Katz's photographs depicting the dogs' vastly different personalities are great fun for dog lovers and a fine lesson for dog fearers. Lenore, it turns out, makes sure everyone is happy.” —The New York Times Book Review
“This photographic essay aims at the heart of dog group dynamics on Jon Katz's Farm. A highly specific, not preachy, charmer.” —The Chicago Tribune
“The book introduces Rose, Izzy, Frieda and Lenore, dogs that live on Bedlam Farm. It talks about the jobs that each dog is in charge of and about life on the farm. The pictures are all photographs taken by Katz. They lovingly show the dogs working and playing in each season of the year.” —McClatchy-Tribune news
“Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz is a beautifully photographed and clever story.” —The Examiner.com
“This is the love letter people wish they could write to their own pets, and it makes a point well worth reiterating: in a family, all members are equally valuable.” —Booklist
“The large, full-color photographs are totally engaging and capture the animals' distinct personalities. . . . 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.” —School Library Journal, STARRED
“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. . . . dog-loving readers will value the attention paid to their individual contributions.” —Publishers Weekly
“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.” —Kirkus Reviews
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
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)
