Dear Mrs.LaRue;Letters from Obedience School

I hope the next story will be constructed with more care.


Oh, Poor Ike LaRue...   December 17, 2002
K. A. Peterson
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

In a series of letters from dog Ike LaRue to his owner, we learn that Ike has been sent to doggie reform school for a long list of transgressions, not the least having to do with the neighbors' cats.

Of course Ike is not to blame and is an innocent victum of circumstance. At least, he tries to convince his owner of his innocence and pleads for her to get him out. As his request goes unanswered, his letters become more and more desperate.
You'll have to read the book to see how Ike resolves his problem.

This is a funny one, one I'm buying for all of the kids I know. Recommended!


Great Book for Any Age!   December 8, 2002
voraciousreader1 (Florida, USA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Although this book is going to be a Christmas present for a 7 year old, it was so good that I admit that I thought about keeping it for myself!

This picture book tells the story of Ike, a fun-loving dog who gets into trouble once to often. His person, Mrs. Larue, send him to obedience school, from whence he sends letters to Mrs. Larue describing the "awful" circumstances of the school. The joke, which kids will get due to the contradictions between the illustration and text, is that the school is more of a resort than the prison Ike makes it out to be in his letters home.

A very funny book with charming illustrations and real way with words. Highly recommended.


FREE IKE!   December 2, 2002
Ark Lady (Diana L Guerrero) (Big Bear, California)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Copyright 2002 By Diana Guerrero
This book is a fun and clever story of Ike, who gets sent off to obedience school for his naughty behavior. Ike is also an aspiring writer!

The book is a series of letters written to his owner from the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy as he serves his two month term. Ike tries to explain his past bad behavior and about how horrible it at school--painting a picture of a horrible term in jail. His descriptions are shown in black and white pictures while the real story of his plight can be found in full color adjacent to the others.

Ike decides to make a jail break and is on the run, returning in time to save his mistress. You'll absolutely love this book whether you are a kid, parent, adult or dog lover!


It's a Dog's Life.....   November 18, 2002
Roz Levine (Virginia)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

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.