Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm

February 28, 2011
In Katz's first book for children, illustrated with lively photos, the author explains how the four dogs (which have been the subject of several bestselling titles for adults) that live on his farm in upstate New York have distinct roles and responsibilities. Border collie Rose herds sheep, while another collie, Izzy, works outside the farm as a therapy dog ("He helps people feel better"). Frieda, a rottweiler and German shepherd mix, was wild before coming to the farm, and while her size and ground-shaking bark make her "a bit scary," she guards the farm against foxes and coyotes. Katz withholds black Lab Lenore's job until the end, repeating the question, "But what is Lenore's job?" Lenore makes cameos in the other dogs' profiles, and readers will soon understand the role she plays: "Lenore is not as quick as Rose, or as busy as Izzy, or as strong as Frieda. But she is a working dog. Her job is loving and accepting and having patience." While the basic message feels a bit overemphasized, dog-loving readers will value the attention paid to their individual contributions. Ages 4–8.

March 15, 2011

Katz has written several well-received books for adults about his working dogs and their life together at Bedlam Farm in upstate New York (Dog Days, 2007, etc.). In his first book for children, he introduces four of his canine companions and describes their personalities, specific jobs and interactions. Rose is a border collie whose job is herding sheep on the farm. Izzy is another border collie, a rescue dog who is now a therapy dog visiting patients in hospitals, and Frieda is a large, mixed-breed dog who guards the farm. Lenore is a black lab who appears throughout the story, along with the repeating refrain, "But what is Lenore's job?" The concluding pages present Lenore as the guiding spirit of the dog pack, a playful, friendly dog who keeps the whole group happy. Her job is "loving and accepting and having patience." The not-so-subtle message is that each individual contributes to a successful group in ways that are not always immediately apparent. The simple, informative story is illustrated with high-quality photographs of the dogs in action, using a wide variety of shots and settings that add visual interest. Young dog lovers will enjoy this, particularly those who own border collies or black labs. (Picture book. 4-8)

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Starred review from March 1, 2011

Gr 1-3-Border collies Rose and Izzy; Frieda, a rottweiler/German shepherd mix; and black Lab Lenore are four dogs living on Bedlam Farm in Upstate New York. Katz lives on the farm and has written about it for older audiences. While Rose, Izzy, and Frieda are working dogs with specific jobs to do, Lenore is different. She doesn't guide the sheep or guard the farm and she's not a trained therapy dog. She just keeps the occupants happy, and the canines operate as a family. The large, full-color photographs are totally engaging and capture the animals' distinct personalities. Lenore is shown contemplating a fly on her nose. Scary-looking Frieda, guard to the farm, gets nuzzled by Lenore. Therapy dog Izzy, the only guy in the group, snuggles at the feet of a patient. Rose, the serious one, glares at her sheep, keeping them in line. The writing is crisp and clear, and the stories (each dog gets its own turn) are sweet and filled with gentle humor. This gorgeous, heartwarming book, great for quiet reading and storytimes alike, stands out from the pack.-Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2011
Grades K-2 In a sort of picture-book version of his adult book A Dog Year (2002), Katz introduces the four dogs who now share life with him on a farm in upstate New York. Through simple text and bright photographs, the four pooches are described, one at a time. Rose, a border collie, herds sheep, and photos depict her staring down the flock even through heavy snow. Izzy was abandoned early in life but now is a therapy animal who visits the sick. Frieda, the rottweilerGerman shepherd mix, is a bit scary and guards the farm. The question asked at the end of each chapter is the same: But what is Lenores job? The answers clear, but Katz spells it out: the black Lab, who looks for disgusting things to eat and mud to roll in, is in charge of keeping the other dogs happy by loving themAnd that may be the greatest work of all. This is the love letter people wishes they could write to their own pets, and it makes a point well worth reiterating: in a family, all members are equally valuable.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)