Instead of joining his girl-owner for a day at the beach, Homer opts to spend his day lazing on the front porch and he ends his day in his favorite armchair. 32 pages
Recommended by Frank Hodge, Emeritus Booktalker of HODGE-PODGE Books, New York, USA
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“Jamaica was a sweet young one, I loved her true
She was a comfort and a mercy through and through
Hiding from this world together, next thing I knew
We had brought her things down to the bay – what could I do?
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill these sails
And we will sail until our waters have run dry”
-- Jackson Browne, “Jamaica Say You Will” (1971)
“Homer sits on the porch.
What does he want to do today?”
Reading Elisha Cooper’s beautiful picture book HOMER – the tale of an
elderly dog who is no longer up to racing around, but finds contentment in
being around his people – I am reminded of my late mother’s dog, Jamaica.
I called my sister down in Costa Rica this morning to get the whole story
on how, in 1973, she’d come to bring home the black puppy who became Mom’s
constant companion for more than a decade. Jamaica was always with Mom:
in the house, out on walks, in her car, and under her desk at the office.
I learned that Jamaica was named for the Jackson Browne song by my sister’s best friend who was, shortly thereafter, forced by her parents to find a
new home for the mischievous puppy who kept getting into the garbage. That
is how my sister ended up bringing home Jamaica, who immediately adopted
Mom and who, like Homer, eventually grew old and sedentary but always exuded
a real sense of contentment.
“Swim in the waves?
“Run to the market?
“No, no. I’m fine right here.”
I love the manner in which Elisha Cooper portrays a sense of calmness and
contentment in HOMER. Beginning with the opening two page spread, we see
the world from HOMER’S vantage point on the edge of the porch. The various
human and animal characters share their comings and goings with the
steadfast Homer as they tromp back and forth across that porch.
It is not until the last few pages, after the sun has set, that we see
Homer get up from the porch. We then watch him go in through the doggie door
and have his dinner, then climb up into his favorite comfy chair, and go
to sleep.
Over the years, I’ve had my own share of old dogs that I have loved.
HOMER, who comes to life through Elisha Cooper’s gorgeous watercolor paintings,
is the latest of them.
32 pages
ISBN: 9780062012487
Recommended by Richie Partington, Librarian, California, USA
