Laura's Bookshelf: FENWAY AND HATTIE

Happy
Poetry Friday and Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!





Ring in the winter holiday season
with your poetry friends!
Irene Latham is hosting
this week's poetry links
at Live Your Poem.


One
of the biggest gifts my family received this year was this guy:












I stopped by a local animal shelter on a whim, told someone I
was looking for a mellow older dog to be a companion for our Schnauzer Sam, and was quickly
matched with an overweight, "can I go back to sleep yet?" Beagle mix. Introductions were made. When I
brought Rudy home to my husband – Happy Anniversary and surprise! here is the
dog I wanted -- he had bald spots on his tail, a gash on his ear, parasites in
his lungs, and 20 pounds to lose. 




Rudy is as mellow and companionable as advertised. The parasites are gone, but
his snores still shake the walls. We all laugh at his antics, especially the time this now-50-pound dog (he’s down about 10) decided to take over little Sam’s
bed.









Since I am now the dog mama of two goofy boys, I couldn’t
wait to read FENWAY AND HATTIE.




One
of the best parts about being a debut novelist has been connecting with other
children's and YA authors in the class of 2016. FENWAY AND HATTIE, by Victoria J. Coe, is one of the Advanced Reader’s Copies (ARCs) making the rounds of my
author group.




This
super cute early middle grade novel is told in the voice of a young Jack
Russell Terrier named Fenway. Fenway is devoted to his girl, Hattie. It’s his
job to protect Hattie and her family from intruders, like the ones who arrive
one day and TAKE ALL THEIR STUFF! Is it a robbery? Only in Fenway’s doggie
mind. In actuality, the family is moving from the city to the suburbs.




Fenway
sees Hattie through a somewhat rocky adjustment to her new neighborhood. He’s
got his own adjustments to make. Exuberant Fenway begins training, and has to
learn that Hattie is not just his loving human, but also the One in Charge. (I
feel your frustration, Hattie. I’ve learned from our Sam that terrier breeds
have BIG personalities.)




Fenway
and Hattie both begin making the transition to adolescence in the pages of this
funny book. Just as Hattie must practice to control her throwing arm --she
hopes to play baseball--, Fenway must practice to control his fear of THE
WICKED FLOOR. (Sam feels your pain, Fenway. Slippery floors are no fun. When
your front legs are running and your back legs are suddenly skittering off in
another direction? The indignity!)





Find it on Indiebound.





FENWAY
AND HATTIE debuts in February. Here is the blurb from Goodreads:




This lovable new series introduces a little dog with a GIANT
personality! 



Fenway is an excitable and endlessly energetic
Jack Russell terrier. He lives in the city with Food Lady, Fetch Man, and—of
course—his beloved short human and best-friend-in-the-world, Hattie. 



But when his family moves to the suburbs, Fenway
faces a world of changes. He’s pretty pleased with the huge Dog Park behind his
new home, but he’s not so happy about the Evil Squirrels that taunt him from
the trees, the super-slippery Wicked Floor in the Eating Room, and the changes
that have come over Hattie lately. Rather than playing with Fenway, she seems
more interested in her new short human friend, Angel, and learning to play
baseball. His friends in the Dog Park next door say Hattie is outgrowing him,
but that can’t be right. And he’s going to prove it!



Get a dog’s-eye view of the world in this
heartwarming, enthusiastic “tail” about two best friends.









FENWAY
AN H ATTIE is a middle grade novel, appropriate for second grade and up
(younger as a read aloud).




Who
will like it?

·                    
Animal
lovers and pet owners.

·                    
Kids
who think physical comedy is hysterical.

·                    
Readers
who are learning how to handle transitions




What
will readers learn about?

·                    
What
it’s like to view the world from a dog’s-eye-view. 

·                    
It
takes time to adjust to change, whether you are a person or a dog.





The
poem I’m pairing with FENWAY AND HATTIE is a dog’s-eye-view poem by my friend,
Michael Salcman. It comes from his book THE ENEMY OF GOOD IS BETTER. In
addition to being a poet and neurosurgeon, Michael is an art critic and
collector. This wonderful ekphrastic poem was written in response to a painting
by Henri Matisse.





Read about this painting at
the Baltimore Museum of Art's blog.


The
Dog Speaks

                   --Interior with
Dog (Matisse), 1934

By
Michael Salcman




I’m only half-asleep so I know you’re standing there

Wondering if I’m asleep. Nope.

It’s not easy to rest under this table—

For one thing, there’s a strong downward slope

And gravity’s got me half tipped out of my basket

Like an apple by Cezanne.

Talk about a flat world!

For another, I can’t get way from these colors

The red floor tiles, orange table leg

And pink wall burning on my lids like the sun.

Then again I’m never alone; the kids think a gray dog is
cute

And I’m the only dog in the room. I was bribed

(that’s my excuse) with a bone

And a bowl of fresh water. Really,

I wish you wouldn’t stare—it’s extra hard to be an icon

When you’re not an odalisque and have no hair.

Here’s the inside dope, he wore a vest when he painted them

But saved his housecoat for me. I liked sitting for him,

He was never rude and spared me his violin.

I think I look very dignified, not naked, just nude.




Merry Christmas from Rudy, Sam, and me!