For this last post in celebration of Banned Books Week, I want to share a book that comes out today that might inspire you to go to your local bookstore. It’s Photobooth Dogs
All images copyright Cameron Woo, 2010. If you can’t get to a bookstore (as a country girl I have a new perspective on this), you can order it here
If ever there was a case for the insitution of professional librarians, as opposed to outsourced hires working for minimum wage, it's Awful Library Books. The blog, started by Michigan librarians Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly, features outdated and ridiculous titles that have been mercifully culled from the stacks. Go there now if you need a good laugh. Seriously, it's one of the funniest blogs on the Web.
Thank you, Madame Librarians, for your good taste and sense of humor. Just brilliant!
The Call of the Wild first edition book cover, published in 1903
Since 1982, the last week in September has been dedicated Banned Books Week, described as the celebration of the freedom to read, and sponsored by the American Library Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the National Association of College Stores and endorsed by the Center for the Book of the Library of Congress. The week is also a celebration of libraries, bookstores, and favorite books. Our California county recently defeated a proposal to outsource the libary to a private company based in Maryland. Depressingly, The New York Times reports that many counties are not so lucky. Also, Grass Valley recently almost lost one of the most exquisite book stores in town called Words on Paper. Somehow, even during the Worst Financial Crisis Since the Great Depression (TWFCSTGD), it has stayed open. So this week, consider stopping by the library to give your librarian an extra "thank you," and if you buy books (I am more of a library girl), pop into your local bookstore and spend your dollars there.
In honor of Banned Books Week, I am going to post about dogs and books all week.
GOOD has an interesting graphic of the most targeted books in 2009.
If you need a good book to read, visit my cousin Clair Lamb's 2009 incarnation of her Answer Girl blog (this year she is doing songs not books so make sure to click on 2009 in the archives). She is a passionate reader and every recommendation she has ever given me has been terrific. Be warned, Clair is partial to murder mysteries. I'm not, but still consider her the best book-picker I know.
If you have any recommendations for great dog books, dog loving authors, or librarians, leave a commet below.
P.S. According to the University of Pennsylvania's Online Books Page, in 1929 The Call of the Wild was banned by Italy and Yugoslavia for being too radical.
I was going to write a long article about why “My Dog Tulip,” animated by hand by husband and wife team Paul and Sandra Fierlinger, based on the 1956 memoir by J. R. Ackerley, looks so good. Then I was sent this video review by Jim, who says it all. And he actually saw the film, so I’ll let him tell you…
I’ve mentioned before that I am not big on stories about other people and their dogs because they usually involve the dog dying. But this film looks more like a celebration. And I even want to read J. R. Ackerley’s book, which has been re-released with one of the Fierlingers’ drawings on the cover. It is available here
Right now the film is touring the country. Visit the “My Dog Tulip” website for more information.
Also, John Anderson of the New York Times recently wrote about the film, the filmmakers, and all the dog-lovers involved in the making of “My Dog Tulip” here.
And finally, note the tag line for the film: “Sometimes love really IS a bitch.”
Perfect.
Micheal Surtees reviews Obsessive Consumption: What Did You Buy Today?
at his blog DesignNotes:
At first glance Obsessive Consumption: What Did You Buy Today?
by Kate Bingaman–Burt seems
pretty straight forward. Kate has drawn objects, things and animals on a
daily basis between Feb 2006 to Feb 2009. While each object is
different, her recognizable drawing style makes all the miscellaneous
consumption consistent. What makes the book worth looking at more than
just the images are the personal annotations that follow each drawing.
Because she’s dated everything a viewer can see what was important on
Christmas or as one example I’ve shown, on Buy Nothing Day. Between the
drawing, story and date a fascinating pattern emerges that shifts the
book about being from design and becomes more of an anthropological or
maybe a social study. (read more)
{This post is written by one of my favorite dog photographers, Melissa McDaniel.}
When I first got my dog Sadie, I didn’t know anything about deaf dogs. Sadie was relinquished to a local shelter after the owners found out she and all of her littermates were born deaf. It wasn’t long before I learned two things about deaf dogs. One, although they require some different training techniques, for the most part, deaf dogs are just like any other dogs – just as smart, trainable, fun-loving, loving. Two, many deaf dogs have a very rough start in life. Negligent owners believe their dogs don’t listen to them because they are stupid or stubborn, which tragically leads to deaf dogs being abused. Even worse, many deaf puppies aren’t given a chance at life – they are euthanized simply because they are deaf. For these reasons, I started photographing for the photo book projects. I wanted to create a photo book that showed the beauty of these dogs and told their stories, that raised awareness and perhaps changed some laws.
I’ve been traveling the country for a year now to photograph for the deaf dog photo book, and a subsequent book on rescued dogs. I am hoping the sales of the books will raise $300,000 for animal rescue and deaf dog advocacy groups – but the only way that will happen is if I am able to raise the money for printing. I’m publishing the books myself, and in an effort to raise money for the high printing costs, I am offering pre-orders and holding two contests.
If you believe in what I’m doing and would like to help in some way, enter your dog in the contest to be in this year’s photo book, pre-order the books (for you or for gifts) at a discount, or tell your rescue/shelter about the affiliate contest and get them involved. Or, simply send your friends to this blog post to help spread the word.
The only way this project will make a difference is for people to see these books. Thank you! Your support of the projects is greatly appreciated by me (and Sadie!)!
I received a nice note from photographer Traer Scott in which she explains why her book Street Dogs
is her favorite (you might know her work from Shelter Dogs
). In her own words…
"Street Dogs
explores the lives, deaths and rescue of dogs living alone and in packs in the streets, jungles and deserts of Puerto Rico and Mexico. In making the book, I traveled for months with animal rescuers throughout rural and urban areas in both countries in an attempt to document the many facets of animal abandonment and abuse along with the efforts being made to bring about change. It is my personal favorite of my three books and of course, a percent of all sales are donated to charity. In this case, The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). There are actually many happy endings in the book…"
I think this would be a great book for the dog lover, the traveler, or the photographer in your life. There is still time to order it here
and receive it in time for Christmas.
Enjoy heartwarming illustrations from The Puppies of Pillow Land. This bed time story, which is due to be released next Christmas, invites the hearts and minds of both children and adults to consider our companions as spiritual creatures.
The Puppies of Pillow Land gently guides your child through the lands of fable and lore to produce a comforting story which is accompanied by its own snugly breed-related pillow. The author and illustrator, Vanda Lavar, weaves a tale of wonder, love, and unfailing nighttime protection as The Puppies of Pillow Land guard the night for sleeping children.
The pillows are available now for $15, with the book soon to follow, along with other specialty gifts based on these lovable characters. To order the pillows visit PillowLandPuppies.com.
There will be new breeds available as images are added weekly. Additionally, each pillow has a slot located in the back panel in which to store “jammies.”
You may remember Vanda’s fabulous illustrations from Tucker’s Tale
, a book which recently made Laura Bush’s reading list. Tucker’s Tale
Ms. Lavar’s works are recognized throughout the world. Recently her works were featured on puzzles found in Target Stores across the United States. Last year, Ms. Lavar was an invited artist to the 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held at Madison Square Gardens. Her works are available on a variety of product matter from mouse pads to garden flags. She is currently accepting commissions from both the public and corporate sector. Her personal website is DogArtist.me. Contact Vanda for more information via her email. or phone: 530-919-3964.
Artwork from Flawed Dogs: The Novel: The Shocking Raid on Westminster
by Berkeley Breathed
I am not crazy about comics, but I adore Berkeley Breathed's Flawed Dogs: The Year End Leftovers at the Piddleton. Now, inspired by one of Michael Vick's former dogs who became a lover not a fighter after being given a second chance, Breathed has turned his picture book into novel for young adults called Flawed Dogs: The Novel: The Shocking Raid on Westminster
P.S. Yes, the main character is a Dachshund with a soup ladle for a hind leg.
Order your copy here
Twenty-five years ago, Kait Matthews decided to become an actress instead of an artist. Stage productions, TV guest spots, and film roles followed. Then, a move from her hometown of Toronto to the big leagues of Los Angeles paid off with a three-year role on a soap opera. It appeared Kait had made the right choice; she had become a working actress. But by definition "working" means waiting. And eventually, Kait began to fill her hours of down time on the set by filling her sketchbook with her own work. And that work provided her a path back to her other love when her journey as an actress began to wind down (for a female in Hollywood that usually means circling thirty). Now, after graduating summa cum laude from The Laguna College of Art and Design, Kait is an artist and feels like she has come full circle. And along the way, she discovered that picking one dream over another sometimes allows you to live both.
As a painter, Kait initially focused on people, not dogs. She was drawn to the emotion of her subjects, or more specifically their eyes. An actress would know all about that, and it shows that oftentimes late-blooming artists often bring an arsenal of expertise to their work that could never have been learned in a studio.
It was the death of her friends' dog named Skye that brought Kait to pet portraits. The painting she created of her friends' beloved Westie brought them so much joy that she realized being an artist means more than a having a new career. It is a gift, one she could share with other dog lovers, and so her company Kool Dog Art was born. In truth, though, going from people to pets was not much of a stretch, because Kait believes that all animals have souls. One of the artist who inspires her work, 19th century French animal painter Rosa Bonheur, felt the same way, and Kait features this quote from Bonheur on her website:
I was only happy in the company of animals. I really got into studying their ways, especially the expression in their eyes. Isn't the eye the mirror of the soul for each and every living creature? Nature didn't give them any other way to express their thoughts, so that's where their feelings and desires get reflected.
Or as Kait likes to put it more succinctly, "Dog are people too." Indeed.
To commission a portrait of your pet, visit Kait Matthews's website KoolDogArt.com. A percentage of all sales go to your choice of Kait's favorite animal rescues. Also, Kait has compiled her favorite dog portraits in her book Kait's Cainines. Click here to get your copy. It's a great gift idea for the dog art lover in your life.
