"MADDIE ON THINGS: A Super Serious Project About Dogs and Physics," by Theron Humphrey, Chronicle Books, $15.95, 159 pages (nf)
Photographer Theron Humphrey traded his regular 9 to 5 life for a life of adventure in 2011. He set out to travel across all 50 states in 365 days and to meet one person a day. Tired of waking up every morning to the same routine, he wanted to live a good story.
In “Maddie on Things: A Super Serious Project About Dogs and Physics,” he chronicles his journey. He uses pictures of the places he visits with illustrative captions. The star of the book is his dog, Maddie.
Shortly after adopting Maddie, he discovered the coonhound's penchant for balancing on almost anything. The pictures not only show the places Humphrey visited, they show patient, calm Maddie posing on a variety of objects.
We see Maddie balanced on a giant watermelon in Mississippi, Maddie on a swing in Nebraska, Maddie on a ladder in Montana and Maddie on a snowy fire hydrant in Park City.
With sparse language and pictures that capture his journey, Humphrey shares the ride with his audience. Everyday objects that might be ignored when seen on a daily basis come alive with Maddie in the picture. The book is a love letter to the country and to a man’s relationship with a true companion.
Humphrey sums it up when he says, “Maddie taught that I should wake up every day and be grateful. She taught me that committing to something and sticking to it is how we grow. But most of all, she taught me that standing on things, everyday objects, can be incredible.”
“Maddie on Things” is a family-friendly book that would be great to share together. It is a book that can be visited again and again. Opening the pages of the book is like joining the journey and seeing the country through the eyes of a man and his dog.
If you go ...
What: "Maddie on Things" book tour and Theron Humphrey book signing
When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2 p.m.
Where: The King's English, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com, maddieontour.com
Connie Lewis attended the University of Utah and majored in journalism. She has been learning through research and writing for the past 30 years.