs of being a dog that would make a nice addition to a larger library collection.-Kate Newcombe

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