If Dogs Run Free

by Bob Dylan, Scott Campbell (Illustrator)

WINNER OF THE NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE

Music icon Bob Dylan and acclaimed illustrator Scott Campbell team up in this delightful interpretation of Dylan’s 1970 song, “If Dogs Run Free”!

If dogs run free,
Why not we?

In this quirky, spirited interpretation of Bob Dylan’s 1970 song, “If Dogs Run Free,” illustrator Scott Campbell brings Dylan’s lyrics to life as a celebration of the freedom and creativity of childhood. Children of all ages will delight in the message, “Just do your thing!”

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Poetry, Childrens, Dogs, Animals, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2013

About the author

Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, poet, and, of late, disc jockey who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. Much of Dylan's most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when he became an informal chronicler and a reluctant figurehead of American unrest. A number of his songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements. His most recent studio album, Modern Times, released on August 29, 2006, entered the U.S. album charts at #1, making him, at age sixty five, the oldest living person to top those charts.

Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature (2016).

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite Bob Dylan song! The illustrations are delightful. I wish there were more song books like this. How many great songs were written in The 20th century?

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

The lyrics from Bob Dylan's song, If Dogs Run Free, are used as the text for this poetic picture-book, with watercolor artwork contributed by Scott Campbell, whose illustrations can also be found in such titles as East Dragon, West Dragon and the recent XO, OX: A Love Story . Dogs and children cavort on these pages, racing trains, playing on playgrounds, and flying through the air.

Although a great admirer of many of Bob Dylan's songs, particularly when performed by other artists (Peter, Paul and Mary; Joan Baez, etc.), I am not familiar with If Dogs Run Free, and I can't help but feel that this affected my appreciation for this picture-book. Would a familiarity with this song, as performed, increase my enjoyment of it? Possibly, but be that as it may, I found the text here, when read on the page, rather disjointed and random. The artwork also didn't particularly impress me, although (once again) I have enjoyed Campbell's illustrations in other picture-books. I suspect I'm in the minority here, but If Dogs Run Free just didn't do anything for me, and is one that I suspect will have appeal mostly for Bob Dylan fans, rather than a more general audience.

[Julian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a casual Dylan listener and enjoy some of his songs. "If Dogs Run Free" is OK for me, but it just doesn't work in a book, where it is evident the lyrics are meaningless without music and voice to make up for the nonsense, Nobel Prizes aside.

"If dogs run free, then what must be
Must be, and that is all"

That is a quick example.

The artwork is barely OK, with lots of dogs, some of them looking like sheep or just deformed, doing all sorts of things.

Acceptable for a library choice, but I wouldn't spend money on it.

[Scott Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great song off the Bob Dylan album "New Morning" . Nicely added illustrations.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth out of four Bob Dylan books that have been interpreted as children's books is perhaps the most children-centered of the four. The title of the song, "If Dogs Run Free," conjured up images of running around, throwing tennis balls, and swimming in ponds. All of that is in this book.

The song (CD not included) is one of the strangest Dylan songs I've heard. It's jazzy, free-form, and even somewhat hard to listen to.

The book itself contains very childish and carefree illustrations. It becomes sort of a Where's Waldo as you see what the scores of canines are doing. And they are doing a lot. My son didn't like it at first. The text isn't as musical as the other Dylan books (all of which he adores), and it actually contains some difficult words. It's extremely poetic, though, and the busyness of the pictures will grow with him as we search for more dogs.

I can't wait for the next Dylan-inspired children's book, and hope it's either "When the Ship Comes In" or "Lay Down Your Weary Tune."

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I wouldn't necessarily have dreamed of using the lyrics of Bob Dylan for a picture book, that choice seems to work here as children and canines frolic through fields, roll down hills, race through the streets. and celebrate freedom. Ah, the wonderfully carefree days of childhood! The watercolor illustrations are filled with dogs of all size, shape, color, and breed. Young children may enjoy this one as a read-aloud especially since they can relate to the dogs' enjoyment of the daily pleasures that come their way. Musical accompaniment is needed here.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another picture book which brings one of Dylan's songs to life in a different way, presenting the lyrics with some pictures. It appears that this might now be a thing I wonder how many songs will get this treatment?

[Victoria Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and sweet for children

I would have liked to have this for a book after my dog was mutilated by a drug dealer at age seven. I am sure it would have made me feel better. Its profound and not profane on a kiddie level probably. I like it better than Silver stein even.

[Abby Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun poetry book for younger readers. I think this would be a great way to introduce poetry. This book would also be great as a read aloud for emergent readers.

Genre: poetry

[Rich Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This works so well as a picture book. Simple and light with a good poetic message.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a Yoshidog.

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like I probably would have liked this one better if I knew the song the words are from. It would probably have read better if I could have read it as I sang the song in my head.

[Chinook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was lyrical and a bit odd at Rome’s but the illustrations really make this book.

[Khloe Howie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great song but not great as a children’s book. The two themes have trouble finding room to develop in the short volume. Illustrations are great and really help with the movement of the story.

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not a Bob Dylan fan in general, and the lyrics really don't work in a picture book format.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hate hate double hate. Who takes an awful song and makes it into a kids book. There is no logic.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

The reason l didn’t like this book was that it doesn’t make sense, but It rhymes. I would rather books that don’t rhyme that make sense than books that rhyme, and don’t make sense. So that is why l didn’t like this book.

[Robin Raines-Bond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not familiar with this Bob Dylan song, but this book made me google it and listen to it. Enjoyed all the frolicking dogs.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Today, we read If Dogs Run Free, written by Bob Dylan and illustrated by Scott Campbell, a picture book inspired by the lyrics of Dylan’s 1970 song of the same name.

Accompanied by darling and joyful illustrations, the lyrics unfold across the pages as the story follows two children and their dog, asking the question, “If dogs run free, then why not we?” The rhymes are simple and fun to read, and the book has a great flow to it (plus, if you’re a fan of the song, it can be sung all the way through).

Our favorite part were the illustrations, which are playful, colorful, and really bring Dylan’s sometimes-abstract lyrics to life. The adventures of the children and their dog, and the many sights and friends that greet them along the way, are thoroughly detailed and filled with whimsy.

Otherwise, the length is great for baby bookworms, and we had a lot of fun reading this one together. Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bob Dylans voice is in my head..it sounds like an engine that won't start or an engine that is dying. However, even though he can't sing, he is a poet, no doubt about that, but this book doesn't thrill me at all. The pictures are messy looking with kids with large unnatural upsetting eyes with even bigger head.... The dogs are just blobs that could be dogs, could be rocks with legs, could be large tree limbs could be mice...

BUT... the idea "The best is always yet to come, That's what they explain to me Just do your thing, you'll be king If dogs run free" I can live with that!

[Sushie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Campbell is one of my all-time favorite illustrators and the fun, carefree illustrations combined with Bob Dylan's hopeful lyrics nearly made me cry?? So maybe that's not a plus for storytime...

Iggi's Storytime Criteria
Age group: Toddlers +
Content: "Do your thing", imagining a better world, dog-care
Plot: Big Concept, but uncomplicated
Wordiness: Low, poetic
Length: Medium
Illustrations: Some of The Best, but a bit low-contrast
Other: Song, poetry, celebs, Ask "What's one fantastic way you would improve the world?"

[Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Dylan children's book words-wise, but the pictures might be my favorite. The illustrations are fun and cute and full of things to explore. If you've heard the song, you know that it's not your prototypical song, which makes it actually a little difficult to read.

But the message is a good, and my daddy has found that if he reads it quicker I'm more apt to enjoy it.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of all the songs and all the amazing lyrics Bob Dylan has written, I'm not sure why someone would choose to illustrate this particular one. But "to each his own, it's all unknown, if dogs run free." It's not my favorite set of lyrics, and I'm not big on the artwork either, personally. But it's interesting to see Bob's lyrics being illustrated for children.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

An illustrated celebration of childhood and Dylan's poetic lyrics.

I LOVE the watercolor illustrations. The page where the dogs are all rolling down the hill made the book for me!

I wish a CD with the song had been included with the book, but it's a good read for PreK-2 even in its absence.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, love, love all the dogs in this book! It's a dog-a-palooza! This is the same illustrator as the new classic Zombie in Love, I adore this quirky yet endearing watercolor style. I wish I hadn't looked for the song, maybe an instrumental version? Jazzy sound is fun but Dylan's voice is not.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted there to be a tune to go with this story--it is very much written as a song. The pictures are simple watercolors (the eyes can be a little creepy), but overall it is cute and kid-friendly.

[Kristen Hein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic poetry book for young readers. The illustrations and I spoke were very simple but very alluring. I think that children would enjoy this as an introduction to poetry, with basic rhyming words and also a fun story line.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the five Dylan songs turned into a picture book for kids.

It's a jazzy and relaxed tune that supports the carefree lyrics and summertime story.

Play the tune while following it through the book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful illustrations surrounding the text of a classic song.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The song lyrics are, in typical Dylan fashion, inscrutable, but the illustrations are all kinds of adorable.