Every Day's a Dog's Day: A Year in Poems by Marilyn Singer

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Singer, Marilyn. Illus, by Miki Sakamoto. 2012. Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated  ISBN 978-0-8037-3715-0

2.  PLOT SUMMARY
 In these very humorous poems are four dogs: Fizz, Rosalie, Buddy and Barkley who experience times of the year from the their viewpoint.  Their experiences are different from humans. Spring is about being mischievous and not about flowers. It is written from rhymed couplets to haiku. These dogs see holidays different from humans. They don’t really understand some holidays but they seem to feel it. Fizz shares his experience during Fourth of July when he is not to bark. One particular comical poem takes place during Halloween when the dogs cannot tell the real cats from their costumes. Hilariously funny!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Singer writes this book in rhymed couplets to haiku. She uses short lines to create a rhythm in her poems. She seems to create this intentionally for smooth rhythm.
Her poems rhyme in a comical way. She also creates imagery in which she states,
 “Though you’re fast, you’ll come in last,
     ’cause that cat will set the pace.
  Still, you’ve won because the fun
     is not the finish–IT’S THE CHASE!”
I can’t help but think about a dog running fast, but not as fast as a cat! What a powerful mental image for children. I imagine the the dog running after the cat but he won’t catch it because the cat is too fast. There is a plethora of imagery in this book of poems. Children need to create images in their minds to build understanding and this is a great book to read to them. Her balance of poems are well organized throughout the book. It’s a great way to see the world through the eyes of a dog.
This book of poems is geared for children 3-6 but will entertain any dog lover. Illustrations are appealing to the audience. The dogs always look like they are having mischievious fun with their owners. The thirty poems created by Singer are creative and hilarious to read. Great for a classroom collection. A must read book for all dog lovers.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
* Parents' Choice seal; Dog Writers Ass'n. of America award for Best Children's Book, 2012
* Publishers Weekly Reviews : PW Reviews 2012 February #4 - Sakamoto creates blissful scenes of cartoon dogs engaged in familiar behaviors like digging, snoozing, and relating to the kids that love them.
* Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2012 April #1-The playful rhymes are very simple and filled with physical action, and the rhythm in the words will have young preschoolers joining in ("I must dig a hole / to look for a mole / to bury a bone / to be all alone").

5. CONNECTIONS
*http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-269.html#.UdOKIlOg6sI
   “My Dog likes to Disco”
*http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-269.html#.UdOKIlOg6sI
    My Dog does my homework
*http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-492.html#.UdOK9lOg6sI
    My Dog plays invisible frisbee