Little Dog Poems
In Little Dog Poems, Kristine O'Connell George presents thirty little poems about a little dog - each one conveying
in just the right way what the little dog does throughout his day.
What is enjoyable about these poems is their small size calls for precision with language, which is exactly what George
provides. Each poem provides an event in the dog's life or life as a human thinks the dog might see it. According
to Long, "The events are as ordinary, and as entrancing, as a child's own daily round; the language is simple and concrete
enough for the youngest listeners" (Long 1999). The poem "Kitchen," for example, has only eleven words but it perfectly conveys
how most dogs behave in the kitchen:
Little dog watches / chopping / and stirring / with one big thought: / Drop.
George uses a mix of poetic elements, including concrete poetry - making the words of the poem into a certain shape.
The text of the poem "Morning Nap" are written in a circle, as the little dog curls up into a ball to sleep. George
uses free verse artfully; sentences are short and the meaning is exact.
The short poems about a dog who is both young and small in stature are complimented by the simple watercolor illustrations
of a self possessed young girl and her little mop of a dog, who is alert and adorable in each picture. A picture accompanies
each poem; the colors used are subdued hues - anything too bright might overwhelm the simplicity of the poetry and the book
itself.
After reading this collection it will be clear to anyone who has owned a dog that George has communicated so many charming
aspects of a dog's nature and life. The volume is enjoyable to read, and would be especially effective for use with
small groups of children or for children to read on their own. The language used is simple and attainable for beginning
readers, especially those with family dogs.
George, Kristine O'Connell. Little Dog Poems. Illustrated by June Otani. New York: Clarion
Books, 1999.
