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48 THE NEW BARKER 
A REGULAR COLUMN FEATURING DOG-THEMED BOOKS, and occasionally, MUSIC & FILM, REVIEWED BY THE NEW BARKER TEAM
books, movies, music & more...
The Dogs of Venice captures the sig-
nature wit and insight of Steven Rowley. 
Several years ago, we featured The New 
York Times best-selling book, 
Lily and the Octopus. In The 
Dogs of Venice, the city itself 
becomes one of the books 
indelible main characters.  After 
planning a trip together to 
Venice, Paul’s marriage falls 
apart. Lonely and confused, he 
decides to make the trip by 
himself. Upon arriving in 
Venice, he’s drawn to a small, 
scruffy dog trotting along the 
canal. The confidence this little 
dog displays is just the kind of 
confidence Paul desperately 
seeks for himself. Who knew 
that such a big fulfilling story 
could be told in such a small 
book (just 62 pages)? As he 
searches for the dog throughout 
the story, Paul begins to 
embrace the life lessons that are 
placed before him. It is a charm-
ing story of love lost and inde-
pendence found. “Perhaps how 
to be alone wasn’t event the les-
son Paul was seeking; how to be 
present was,” Rowley writes. 
 
Remember to EAT 
If ever there was a book whose 
cover symbolized “don’t judge a 
book by its cover,” this would be 
it.The dog on the cover makes 
her first appearance in the 
book’s second chapter. Each of the 22 
chapters is a standalone story that follows a 
Jewish family – mainly a mother and 
daughter, and their families and friends. 
The stories all tie together,  chronicling 
their lives – from before World War II 
through COVID-19.  
     Favorite quote from the book: “She 
remembered his definition of celebrity 
because it hit home now. ‘A person who is 
known for his well-known-ness.’ Nothing 
more, nothing less.”
Cooper (pictured below) is the newest addition to The New Barker family. He may only be eight 
months old, but he appears to have a nose for good books. Summer reading, anyone? 
The Dogs of Venice 
By Steven Rowley 
Published 2025 
G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Van Gogh’s Dog As a lover of all things 
Vincent Van Gogh, this children’s book has 
become a favorite of ours. It was written 
by Georgia Larson, who lives in Scotland, 
and illustrated by Grace Helmer, who lives 
in England. Using Van Gogh’s vibrant col-
ors and deft brushstrokes, the story follows 
Vincent Van Gogh, who chases a mischie-
vous dog through town and across the 
countryside, and soon finds the inspiration 
for his most famous works of art.
Remember to Eat 
By Meryl Ain 
Published 2026 
SparkPress
Van Gogh’s Dog 
By Georgia Larson & Grace Helmer 
Published 2024 
Penguin Random House LLC

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