Sidman Poetry: The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. (2003). The world according to dog: Poems and teen voices. Ill. by Doug            Mindell. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618283811

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices by Joyce Sidman is a unique collection of both poetry and prose. Intertwined with Sidman’s dog-centered free verse are canine anecdotes written by teenagers and their pet memories.

Sidman’s authors note explains how her dog’s companionship during a trying time was the inspiration for this book. The poems, written mostly for one voice, record many various topics about dogs from their shedding to separation to a comparison of noses. Dog owners and lovers will experience a warming of the heart as they read the poems of personal, relatable encounters with their canine pet.

The rhythms of the poems vary from triumphant in “The Banner of Dog” to slow and sad in “Separation.” Others are playful and cheery such as “Dog and Squirrel: Steps in a Flirtation” and “Foot Fetish.”

Sidman accurately describes so many aspects of owning a dog that readers will be eager to continue reading through the text to discover all the other tales. The inclusion of teens’ personal accounts adds so much depth to the book. The stories of how dogs play hard, love deeply, and find a special place in a family will remind readers of their own relationships with pets.

The subject of a dog’s world alone will appeal to readers. Sidman’s accounts of dog stink, loneliness when the family is away, and troubles a pooch finds will stimulate readers’ emotions as they think back to or wish for their own canine friend.

To add to the appeal, Doug Mindell supplies photographs of various breeds that make the perfect companion to each poem. The slightly blurred images draw the focus in, like the book, onto the dogs. Many of the teenagers also supply photos of their dogs, adding a personal, sincere element.

To aid the reader, Sidman provides a table of contents at the front of the book dividing up the poems into four units. Page numbers help readers allocate a specific section, prose piece, or poem. A fun feature at the conclusion of the book is called “Doggy Bag”. It is an alphabetical section of idioms and expressions that give meaning to “dog” phrases such as “in the doghouse” and “dog tired”.

Each poem exhibits Sidman’s quality writing and Mindell’s stunning photographs. The prose is written so eloquently by such young writers. The excellence of both is joined to make one magnificent piece of literature about man’s best friend.

POETRY SPOTLIGHT

“Dog and Squirrel: Steps in a Flirtation”

The bushy flick of your tail

catches my attention.

            I am aware of your presence,

            but I am ignoring you.

You are now my bull’s-eye.

This will be a fine game.

            It may be a game,

            but I set the rules.

Whenever you lower your guard,

I step forward.

            I never lower my guard.

            All escape routes are intact.

My body is an arrow

pointing at your heart.

            O large clumsy one,

            have you any idea how fast I can run?

I draw closer.

The space between us is nothing.

            Odd how the sunlight

            kindles your dark fur.

I can taste the silk of your tail.

You can’t possibly get away now.

            I know the precise point at which

            I must flee. Still, those eyes…

Gaze locked. I pounce!

And you are…

            Gone, of course.

            My heart pounds! See you tomorrow?

This fabulous poem, meant for two voices, will be an amusing real-aloud. There are two ideal ways to present this poem. If two readers are willing to go solo, they can each take a part and present the poem. However, a more involved method is to divide the whole group into two smaller groups. Group one will read the part of the eager dog while group two reads the part of the crafty squirrel. Having the groups read with expression will create quite the comical chorus of verse!

Because the poem ends with “See you tomorrow?”, the continuation is open for interpretation. In response to the poem, have groups of students script out a short skit showing the interaction between the squirrel and dog the following day. Allow volunteer groups to perform their skits.