Shoot for the Moon

April 4, 2011
Originally self-published as The Tao of Rudy in 2007, Humphrey's square-format advice book offers familiar bits of inspirational wisdom ("Find a hero. S-t-r-e-t-c-h yourself, take the leap") that are given a big boost by the bold paintings that accompany them. The subject of each painting is the tan-and-white Rudy, who Humphrey adopted in 2005; in an afterword, she admits that Rudy "was not my first, second, or third choice," but that a walk outdoors with him quickly "hooked" her. Working in bright, solid colors, Humphrey paints Rudyâfeatureless but for his coloring, collar, and a red heart on his chestâas a whimsical, rambunctious presence. In an early scene, he paints a self-portrait (with owner), and later he "find a balance" atop a beach ball and "just roll with it" on a black carpet. Although the text tends toward the platitudinous, the book is appropriate for kids, adults, or grads, and it should warm the hearts of those already well aware of the joys of canine companionship. A portion of the book's proceeds benefits a Utah-based nonprofit that works with animal shelters. All ages.

May 1, 2011

Humphrey ascribes to her dog Rudy a number of platitudes on life and living splashed onto brightly colored pages.

Rudy, a brown-and-white dog with a red heart on his collar, is the protagonist. "Find a hero," says the text in big, bold script opposite an image of Rudy gazing upon a poster of a becaped Superdog who has captured a thief. "Find a balance ..." finds Rudy balanced on two paws on a red-and-white ball. Rudy stretches and leaps and rolls with it and follows his star, ensuring that he, and readers, "will find happiness wherever you are!" The back story for this self-indulgent pseudo-philosophy is the author/artist's adoption of Rudy from a shelter and how she began painting him, finding in him the source of her life lessons. The rich colors and simple shapes are eye-catching, but the simplistic advice is not. There is not a lot of child appeal. It is more like the kind of thing adults give to other adults instead of a fancy greeting card, although some of those evoke deeper emotions.

Ten percent of the net proceeds from sales will go to the Friends of Animals Utah, where Rudy was found. Or you can just make a direct donation. (Picture book. Adult)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

October 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 2-"It doesn't matter what kind of dog you are, you can create the life you want. Find a hero, stretch yourself, take the leap, and shoot for the moon." So begins this inspirational poem illustrated with bold, acrylic graphic-style paintings showing Rudy with his nose in a book, painting a picture, practicing the "downward dog" yoga pose, and dancing. The advice continues: "Don't be afraid of your shadow, find a balance, and just roll with it. When you follow your guiding star, you will find happiness wherever you are!" An author's note includes full-color photographs of the author with the real Rudy, whom she rescued from an animal shelter. Children may have been interested in Rudy's story-how he changed from a misbehaving, aggressive shelter dog to a beloved, inspiring pet-but the Zen-inspired life lessons that make up the book's text are too vague for them to relate to. Originally self-published as The Tao of Rudy in 2007, this is nothing more than a greeting card disguised as a gift book that adults (especially dog lovers) will enjoy.-Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.