Kikus Book Reviews - RECOMMENDED READ LIST

“A lyrical ode to man’s best friend, complete with hand-drawn depictions of a wide range of breeds. . . .Schenck’s (Priests and Warriors, 2013) children’s book, written in tribute to the author’s late uncle Earl Langford, describes the canine kingdom from the perspective of the animals themselves, using “I” and “we” to trace their evolutionary heritage from wild animals to the domesticated creatures we recognize today. With illustrations drawn by Uncle Earl’s wife, Ethel Langford, the realistic renderings have captions with breed names and physical characteristics such as height and weight. . . The journey, written in poetic prose, weaves in elements of Uncle Earl’s life with dogs, especially related to hunting: bird dogs flush out prey, retrievers fetch downed animals, terriers herd livestock, others even swim and nap with Uncle Earl. . . Schenck keeps the matter of being a good dog and good dog owner at the forefront, without delving into a specific relationship of any one dog with Uncle Earl. Such an expansive survey of the dog world ensures animal lovers will spot their favorite breed, with a two-page index listing breeds alphabetically. . . .A touching tribute to a dog lover and all sorts of canines.”