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I Could Chew on This: And Other Poems by Dogs
by Francesco Marciuliano
Chronicle Books
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Inside Jacket: From toy poodles to great danes, dogs of all sizes, breeds, ages, and dispositions have an inner poet lurking just beneath the surface. Written by these astute and inspired canines, with instant classics such as “I Dropped a Ball,” I Lose My Mind When You Leave the House,” and “Can You Smell That?” Each poem in this collection perfectly captures the quirkiness and unbridled enthusiasm of man’s best friend.
Opening: Dogs have never been shy about expressing their emotions. When they’re happy, they wag their tails. And when they’re suffering from ennui, they wag their tails . . .
What I Thought: I love this book of poetry. It may be a small book—no bigger than a photograph once received from a roll of 35mm film—but the wisdom it contains from our best friends is immeasurable. I Could Chew on This contains four chapters: Inside, Outside, By Your Side, and Heavy Thinking. Every part of a dog’s life finds expression in one or two of these poems. Topics include separation anxiety, dinnertime, wearing clothes and raincoats, and barking at the TV. The dogs speak of walking, going to dog parks, making mistakes, and channeling everything into their humans.
I read this book in one sitting, laughing the entire time. Some of these poems are so spot-on about dogs, but then, considering these are all canine poets knowing about themselves as expected. Like me, you will most likely learn a few things you did not know about Spot, Rover, or Jimmy. For instance, did you know how dogs decide who the leader will be, or that there are six ways to say your dog’s name? Me either.
I love the humor in each poem. I love the each dog’s enthusiasm, character, intelligence, insightfulness, and pathos. Dogs spend their lives trying to please their human companion(s). We humans do not always understand our dogs as they would like to be understood. Take the poem Splash as an example of a time when we humans need to be the insightful half of this relationship.
The illustrations are all photographs of a dog or dogs physically expressing the thought of the poem next to it. The dogs and pups are adorable, even when caught in some of the less charming predicaments. In the poems dogs open up and express what they are and how they feel about so many things. It is like having a peephole into the doghouse. One poem I like is from a puppy. The pup explains the difference between two dogs playing and fighting.
I Could Chew on This is not a children’s book. I do think it is child-friendly and since there are so many animal lovers on this site, I thought it would be a nice treat. Together, you and your child can read these poems and begin to understand your dog like never before. Hide the book so your dog is surprised and curious how you suddenly know why he barks at other dogs, at the dog park, at the television. When it is time to go out and it is raining, forget the raincoat. Your dogs will love you for it, even while being totally surprised you finally understand his objections to those little yellow boots.
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I Could Chew on This: And Other Poems by Dogs
by Francesco Marciuliano blog facebook
Chronicle Books website blog facebook twitter
Released July 30, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4521-1903-8
112 pages
Age: all ages
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© 2013 by Chronicle Books, used with permission
Text copyright © 2013 by Francesco Marciuliano
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Related articles
- Nonfiction Books by Dogs (mediumlarge.wordpress.com)
- Reading Poetry in the Classroom (teacherspodium.wordpress.com)
Kids Lit Review 
I love it! I must get it and read this to my four dogs. They will love it too.
Oh, how our lives are enhanced by the dog friends we have. Arararararaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar.
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And our kittie friends. Can’t forget them. They get a bit testy if you do. *yow! stop it! who cares if they know you get testy, they don’t know you from fluffy. OW!*
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I’ve had this one on my wish list, but my library doesn’t have it yet! They have 2 library dogs, but not this book?! It sounds like one that every dog owner should have close by! And I didn’t know that it was a little book. The Mom Person LOVES little books. Thanks for sharing this one!!!
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Maybe because it just released in July is why your library does not have it yet. Ask them to get it in. If they have 2 library dogs, then join them in asking for the book. Bark your way through this one.
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I already have had them put it on their wish list! Hopefully it will be there soon. ARRROOOO!
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Yeah! You’ll love it. Might even inspire you to write your own poem. When you have fully devoured the book, get the book that started it all, I Could Pee on That – by various feline poets. 🙂
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I think our cat must have contributed to that book.
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This book sounds really cute. Great review!
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Thanks. It is a funny book with hilarious poems and great pictures of dogs. If you like dogs, you’ll like I Could Chew on This. If you prefer cats, check out I Could Pee on This. 🙂
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I MUST get this book! (and the cat companion) The poems you share are HILARIOUS!!! 😆
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Do you have a dog or cat? I’ve never heard you mention either. See, one thing I forgot to mention is both canine and feline poets won the provision that these would only be sold to those people they own. Just tell the clerk you are a reviewer. It might work. Or throw ’em a bone
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I LOVE this book already! You had me at the 1st picture (I’m FREE! I’m Lost!). I love dogs and to me this is a must read. Thanks so much for sharing this, otherwise I might never have heard of it.
Paul R. Hewlett
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I love this, too. It is the companion to I Could Pee on This from feline poets. I hope you enjoy this book. and I bet my next treat you will. 🙂
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Why didn’t Mom think of this??? I could’ve helped her write it! Super SUPER fun! I hope she reads it to me…. Great choice, S. Thanks!!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Sooo glad you like it. Do not remember who I promised a dog book (either you or Rhythm), but poems by dogs it a double-whammy!
Not to take anything away from the “author” who found so many dogs with poems, you and your writer-mom probably know enough canines who like poems to co-author a book like this. This is actually the companion book to a book of poems by cats entitled, I Could Pee on This. It is pretty funny, too. 😀
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