Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm

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