Bibliography
Teague, M. (2002).Dear Mrs.LaRue: Letters from Obedience School.New York: Scholastic Press.
Book Summary:
Ike has been sent to obedience school due to his exasperating behavior; stealing food, chasing the neighbors cats, howling whenever the owner is away , and pulling his owner down and tearing her camel’s hair coat while walking across the street. Ike writes letters to his owner describing the “horror” he has to endure.
My Impression:
The illustrator uses white and black and color pictures. The black and white illustrations show what Ike is imagining and writing in his letters. The colorful picture show what is actually happening at the school. The illustrations are very detailed. Towards the middle of the book Ike claims that “Miss Klondike has taken my typewriter. She claims it disturbs the other dogs.”The writing changes from typed to hand written to reflect the “loss” of the typewriter. However, from what the pictures reveal, the situation is nothing like Ike would like us to believe. His living conditions are quite luxurious. This book is hilarious. The pictures are detailed and help tell the story. The fact that the story is in form of letters makes it more interesting and unique. The book is appropriate for kids in second grade through fourth grade.
Reviews:
School Library Journal:
K-Gr 2 –Ike is one bad dog, so it's off to the Brotweiler Canine Academy, school for errant pooches. The dog has been known to steal food, chase the neighbor's cats, and destroy clothing. From school, Ike writes home to his person, Gertrude LaRue. Black-and-white illustrations portray the canine's version of his confinement, while splashes of color show the reality. According to Ike, it's a real prison at the academy; he's even got the striped outfit to prove it. In reality, he is lodged at a virtual doggy resort and spa, complete with sauna, pool, and gourmet eats. In his letters, the pooch begs to come home, and offers up a defense of his so-called crimes. After a month of such harsh–uh, plush–treatment, Ike manages to escape, and fortunately for Mrs. LaRue, he arrives back in town just as she is about to be run over by an oncoming delivery truck. Ike saves her, and is the hero of the day. The humorous acrylic illustrations are, at times, a howl and the oversized format is well-suited to storytelling. Despite the dogs ex machina , charming Ike will likely find a home in many picture-book collections.–Roxanne Burg, Thousand Oaks Library, CA --Roxanne Burg (Reviewed September 1, 2002) (School Library Journal, vol 48, issue 9, p207)
Use in a library setting:
Ask kids to look at the pictures: What is unique about the pictures, what do the pictures say about Ike, what do they say about the canine academy? If you were Ike’s owner, how would you respond to his letters ?
References:
Book image from Barnes & Noble at: