Dear Mrs. Larue: Letters from Obedience School

When I came across this book, I knew I had to read it. A dog writing letters home from dog obedience school? How can this not be an enjoyable book? Poor, misunderstood Ike has been sent off to the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy by his harried owner Mrs. Gertrude R. LaRue. Ike does what any dog would do in such a situation; he tries to make his owner feel so guilty about putting him there that she will come and get him. He does have a point of sorts, as the straw that broke the camel's (or, in this case, Mrs. LaRue's) back has two very different sides to it. As the days pass, Ike becomes defensive, then he changes tactics in an effort to show his owner how much she needs him back. Will poor Ike ever see his home again? Will he never again be able to munch on another one of Mrs. LaRue's apple pies? Perish the thought.This book is aimed at children four to eight years old, although parents and weird adults like me should also get a kick out of it. The letters are funny, and one could - if one were so inclined - make an object lesson out of comparing Ike's situation with that of a misbehaving child, but the big sell here is really the pictures. Each page is graced with vivid illustrations contrasting the reality of Ike's life at the Academy with the melodramatic visions of oppression and misery he tries to convey in his letters to Mrs. LaRue. If you are looking for that special book to convince your young child that reading is fun, Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School may well be that book.

As the local newpaper reports: "Citing a long list of behavioral problems, Snort City resident Gertrude R. LaRue yesterday enrolled her dog, Ike, in the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy. Established in 1953, the Academy has a history of dealing with such issues..." Poor Ike, as he tells it, in clever letters home to his mistress, his unfortunate incarceration is all a big mistake. Brotweiler is filled with bad dogs, and he doesn't fit in. He is very unhappy and just doesn't deserve this gross injustice. But as we take a peek at his life in obedience school, one thing becomes immediately apparent, Ike's not living a cruel doggy jailhouse existence as he claims, but is spending his days in the lap of luxury at what appears to be a plush canine spa, complete with pool, sauna, and waiter served gourmet meals..... Mark Teague's engaging text, with its dry, dead-pan delivery, is peppered with hilarious, guilt-laden hyperbole. But it's his marvelously creative and imaginative illustrations, rich in witty, eye-catching detail, that really make this book stand out and sparkle. Each two page spread shows Ike in bold color, leading the life of a pampered dog at "Club Pet" juxtaposed with the black and white jailhouse scenes of his letters, and kids will revel in being in on the joke. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Dear Mrs. LaRue is an entertaining, fun-filled romp that shouldn't be missed, and definitely one of the best new books of 2002.

I found this book quite by accident while in the children's section of the bookstore looking for a book for my infant daughter. I am a dog lover as well as a parent and as I read the book I could just imagine my dogs in the same predicaments -we've even started calling our one trouble maker, Scooby, Scooby LaRue. I laughed out loud at the store and bought the book immediately as a gift for another dog loving friend. I intend to purchase one for myself as well. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves dogs - its not just for kids!

This is the perfect dog lovers book. This captures the every whim and fancy or a dog's life and their many moods. I was very impressed. I read it in the middle of the store out loud as we shopped and I laughed so hard. I even had tears in my eyes because it was so incredibly close to home. When Ike gets in trouble for eating the chicken pot pie I am reminded of my dog sneaking into the kitchen to see what I may have left within his reach. It is a wonderful book for all ages- children will love this book. I bought it immediately!

My husband and I LOVED this book... it's a treat for readers of all ages! Anyone who has ever owned a pet... had a child... or BEEN a child... can relate all too well to Ike's melodramatic reimaginings of reality. No detail in this book has been overlooked... Ike's tone in every letter is perfect and true. The illustrations are packed with funny details. This is the perfect book for the child or dog-lover in anyone's life -- I've found the perfect Christmas stocking stuffer for about 8 people on my list!