Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 10/01/2024 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 - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2024 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. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.