From the Turner Publishing website:
"With wry wit, deep insight, and vivid anecdotes, Tim McHugh gives voice to the family pet and delves into the place where the canine and human hearts become one. Ivan, a mixed-breed dog-philosopher with an extreme underbite and various other deformities, chronicles his life story with keen observations about his adopted family and the people he loves, covering the life events that touch us all. Throughout his life Ivan keeps plugging forward with optimism and faith, always striving to learn from his mistakes, believing that even as he is ultimately facing old age, disease, and death, life is all the more wonderful. To Ivan, love and relationships with people are what matters most, and that if a deformed pound dog like him can find love and acceptance, anyone can. His is a lively, humorous story of hope and perseverance."
"While Ivan is a light, witty, philisophical adult book, it is also a book that can easily be shared by a mother reading to her children, a teacher reading to a group of 4th graders, or story time at the library. It has appeal for all audiences. Ivan is so likable, he's got you from the first paragraph. You'll find yourself slowing down as you relunctantly reach the end of the book."
-Kate Whitrock