Such a Good Boy

by Marianna Coppo

The ultimate kids' book about dogs, being good, being bad, and being yourself!

From the award-winning, critically acclaimed author of Petra.

Meet Buzz the dog.

He's such a good boy.

Buzz seems to have a perfect life .. .

and a lot of very well-behaved friends.

Buzz would never dream of being anything other than good.

Right, Buzz?
Buzz . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, Humor

48 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2020

About the author

Marianna Coppo is an author/illustrator from Italy. She studied editorial illustration at MiMaster in Milan, and now focuses on freelance illustration in Rome. She is one of the curators of Tentacoli, an independent label which specializes in fanzines and handmade products. Petra is her first picture book.

Reviews

[Billie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this, until the very end. The message it's sending kids seems to be that if things aren't going your way, if you're being told "no" or made to take a bath, you should just run away and stay away and everything will be fine. I think, maybe, there needed to be a reunion with the dog and its people and maybe both learning to compromise? The dog gets to roll in mud, but then has to take a bath. The dog can't bring a stick in the house, but gets a nice bone or squeaky toy instead. As it is, I don't think the lesson—if lesson it can be called—is a good one.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aside from the dog reminding me of the one my family had when I was growing up, there's not much about this book I really loved. It's basically just a weak story about an over-fluffed pooch who wants to run wild, dig holes, and eat poop. He gets his chance when he's left at the groomer... and escapes. But then he realizes his people are looking for him. (I might've liked this one better had the ending not been so ambiguous.)

I can't quite tell if this is taking a swipe at people who pamper their dogs, or if it's just a simple story about a dog doing what dogs do. The text really is from a dog's point of view, making the humans into the bad guys because they won't let the dog be... well, a dog. (I don't really care if it's natural, though; eating poop is gross.)

The illustrations are simple, but cute. Kids will probably enjoy them. I just wish they accompanied something with a bit more substance.

[Elizabeth P · Rating 1 out of 5]

What the heck is this book. I cannot recall the last time I have actively disliked the story in a picture book.
The message of the book seems to be "let your hair down and live a little". But I find it disturbing that a privileged dog finds freedom in being out on the streets. Those who are experiencing homelessness do not find living on the streets fun or liberating. I understand that this is a story about a dog, and maybe I am being too sensitive. But this story really struck me the wrong way.
Definitely would not recommend.

[Tyler McGaughey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gleeful tale of liberation from generations of bourgeois bondage, and a beautiful corollary to this world historical literary masterpiece . If that doesn't move you, inspire you, thrill you, or worse, you "don't understand the message," you may be more in love with the bars of your particular cage than you realize. Or stupid.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

What the heck? This book ended abruptly and strangely.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huh. I love the artwork and Buzz does indeed seem like a Very Good Boy. I am upset that his human does not seem to appreciate him at all. Which is why it’s nice to see the dog have some fun, and I can understand Buzz’s choice at the end, but the human could have learned how to loosen up and enjoy their canine companion but THEY DID NOT. Maybe I’m thinking too hard about this.

[Kathabelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointing, slightly disturbing story. Falls way short of being true to yourself and teaches a pretty bad lesson to kids. Young readers will not see nuances, and only take away that running away gives you freedom. Feels classist left me feeling yucky.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this story because of how it handled the "problem". Illustrations were sweet.

[Abby Johnson]

A bichon breaks bad in this picture book about a dog who's sick of being a good dog. Hand to dog superfans.

[Wanderin’ Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about rebellion.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations, created with tempera and pastels, complement this appealing story about staying true to oneself amid the pressure to conform and follow in the lead of those who have gone before you. For the most part, Buzz has it made. He comes from a long line of dogs named Buzz who look just like him. He's well groomed and obedient, and is quite pampered. But there is a part of Buzz that longs for the open road and to explore the unfamiliar. After he is groomed following an unfortunate incident with a puddle, he seizes the opportunity to flee and experience freedom. Finally, he can dig to his heart's content, run, roll in the grass, do whatever he likes. When he sees missing flyers with a reward for his recovery, he worries that his days of freedom are over. While I liked the message of being true to yourself and charting your own path, I found the ending a bit troubling since it won't be easy for Buzz, living on his own in the great outdoors, something the picture book seems to ignore. He may have his freedom, but I finished the book wondering how he will manage to survive and find food and shelter when he needs it.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can tell the author knows and loves dogs. Such a Good Book...

... until the ending. What a stupid book!

If the author is trying to teach a point or convey a message, then the age group that this book works for is way too young for the message you're trying to teach. No good.

Author: Make a sequel to the book. Let Buzz find out how much he misses home, and let him reunite with them. Then I will upgrade this book to 4 stars. But for now, (and you can probably care less, I know), only 2.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story and fun illustrations in this sweet picture book. Why is everyone taking the plot ending so seriously? Does every story have to be edifying and fit this perfect stereotype of how things are supposed to turn out? Maybe if parents are worried they can see it as an opportunity to talk with their kids about making decisions and the consequences of our actions. I really appreciated the non-traditional ending and the theme of being spontaneous and free.

[Joyful · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this one until I got to the last two pages. This would have been made a fantastic read aloud for kids had Buzz reunited with his family and everyone learned a lesson about compromise. Kids aren't going to want to end with Buzz alone in the world with an uncertain future. *I* don't want to end a story like that. With a different end, this would easily have been a 5 star for me.

The artwork is beautiful and whimsical, with lots of extra touches to enhance the story's text.

[Zan Porter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buzz is a very good boy, who lives in a fancy house, eats well, and has equally well-behaved (boring) friends--but sometimes he would really like to break free, run fast, dig holes, and play with the other dogs.

Great pictures, but left me feeling pretty sad.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a dog book and really liked the illustration style but I don’t like the idea that this dog was just suddenly out on his own even if he felt a little trapped by his owner. I’m not sure what the intended message was.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising and delightful ending. I love it when pictures books bust out of conventional structures and plots.

[Ophelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a fun read but i hope the dog returned home

[CallmeJames · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 "𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐲", 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨

🐾🐶🐕🐕‍🦺🦮🐩 When I first picked up "Such a Good Boy" by Marianna Coppo, I was immediately drawn to the adorable cover featuring Buzz, the fluffy white dog. As a dog lover and someone who recently lost my beloved Dexter, I found myself both excited and a bit nostalgic as I began reading.

🐾🐶🐕🐕‍🦺🦮🐩 Buzz's story is both charming and poignant. Living in a luxurious mansion, Buzz has everything a dog could want—except freedom. His life is meticulously controlled by unseen owners who dictate his every move. This resonated with me deeply, as it made me think about how we sometimes impose our own desires and expectations on our pets, without considering their need for independence and joy.

🐾🐶🐕🐕‍🦺🦮🐩 The turning point in the story, when Buzz escapes and experiences the world on his own terms, was incredibly heartwarming. Seeing him roll in the grass and get muddy brought a smile to my face. It reminded me of Dexter's playful nature and how much he loved exploring the outdoors. The illustrations beautifully capture Buzz's transformation from a pampered pet to a happy, free-spirited dog.

🐾🐶🐕🐕‍🦺🦮🐩 However, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed by the choice to portray Buzz as a white, fluffy dog. It's a common trope in children's books and marketing, and I believe it would have been more impactful to see a more diverse representation of dogs. There are so many wonderful stories to be told about underdogs and mixed-breed puppies, and I hope future books will embrace this diversity.

🐾🐶🐕🐕‍🦺🦮🐩 Overall, this novel is a delightful read that offers a meaningful message about freedom and self-expression. It made me reflect on my own relationship with Dexter and appreciate the unique qualities of every dog. This book is a great choice for anyone who loves dogs and enjoys stories that make you think and feel.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little dog, Buzz, seems to have everything it could possibly want—a wonderful home, food, and care. But it's life might just be too wonderful. As perfect as everything seems, Buzz isn't given the freedoms he'd like to have. He can't talk t strangers, or waste time or anything he might want to do for fun. Until one day, when he runs away...

Buzz is super cute, and it's extremely easy for young listeners/readers to fall right into his tale and just want to hug him. It's clear that he has everything a dog could want, and yet, it's clear why he might not be satisfied. After all, what kid doesn't want to run out and play? So when he gets the chance to have fun on his own, the joy carries over and brings smiles. It's a book and character to enjoy.

Even the illustrations are well done and fun to gaze at. While simple in some ways, they bring across Buzz's situation well, and give off a lovely atmosphere.

My only problem with this tale is the ending. First, my kids and I weren't one hundred percent sure what happened to Buzz...if he's found or simply continues to enjoy the free life. Either way, the message isn't exactly what parents will want to bring across to kids—if you don't get what you want, run away and then you will. Which is too bad because I believe the author might have been shooting for 'be true to yourself'.

In any case, I did enjoy the book quite a bit...as did my kids. Buzz is definitely a dog to love and keep.

I received a complimentary copy and found this one a bit difficult to rate, since there are so many great things about it. I'm giving it a 3.5 stars and rounding up.

[Natalie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book.

My partner had a bichon who lived to be 18-years-old and who hated being contained and dolled up like what is expected of bichons. He loved to be wild and dirty and corded up. My partner styled him with a little Mohawk most of the time. This book reminded me so much of that little dog.

Apart from that specific sentimentality, though, I really enjoyed this book's perspective on life and privilege. I find so many children's books that try to keep kids in boxes, either societal or gender-related, and this book teaches a different message. It says that sometimes the life we have is not the life we were made for, and that's okay. As someone who left the lifestyle I was raised in, it really spoke to me on a level that I find challenging when reading picture books (for context I work in a children's library). Among so many books about manners and making yourself smaller/better-behaved/quieter/more-polite, this book advocates for kids to be themselves in the ways that make them feel good.

Am I reading a lot into it? Yes. But I believe that the media we ingest in our formative years does a lot more to shape our worldview than people give it credit for (looking at you, Bread and Jam for Frances).

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

What makes Buzz a good boy? He does what good dogs do, day after day, but one day he dares to drop into a puddle. After being taken to the groomer, he escapes to be ‘free’ to stop, taste, and dig. When he sees ‘Missing’ posters and discovers his owner really misses him, he goes home.

The ending is a bit confusing - Buzz goes home but there is a cat in the window. Buzz is rolling in the mud, but the reader is left wondering if he’s been replaced by the cat or have his owners decided to have an indoor cat while allowing Buzz to be an outdoor dog?

Buzz’s image is singular-dimension, small and simple. He is white, and, opposite of the appealing cover, doesn’t show up well on the many pages of white background. Variety of double and single page spreads with text of small but simple dark font.

Could be used for point of view but there are many better books out there for that for preschoolers.
Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A well groomed, pampered dog decides to adopt an alternative lifestyle.

Buzz is a dog who suffers from ennui. Despite living in a "fancy" house and enjoying abundant resources, he longs for something different. What Buzz really wants is to get dirty and consort with strays. When the chance arises, he runs away and decides to live life on street rather than returning home.

This picture book embodies and encourages the fetishism of “freedom.” It promotes the idea that rule following is boring and unfulfilling and that rule breaking is fun and exciting. The story scoffs at those living stable lives with regular meals and regular baths while strangely glorifying homelessness.

Buzz wants to be "free" to do whatever he wants whenever he wants without any responsibilities to anyone. In fact, he shows a total disregard for his owner who undoubtedly fears for his safety and misses him.

The intended message was probably that it's good to let one's hair down and not be so prim and proper, but it struck me the wrong way. Those of us who grew up in the lower socioeconomic strata do not find instability, lack of resources, and poor sanitation to be liberating.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buzz! I love him. A fun story about a dog who isn't allowed to be a dog, really. This would be such a great book for a family with a dog (who let their dog do dog things), because you can always spot the dogs like Buzz at the park. I love that he runs away and doesn't get guilted into going back to this owner that keeps him so miserable. Silly story aside, it's nice to get an ending that doesn't go as you'd imagined and that has some alternative lessons for kids to learn.

Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A spoiled dog expected to act according to his pedigree just wants to run and chase and pee on trees. When he finds an opportunity to freedom, he leaves his family for greener pastures.

I’m not sure how I feel about the ending of this book, which felt vague in its message. If the dog decided not to return because he couldn’t truly be himself, then that’s an important message. But it feels like there was a connecting dot missing to get the reader to that conclusion.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is cute but the message is kind of confusing. Buzz runs away so he can do "bad dog" things like rolling in the dirt, digging, etc. The ending was open-ended so we didn't know if Buzz ever made it home. The books seems to suggest that Buzz likes the freedoms so much he might never return. But this honestly would've stressed me out as a kid knowing it's dangerous out there for a dog with no humans.

[Kat]

Did not like the ending of this book. Seemed a little too much like "ignore all the rules and do whatever you want and there will be no consequences" and not "be yourself and be respectful about how your actions might impact someone else". It was fun and light-hearted in a sense but not realistic in what might happen to this dog.

The art was pretty and the dog was adorable. Do not recommend as a whole book for kids.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were cute. My son found the dog's tiny facial features hilarious. But we both were puzzled at the ending. What was the purpose of this book? There needed to be something like a compromise or the owners understanding that they can chill out on the expectations of having a perfect pet. Is this a metaphor for a child from an upper class family who needs to break free and cut loose? But what does the ending mean?

[Kate Atherton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is sweet and has lovely to look at, graphic (but with detail) illustraitons. I did find this ending a little bit of a depressing cliffhanger. The premise that this poor show, pure bred dog is so trapped in his life and gets this one day...and maybe more...in the sun is pretty sad. Kids might not find it as sad as I did, they might just be happy to see a cute dog and see him get his way for once.

[Cheryl]

Um. I think this is a lesson to adults not to restrict the freedom of either their dogs or their children. Let them off the leash at the dog park. Let them walk to school.

But what will the child reader/audience get out of this? I'm not sure. Hence, reserving rating.

Btw, I could not find an incident of eating poop. I only found an incident of sniffing a 'marked' tree trunk that may have been misinterpreted by the reviewer who was grossed out.