Book Review - Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

A poetry diary that tells a story

about a boy who discovers words

and makes them his own.

Love That Dog

may be written for kids

who have doubts about

the catharsis of verse,

but I think it’ll melt the heart

of readers of all ages.

The nameless boy narrator

is delightfully stubborn

about his talent,

but Miss Stretchberry

sees his potential

and prints it often.

We experience great poets

William Blake, Robert Frost,

Walter Dean Myers and more,

alongside the narrator

and watch their words

slide into his own.

Until the boy finds his own voice

and reveals the significance

of a blue car spattered with mud

and a wonderful dog named Sky

till the tears fall

and a new poet is born.

Most of all, I adored

the steady progress

from snarky pastiches

to impactful pride,

which put me in mind

of Flowers for Algernon.

It may not inspire

your own poetry

but Love That Dog

will surely raise

a smile on your face

before the last page.

I recommend it to

kids, parents, poetry lovers

and, of course, dog people.