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Ike LaRue
Dear Mrs. Larue: Letters From Obedience School
A dog laments his fate at obedience school through a series of hilarious letters home.
When Ike LaRue is imprisoned at the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy, he tries everything to get sent home -- from weepy letters to his owner to illness. In reality, Brotweiler is more like camp than prison, but still, Ike's not cut out for life without Mrs. LaRue. Finally, he runs away only to find himself back in Snort City -- just in time to save Mrs. LaRue's life.
A classic picture book written and illustrated by How Do Dinosaurs...? artist Mark Teague.
When Ike LaRue is imprisoned at the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy, he tries everything to get sent home -- from weepy letters to his owner to illness. In reality, Brotweiler is more like camp than prison, but still, Ike's not cut out for life without Mrs. LaRue. Finally, he runs away only to find himself back in Snort City -- just in time to save Mrs. LaRue's life.
A classic picture book written and illustrated by How Do Dinosaurs...? artist Mark Teague.
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 2002
28 people are currently reading
1899 people want to read
About the author
Mark Teague
143 books121 followersMark Teague has delighted young readers with more than 20 picture books, and he has written many of them himself, including the popular Pigsty, Baby Tamer, and One Halloween Night. He is also the illustrator of Cynthia Rylant's beloved Poppleton series for beginning readers and the best-selling books by Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight and How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon.
Mark Teague's life changed when he moved from San Diego to New York City and he planted the seed for his first picture book, The Trouble with the Johnsons. Each of Teague's books start as "notebooks full of sketches and scribbles, strange little drawings and phrases that suddenly come together," Teague explains. And although he had no formal writing training, his endless imagination and understanding nature gives him a permanent place in the hearts of everyone.
Mark and his wife live in Coxsackie, New York, with their young daughter Lily, who has a great time watching her dad paint the pictures in his books.
Mark Teague's life changed when he moved from San Diego to New York City and he planted the seed for his first picture book, The Trouble with the Johnsons. Each of Teague's books start as "notebooks full of sketches and scribbles, strange little drawings and phrases that suddenly come together," Teague explains. And although he had no formal writing training, his endless imagination and understanding nature gives him a permanent place in the hearts of everyone.
Mark and his wife live in Coxsackie, New York, with their young daughter Lily, who has a great time watching her dad paint the pictures in his books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 383 reviews
July 3, 2016
This book could have been incredibly hilarious, and while for me it didn’t quite make it to that level, I thought it was really cute and funny. The illustrations are great: in color for reality and the alternate scenes, as told by Ike the dog, are in black & white. I love the words that are part of the pictures, and especially loved the chart diagnosis on Ike’s infirmary bed. Anybody who knows and loves dogs will recognize some doggy behaviors and thought processes here, even though Ike is highly anthropomorphized.
September 23, 2019
Letters written by a dog to his owner try to make his case that he doesn't belong in prison (Obedience School) for 2 months. When that doesn't work, "Ike" LaRue runs away from from "prison" and eventually saves Mrs. LaRue from getting run over. Lots to look at and a fun read.
October 8, 2009
Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School, by Mark Teague, is a playful story about Ike, a misunderstood puppy. Ike was sent to the Brotweiler Canine Academy by his owner Mrs. LaRue. Ike writes letter after letter to Mrs. LaRue explaining the horrific treatment he is receiving at the academy. However, the intricate illustrations suggest otherwise. For example, when Ike writes about being sent to solitary confinement in a cell, there is a picture of him a nice woman giving all of the dogs treats. Ike eventually breaks free from his "torture" and travels around the country, ending back up at home.
Teague does an absolutely wonderful job of creating a charismatic, interesting and lovable character in Ike. I also really liked the use of black and white images to portray the "injustices" that Ike was experiencing, in comparison to the bright and vibrant images of what exactly was going on while Ike was at the academy. Without the illustrations, children would not be able to identify exactly what was happening in the story. The illustrations are not just an enhancement, they are crucial to the understanding of this story.
Teague does an absolutely wonderful job of creating a charismatic, interesting and lovable character in Ike. I also really liked the use of black and white images to portray the "injustices" that Ike was experiencing, in comparison to the bright and vibrant images of what exactly was going on while Ike was at the academy. Without the illustrations, children would not be able to identify exactly what was happening in the story. The illustrations are not just an enhancement, they are crucial to the understanding of this story.
October 29, 2016
1) Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
-Ike LaRue is a little dog who has been sent to obedience school, or if you ask him, prison. He absolutely hates it and sends letter to his owner, Mrs. LaRue, pleading desperately to let him leave. He misses everything about home. Eventually, Ike escapes obedience school just in time to save his owner from a horrible accident.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
-1st-3rd grade.
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
-Entertainment reading.
-English during letter unit.
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
-Students who are learning to write letters.
-Dog lovers
5) Small group use (literaturecircles) (1 pt)
-Students could read through the book with friends and discuss together.
6) Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
-Read aloud carpet reading as entertainment or introduction to letter lesson.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
-Sincerely Yours: Writing by Nancy Lowen.
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available (1 pt)
-None available.
-Ike LaRue is a little dog who has been sent to obedience school, or if you ask him, prison. He absolutely hates it and sends letter to his owner, Mrs. LaRue, pleading desperately to let him leave. He misses everything about home. Eventually, Ike escapes obedience school just in time to save his owner from a horrible accident.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
-1st-3rd grade.
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
-Entertainment reading.
-English during letter unit.
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
-Students who are learning to write letters.
-Dog lovers
5) Small group use (literaturecircles) (1 pt)
-Students could read through the book with friends and discuss together.
6) Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
-Read aloud carpet reading as entertainment or introduction to letter lesson.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
-Sincerely Yours: Writing by Nancy Lowen.
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available (1 pt)
-None available.
September 6, 2016
Summary: Mrs. LaRue sends her dog, Ike, away to an obedience school. Ike sends Mrs. LaRue letters each day explaining how "awful" it is at this school. Ike threatens to run away from the school and become a stray dog, but things don't turn out as great as he thinks.
Grade level: 3-4
Appropriate classroom use: English
Students who may benefit: Students who like bright detailed pictures and who like dogs would enjoy this humorous book.
Small group use: This would be a good book for children to pass around and read the letters Ike sends Mrs. LaRue each day. It allows a few children to practice reading and also hearing others read.
Whole class use: Although it would be better to use as in small groups, it could still be read aloud to the whole class. It is somewhat lengthy and may take up too much time.
Related books: Secret Shortcut and Baby Tamer
Multimedia connections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaBvn...
Grade level: 3-4
Appropriate classroom use: English
Students who may benefit: Students who like bright detailed pictures and who like dogs would enjoy this humorous book.
Small group use: This would be a good book for children to pass around and read the letters Ike sends Mrs. LaRue each day. It allows a few children to practice reading and also hearing others read.
Whole class use: Although it would be better to use as in small groups, it could still be read aloud to the whole class. It is somewhat lengthy and may take up too much time.
Related books: Secret Shortcut and Baby Tamer
Multimedia connections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaBvn...
October 20, 2009
Ike is a rambunctious dog that has been sent away, by his owner, to obedience school. Ike finds himself at the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy because of his bad behavior at home. Ike wants nothing more than to go back home to his owner Mrs. LaRue. So he decides to begin writing letters to his owner describing his experiences at the obedience school. As Ike writes his letters, he stretches the truth, in describing how horrible his experiences are at the Canine Academy. But because of the wonderful illustrations, the reader knows that his days at the obedience school are not as bad as he is explaining to Mrs. LaRue. After so many days at the academy, Ike decides to try and escape. In his attempt to head home, he ends up saving his owner from getting hit by a truck. The two are reunited and go home together.
This is a great story about a dog and his owner and the “loving” relationship they have. It has a cute twist with the dog writing the letters, who seems to have a sense of being misunderstood and mistreated. This story could be used in the classroom to help children make connections to their own lives. Many children have pets of their own, so this could be a great model text in using “connecting” as a reading strategy. This book could also be used as a mentor text in persuasive writing. Ike uses powerful language in the text that could be used to help promote persuasive writing.
This is a great story about a dog and his owner and the “loving” relationship they have. It has a cute twist with the dog writing the letters, who seems to have a sense of being misunderstood and mistreated. This story could be used in the classroom to help children make connections to their own lives. Many children have pets of their own, so this could be a great model text in using “connecting” as a reading strategy. This book could also be used as a mentor text in persuasive writing. Ike uses powerful language in the text that could be used to help promote persuasive writing.
September 11, 2017
Summary: Dear Mrs. LaRue is an epistolary book comprised of letters sent to Mrs. LaRue from her dog Ike who is currently residing at obedience school. Ike sends Mrs. LaRue daily letters about how much he dislikes his obedience school. He also explains that it was a mistake for her to send him there and that she should come and get him right away. No one expects what Ike will do when Mrs. LaRue does not come to get him.
Evaluation: This is an exceptionally good book to teach students about writing letters. It also shows students that writers letter can be fun and continuous with another party. May people do not write handwritten letters anymore, but that could change after reading about Ike’s letter writing adventures.
Teaching Ideas: Student could write a letter to someone and have the teacher deliver it. Within their letter they could ask the person they are writing to write them back and this could be a continuous activity that takes place all year. Teaching students how fun it can be to write handwritten letters to a friend or relative.
Evaluation: This is an exceptionally good book to teach students about writing letters. It also shows students that writers letter can be fun and continuous with another party. May people do not write handwritten letters anymore, but that could change after reading about Ike’s letter writing adventures.
Teaching Ideas: Student could write a letter to someone and have the teacher deliver it. Within their letter they could ask the person they are writing to write them back and this could be a continuous activity that takes place all year. Teaching students how fun it can be to write handwritten letters to a friend or relative.
January 2, 2018
Dear Mrs. LaRue Letters from Obedience School written and illustrated by Mark Teague tells the tale of a misunderstood pooch, Ike. After a series of unfortunate events, Mrs. LaRue decides to send Ike to the Brotweiler Canine Academy for obedience training.
Ike sends Mrs. LaRue letters daily describing the horrible conditions that he is in. He relentlessly pleads his case requesting to come home immediately. Will Ike ever learn how to be a good dog? Will Mrs. LaRue ever forgive Ike for his transgressions?
I absolutely loved this book! My interest was peaked from start to finish. I love that the story is epistolary (told all in letters). Ike has a very distinctive voice and style that can be seen in each letter. I also love the fact that the story is told from the dog's point of view. I am quite sure that my own furry pack have some stories to tell.
Teague's illustrations are fantastic. I love the way that he combines Ike's reality with his imagination. This is a wonderful story for dog lovers of all ages. I cannot wait to read the next book in the LaRue series.
Ike sends Mrs. LaRue letters daily describing the horrible conditions that he is in. He relentlessly pleads his case requesting to come home immediately. Will Ike ever learn how to be a good dog? Will Mrs. LaRue ever forgive Ike for his transgressions?
I absolutely loved this book! My interest was peaked from start to finish. I love that the story is epistolary (told all in letters). Ike has a very distinctive voice and style that can be seen in each letter. I also love the fact that the story is told from the dog's point of view. I am quite sure that my own furry pack have some stories to tell.
Teague's illustrations are fantastic. I love the way that he combines Ike's reality with his imagination. This is a wonderful story for dog lovers of all ages. I cannot wait to read the next book in the LaRue series.
September 22, 2016
* Book Summary
Ike is a puppy who has been sent to obedience school because he has behavioral issues, while in the obedience school he refuses to listen and writes letters to his owner every day. Mrs. Larue refuses to see him but writes back to him. Eventually, Ike decides to escape the school but doesn't know if he's returning to Mrs. Larue's home.
*awards
Book of the Year Award: Children's Illustrated
* Grade Level/ Interest level
2nd-3rd
* Appropriate Classroom Use
I would use this book when learning about proper letter format to introduce students to what it should look like.
*Student Who Might Benefit From Reading
All students
* Small Group Use
I would give students a letter that Ike wrote and ask them to rewrite with a different ending.
* Whole Class Use
I would use this book when learning about proper letter format to introduce students to what it should look like.
*Related Book In Genre
I Wanna Iguana
*Multimedia Connections
N/A
Ike is a puppy who has been sent to obedience school because he has behavioral issues, while in the obedience school he refuses to listen and writes letters to his owner every day. Mrs. Larue refuses to see him but writes back to him. Eventually, Ike decides to escape the school but doesn't know if he's returning to Mrs. Larue's home.
*awards
Book of the Year Award: Children's Illustrated
* Grade Level/ Interest level
2nd-3rd
* Appropriate Classroom Use
I would use this book when learning about proper letter format to introduce students to what it should look like.
*Student Who Might Benefit From Reading
All students
* Small Group Use
I would give students a letter that Ike wrote and ask them to rewrite with a different ending.
* Whole Class Use
I would use this book when learning about proper letter format to introduce students to what it should look like.
*Related Book In Genre
I Wanna Iguana
*Multimedia Connections
N/A
January 15, 2016
This book was used for a reading lesson on the skills of asking questions and drawing conclusions.
June 17, 2019
We love these books so much! Wayyyyy too cute!
February 18, 2010
This is a fun book in which a wire fox terrier, Ike La Rue, is sent to obedience school after ruining Mrs. La Rue's coat. Ike writes letters home detailing the horrible conditions at the school. Color pictures juxtapose reality with Ike's melodramatic descriptions.
This can be used to introduce and have children practice letter writing, as well as comparing and contrasting Ike's fiction with his reality. Primary students as well as secondary students can benefit from this book.
This can be used to introduce and have children practice letter writing, as well as comparing and contrasting Ike's fiction with his reality. Primary students as well as secondary students can benefit from this book.
January 19, 2010
If you're an adult, this book is humorous and clever. If you're a kid, this book is unaccessible and confusing...and a big let-down. I know many reviewers would disagree with me, but kids don't lie!
March 21, 2019
Funny picture book narrated as a series of letters from the perspective of a dog to his owner. When Mrs. LaRue enrolls Ike in obedience school for two months, he is so distraught that he breaks out. The illustrations show Ike's reality versus the exaggerated melodramatic scenes from his letters.
October 24, 2021
A cute story about a melodramatic puppy who, after yanking his owner across the street and tearing her coat, is sent away to reform school. What was Mrs. LaRue thinking?! Doesn't she know Ike is only there to protect her?
October 28, 2008
I think that this book is very funny and the dog thinks that this school is very bad.
November 1, 2014
Cute little story that would be a great lesson on perspective and persuasive word choice.
August 2, 2017
Good book that showed there are two sides to every story.
May 28, 2018
Hilarious! My third graders really enjoyed the book!
February 1, 2020
We have an Airedale Terrier - in a way the bigger cousin of Ike, Mrs LaRue's mischievous wire hair Fox Terrier.
I heard about this book in a Facebook terrier group (weirdly enough), and was lucky to get a second hand copy immediately.
As a fellow terrier owner I can strongly empathize with Mrs LaRue's struggles (been there, done that, err: am there and doing that, actually). I laughed out loud at Ike's melodramatic letters hone from obedience school (a very nice place actually, drawn in color, but with Ike's horror scenario versions next to them in black and white, which was hilarious).
Our Airedale is also a total drama queen. The other day I accidentally stepped on her paw on our walk. She whined and limped like I had cut it clean off. I felt terrible and made a big fuss over her. My husband is not as easily fooled as trusting yours truly and told me that Georgie was acting. I decided to try ignoring the pitiful canine display to my right and voilà! Two seconds later the Airedale ambled along totally normally and care-free with a cheerful spring in her step. Ike would have been so proud.
A genius book for every terrier owner or anyone who like beards with a lot of personality.
Oh yeah, and little man enjoyed it, too.
I heard about this book in a Facebook terrier group (weirdly enough), and was lucky to get a second hand copy immediately.
As a fellow terrier owner I can strongly empathize with Mrs LaRue's struggles (been there, done that, err: am there and doing that, actually). I laughed out loud at Ike's melodramatic letters hone from obedience school (a very nice place actually, drawn in color, but with Ike's horror scenario versions next to them in black and white, which was hilarious).
Our Airedale is also a total drama queen. The other day I accidentally stepped on her paw on our walk. She whined and limped like I had cut it clean off. I felt terrible and made a big fuss over her. My husband is not as easily fooled as trusting yours truly and told me that Georgie was acting. I decided to try ignoring the pitiful canine display to my right and voilà! Two seconds later the Airedale ambled along totally normally and care-free with a cheerful spring in her step. Ike would have been so proud.
A genius book for every terrier owner or anyone who like beards with a lot of personality.
Oh yeah, and little man enjoyed it, too.
September 26, 2022
The artwork is good but I personally just wasn't a big fan of the story. The dog misbehaves so is sent to obedience school. His letters home paint the picture of a severe prison for dogs. The artwork shows the actual luxury and pampering he gets from the boarding school juxtaposed to the dark fantasy he conjures up to write in his letters home. To me it was just jarring because dogs are so sincere, his lying bothered me. Also the focus was on him getting out of there for his own sake without the extreme desire dogs normally have to be with us, no matter what circumstances we are in, they are happy as long as they are with us.
So maybe it is just me overthinking a kids book, but I don't think the book sets a good example and just didn't care for it.
So maybe it is just me overthinking a kids book, but I don't think the book sets a good example and just didn't care for it.
February 1, 2026
Same person that writes the “How to Dinosaurs” series! A cute li’l story where a disobedient dog goes to “the worst” obedience school of all time, and learned to appreciate his owner a little more. My personal note: this dog is a total man-flu-er, so dramatic and exaggerative! The letters make it sound like he’s in an ice-cold prison with terrible staff while the reality is much the opposite. 😂 At the end, he both proves he can save his owner and still be a little mischievous.
July 21, 2012
Teague, M. (2002). Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School. New York: Scholastic Press.
0439206634
Appetizer: Ike LaRue, a dog, has been sentenced to go to obedience school for two months after proving to be a bit of a trouble maker at home. Ike shares his worst daydreams about what is happening at the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy to Mrs. LaRue through the letters he writes home. Growing frustrated with his situation and Mrs. LaRue's refusal to help, Ike decides to attempt a daring escape.
To balance and contrast Ike's letters, excerpts from newspapers are also included reporting on why Ike was imprisoned. This also draws out more parallels to positioning Ike as a criminal.
Ike's imaginings of being taken to a scary school building, dragged off by prison guards, etc. are all shown in black and white and include humorous touches to prevent the imagery from becoming too upsetting or scary. Also, preventing the imagined events from being upsetting is the fact that the readers are shown--in bright colors--what Ike's real school experiences are like (let's just say pats on the head and doggie treats are not denied). Readers will like how imaginative Ike is.
It's also worth noting that there are some difficult vocabulary words throughout the text--they're not only difficult for first and second graders, but for fourth and fifth graders as well. Terms like "melodramatic" and "hypochondriac" are included, which could become brief teaching moments. A teacher, on the second or third time sharing the book with students, could also explain the historical significance of "I like Ike."
Dinner Conversation:
"Dear Mrs. LaRue,
How could you do this to me? This is a PRISON, not a school! You should see the other dogs. They are BAD DOGS, Mrs. LaRue! I do not fit in."
"Day after day I'm forced to perform the most meaningless tasks. Today it was "sit" and "roll over," all day long."
"Finally, I had to be taken to the vet. Dr. Wilfrey claims that he can't find anything wrong with me, but I am certain I have an awful disease. I must come home at once.
Honestly yours,
Ike"
"By the time you read this I will be gone. I have decided to attempt a daring escape. I'm sorry it has come to this, since I am really a very good dog, but frankly you left me no choice."
"So I have decided to return home. You may try to lock me up again, but that is a risk I must take. And frankly, even more than myself, I worry about you. You may not know it, Mrs. LaRue, but you need a dog!"
To Go with the Meal:
This picturebook could also be used in a lesson on letter (or email!) writing. A teacher could go into how to open and close a letter. Plus, since there's a huge difference between Ike's black and white imaginings of what the obedience school is like and the sunny reality, a teacher could discuss the books in terms of it having an unreliable narrator. With younger students this will almost certainly turn to a discussion of trust and how wrong lying is.
This would also be a great read for students nervous to go off to school or summer camp for the first time. And the idea of using Dear Mrs. LaRue for that purpose has special meaning for me. My first letters home to my parents from a girl scouts summer camp when I was 7 said something to the effect of "I hate it here. Come and get me now!!!!!!!" Clearly, I found Ike's experiences and voice to be relatable.
I also like this picturebook because the story begins with a newspaper article about Ike's sentencing. From the wording and incidents described, the reader may conclude that Ike is a bad dog. But as the letters are being written, the reader is shown Ike's reasonings for his past and current actions.
In terms of this book being about the experience of going to school, it shows the real teachers as supportive and encouraging even during assignments that Ike doesn't see the purpose of completing. But a student will understand why it's good for a dog to be able to sit. So, by extension, this can be a lesson on why it's still important for kids to do their lessons, even when they don't always immediately see the point.
Tasty Rating: !!!!
0439206634
Appetizer: Ike LaRue, a dog, has been sentenced to go to obedience school for two months after proving to be a bit of a trouble maker at home. Ike shares his worst daydreams about what is happening at the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy to Mrs. LaRue through the letters he writes home. Growing frustrated with his situation and Mrs. LaRue's refusal to help, Ike decides to attempt a daring escape.
To balance and contrast Ike's letters, excerpts from newspapers are also included reporting on why Ike was imprisoned. This also draws out more parallels to positioning Ike as a criminal.
Ike's imaginings of being taken to a scary school building, dragged off by prison guards, etc. are all shown in black and white and include humorous touches to prevent the imagery from becoming too upsetting or scary. Also, preventing the imagined events from being upsetting is the fact that the readers are shown--in bright colors--what Ike's real school experiences are like (let's just say pats on the head and doggie treats are not denied). Readers will like how imaginative Ike is.
It's also worth noting that there are some difficult vocabulary words throughout the text--they're not only difficult for first and second graders, but for fourth and fifth graders as well. Terms like "melodramatic" and "hypochondriac" are included, which could become brief teaching moments. A teacher, on the second or third time sharing the book with students, could also explain the historical significance of "I like Ike."
Dinner Conversation:
"Dear Mrs. LaRue,
How could you do this to me? This is a PRISON, not a school! You should see the other dogs. They are BAD DOGS, Mrs. LaRue! I do not fit in."
"Day after day I'm forced to perform the most meaningless tasks. Today it was "sit" and "roll over," all day long."
"Finally, I had to be taken to the vet. Dr. Wilfrey claims that he can't find anything wrong with me, but I am certain I have an awful disease. I must come home at once.
Honestly yours,
Ike"
"By the time you read this I will be gone. I have decided to attempt a daring escape. I'm sorry it has come to this, since I am really a very good dog, but frankly you left me no choice."
"So I have decided to return home. You may try to lock me up again, but that is a risk I must take. And frankly, even more than myself, I worry about you. You may not know it, Mrs. LaRue, but you need a dog!"
To Go with the Meal:
This picturebook could also be used in a lesson on letter (or email!) writing. A teacher could go into how to open and close a letter. Plus, since there's a huge difference between Ike's black and white imaginings of what the obedience school is like and the sunny reality, a teacher could discuss the books in terms of it having an unreliable narrator. With younger students this will almost certainly turn to a discussion of trust and how wrong lying is.
This would also be a great read for students nervous to go off to school or summer camp for the first time. And the idea of using Dear Mrs. LaRue for that purpose has special meaning for me. My first letters home to my parents from a girl scouts summer camp when I was 7 said something to the effect of "I hate it here. Come and get me now!!!!!!!" Clearly, I found Ike's experiences and voice to be relatable.
I also like this picturebook because the story begins with a newspaper article about Ike's sentencing. From the wording and incidents described, the reader may conclude that Ike is a bad dog. But as the letters are being written, the reader is shown Ike's reasonings for his past and current actions.
In terms of this book being about the experience of going to school, it shows the real teachers as supportive and encouraging even during assignments that Ike doesn't see the purpose of completing. But a student will understand why it's good for a dog to be able to sit. So, by extension, this can be a lesson on why it's still important for kids to do their lessons, even when they don't always immediately see the point.
Tasty Rating: !!!!
Read
November 4, 2019Mignon. Excellent livre pour enseigner l'art épistolaire.
November 21, 2018
"Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School" is a cute story about a dog named Ike that has been placed in obedience school against his wishes. At home, he has been chasing cats, eating food he isn't supposed to, and pulling his owner down while on walks. At school, Ike writes letters to Mrs. LaRue about how he feels he has been unjustly put in this school, and that he will do anything to get out of it. Mrs. LaRue ignores his letters though, as she knows that this school is what is best for him now. Ike finally escapes since he knows that Mrs. LaRue needs him, and he finally does, just in time to save Mrs. LaRue's life when she crosses in front of an oncoming truck. Ike is now seen as the hometown hero, and they are finally reunited. This book was one of my favorite books to read as a child as I found it so engaging and enjoyed that the narration of the book was from the point of view of the dog, which was different from most other books that I have read. One criticism I have of this book is that it does not give much information about Mrs. LaRue, or how she feels about having her dog in the school. Does she miss him? Does she want him back? Since we do not hear this, the story sounds one-sided, and I would like to see at least a little input from Mrs. LaRue to add depth and detail to this story. However, the author does a great job using color in his illustrations to the book that depict the mood of the book accurately. Throughout the book, we see Ike's interpretations of the world as sad, and they are in black and white, when everyone else's perception is in color. This is a subtle yet powerful way to show the different moods people have throughout the book. Ike is sad, so his perceptions are dark, when the happy perceptions are in color. I thought this was a very interesting way to show the mood and I didn't notice it at first. I would use this book in my classroom to teach my students about compare and contrast. There are other "Dear Mrs. LaRue" books that involve the same characters, so I could ask students to compare and contrast these stories since a third grade common core standard is for students to compare and contrast stories, plots, or characters written by the same author. I think this book could be a great way to illustrate this concept to my students as well as accurately get their attention by reading a fun book.
April 16, 2019
This book is one of my all-time favorites and another excellent example of a postmodern children's picturebook. The protagonist of the book is Ike Mrs. LaRue's dog who gets sent to obedience school, by Mrs. LaRue for being unapologetically mischievous and naughty. The story is narrated by Ike through a series of letters that he writes to Mrs. LaRue from the confines of the obedience school. The story line and plot are moved along by the visuals that align with the text. Within the illustrations, there is a parody of 20th century detention/prison authoritative figures who run the obedience school. Some of the other postmodern picture book elements featured are multiple narratives/stories, several events that occur during Ike's stay at the dog reformatory, illustrations in color and black/white, lots of personification, the dog has many human characteristics and narrates his stay from a human perspective.
I highly recommend this book for any teacher that wants to introduce students to postmodern picture books and a storyline that deviates from the traditional picture book literary format. It's loaded with many puns, references to themes in American culture, and figurative language. The book also transitions from the past to the present throughout the book (flashbacks) as a literary technique too. In the past, it has also been a great example of letter-writing and how to use humor and figurative language to make your letters interesting and appealing to your reader.This book is a very rich and rewarding experience that will become a classic in your personal library too!
I highly recommend this book for any teacher that wants to introduce students to postmodern picture books and a storyline that deviates from the traditional picture book literary format. It's loaded with many puns, references to themes in American culture, and figurative language. The book also transitions from the past to the present throughout the book (flashbacks) as a literary technique too. In the past, it has also been a great example of letter-writing and how to use humor and figurative language to make your letters interesting and appealing to your reader.This book is a very rich and rewarding experience that will become a classic in your personal library too!
September 11, 2019
This book was so fun, and it is something I can totally see how kids would love reading/hearing a story about a dog being left at an obedience school and him telling his side of it. This for sure brings to life the childlike dream of being able to communicate with your dog. I really enjoyed how it showed both Ike's idea of what was happening vs. what was actually happening, and the fact that Mrs. LaRue didn't seemed too interested in her dog's dramatic letters. Or the fact that the workers at the obedience school didn't seem to bothered that a dog had a type writer, it just made the whole idea of a dog being able to communicate like a human being with other human beings more realistic in a way.
I think this book could be used in a classroom in the process of teaching the lesson of patience and trying to see other ideas and reasoning from a different perspective. And just basically how one action might seem one way to someone and feel/appear a different way to someone else. For Mrs. LaRue, she was thinking her actions were making Ike into a better dog, whereas Ike saw Mrs. LaRue's actions as betrayal and something that should have been avoided. This is how, I feel, a lot of kids feel when they get sent to their rooms or get into trouble, they feel they have been wrongly judged or maybe just too harshly judged whereas from the parents' perspective, they are trying to teach their children right from wrong and the fact that certain actions have consequences
I think this book could be used in a classroom in the process of teaching the lesson of patience and trying to see other ideas and reasoning from a different perspective. And just basically how one action might seem one way to someone and feel/appear a different way to someone else. For Mrs. LaRue, she was thinking her actions were making Ike into a better dog, whereas Ike saw Mrs. LaRue's actions as betrayal and something that should have been avoided. This is how, I feel, a lot of kids feel when they get sent to their rooms or get into trouble, they feel they have been wrongly judged or maybe just too harshly judged whereas from the parents' perspective, they are trying to teach their children right from wrong and the fact that certain actions have consequences
October 6, 2017
Veronica A.
11
Mrs.LaRue enrolled Ike to an academy because he was stealing food from the counter table. Ike always send a letter to Mrs. LaRue telling her how bad was this school. Ike think that this school is a prison he wants to go with Mrs. LaRue. Ike is sorry about the chicken pie he ate that he wasn't supposed to eat.Ike is now telling Mrs.LaRue about the Hibbins cats.Ike has to do what Miss Klondike Ike is telling Mrs.LaRue that she is making them do what she wants.Ike is telling Mrs.LaRue that Miss Klondike took his typewriter.
I like it because Ike was showing his feelings.I dislike it because Ike was thinking other things that weren't real and he was telling Mrs.LaRue.The pictures of the book were amazing one was in color and the other one was on gray.
I would recommend this book to fourth and fifth grade because this book is entertaining to me and it might be to you.
February 5, 2013
This was a funny, cute story about Ike LaRue's time in the slammer -- the obedience school slammer, that is. It follows a series of letters he writes home to his owner, begging for release from the torturous situation.
I liked how reality was in color and Ike's imagined scenes were in black and white. It really sets it apart for a child. There is also a good number of words to stretch vocabulary.
I listened to the book on CD as well, and thought it was really well done. The reader was perfect, and the voices he does for each character are hilarious. The background music is supportive and not distracting. It is fairly long, so a younger child may not have the attention span.
I liked how reality was in color and Ike's imagined scenes were in black and white. It really sets it apart for a child. There is also a good number of words to stretch vocabulary.
I listened to the book on CD as well, and thought it was really well done. The reader was perfect, and the voices he does for each character are hilarious. The background music is supportive and not distracting. It is fairly long, so a younger child may not have the attention span.
January 30, 2014
The first time I came into contact with this book was when I was in fourth grade when my teacher read it to my class. I am now in college and it still is one of my favorite picture books. Every time I read it it cracks me up. This book is about Ike the dog who is sent to Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy because of his previous bad behavior. While he is there he sends letters to his 'person' named Mrs. LaRue. This book is a perfect example of dramatic irony. In his letters he describes how horrible his life is, when in reality it is actually pretty decent. Moral of the story- there is no place like home!
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