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Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters From Obedience School Paperback – Picture Book, March 1, 2022


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.

This classic picture book by How Do Dinosaurs...? illustrator Mark Teague is now available as a trade paperback!


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Editorial Reviews

Review

* "A tail-wagger of a book that will have readers howling with amusement." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The humorous acrylic illustrations are, at times, a howl... charming Ike will likely find a home in many picture-book collections." -- School Library Journal

* "Good story, well told and delightfully illustrated." -- Booklist, starred review

About the Author

Mark Teague is the international bestselling illustrator (and author) of more than 50 books for children. His numerous awards and honors include the Book Sense Book of the Year Award and the Christopher Medal. He has illustrated 12 full-size books and 11 board books in the widely successful How Do Dinosaurs...? series. He is the author of the popular Dear Mrs. LaRue, Firehouse!, and Jack and the Beanstalk and the French Fries. He lives in New York State.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scholastic Inc. (March 1, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1338781960
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1338781960
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 9 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.59 x 8.98 x 11.89 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

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Mark Teague
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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
311 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book hilarious, witty, and fun. They appreciate the great illustrations and imaginative storytelling. Readers also say it's the best book for teaching persuasive writing and life lessons. Additionally, they say it's engaging and a great book for dog lovers.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

22 customers mention "Humor"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book hilarious, witty, and creative. They say it's perfect for all ages, visually and verbally. Readers also mention the book is cute and relatable.

"...Has been a favorite ever since. It's just a cute story with great art work. Well done story about this crazy, imaginative dog, Ike!!!" Read more

"...Imaginative and clever. A must have for any child’s library." Read more

"Great book to read to your kids when they are young! Funny and relatable. I purchased this book the first time at a book fair...." Read more

"...I love this book, it's so cute, funny & I was so excited to order it. I'm speechless though at how fast it got here!..." Read more

13 customers mention "Illustrations"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book great, imaginative, and contrasting. They also say the book is fun for children and adults.

"...Imaginative and clever. A must have for any child’s library." Read more

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

"...From beginning to end the story is fabulous and illustrations are just as fabulous I bought it even for adult friends as I've gotten more than one..." Read more

"These engaging cartoon illustrations are move that half of the story. The tongue in cheek references are a real hoot for kids of all ages...." Read more

7 customers mention "Teaching effectiveness"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book in the series the best for teaching persuasive writing. They say it's a great way to introduce opinion and persuasive writing to kids. Readers also mention the book is engaging and clever, and adults will enjoy it too.

"...This particular book in the series is the best one ever for teaching persuasive writing because in this one, Ike is pouring on the persuasion." Read more

"...My students enjoyed this book and it really helped them get the hang of persuasive text. I also taught character traits using this book!" Read more

"...There are even some life lessons. Definitely something to read to an even older kid!" Read more

"Great way to introduce opinion/persuasive writing to kids." Read more

4 customers mention "Book for dog lovers"4 positive0 negative

Customers say the book is great for dog lovers.

"My grandchildren and I all love Ike LaRue. Great book for dog lovers of all ages." Read more

"...Great for dog lovers...." Read more

"Great book for dog lovers..." Read more

"great book for dog loving kids and adults!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it's a perfect book for a very reasonable price.

"...it continues to be well worth the money spent!" Read more

"Fast! Great price!" Read more

"Perfect book for a very reasonable price. Thanks!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024
Purchased as a baby shower gift. My 14 year old received as an infant the same book. Has been a favorite ever since. It's just a cute story with great art work. Well done story about this crazy, imaginative dog, Ike!!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2024
My granddaughter loves this book and we’ve read it over and over and over again. Imaginative and clever. A must have for any child’s library.
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2024
The author both wrote and illustrated the adventures of Ike. I have read the book over and over again and enjoyed it each and every time.
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024
Poor Ike! He's misunderstood! Delightful book. :)
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2023
Woe is me. I’m away from home and I can’t believe you sent me here. Or am I really having a grand time and just trying to guilt trip you? I think most parents have experienced the same situation when a child resists something that they end up enjoying. Gasp! All of the books in the series are great.
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2023
Bought this for my grandson. He loves it. We read it together and discuss the pictures. The dog, Ike, is ornery.
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2022
Great book to read to your kids when they are young! Funny and relatable. I purchased this book the first time at a book fair. I read it to all of my kids, then they started reading it themselves for AR points. Now they are grown and I'm attending baby showers for their friends and this is my go to book to gift.

I read it at all ages, but seemed most appropriate for K-3.
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2021
"Dear Mrs. LaRue" is one of those books you turn to when you - or your child/grandchild - need a laugh. If we had friends with absolutely NO sense of humor, this book would make them chortle, if not guffaw. The laughs come from the discrepancy between the drawings of Ike the dog and his reality, and the story he's making up about his situation. Plan on an abundance of laughing faces with this one.

Top reviews from other countries

Amy Cuffaro
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute story for all ages!!
Reviewed in Canada on March 29, 2024
This book is so funny. I like how you have to look at the pictures for a deeper understanding of the story and the character Ike Larue. Great book for older ages.
One person found this helpful
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asg11
5.0 out of 5 stars Fab book for all ages
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2022
I bought this book to use with my 7-8 year old students, teaching them about letter writing. They found it funny and loved looking at the pictures. Some of the writing might be suited to more confident readers but they all enjoyed the story. A great book for all to enjoy.

The only negative would be that I thought the quality of the paper used for the book was quite low. The paper was very thin and I can imagine it wouldn't survive long in the hands of an excitable class! However, it's an excellent story offering lots of creative writing opportunities, so don't let that put you off!
ヤマボー
5.0 out of 5 stars 犬からの手紙
Reviewed in Japan on January 7, 2006
骨をくわえながら手紙を綴っている犬の表紙に一目惚れして購入。楽しくてかわいい絵本です。

隣の猫を追いかけた,ラルー婦人の留守中に吠えた、盗み食いした、ラルー婦人のキャメルのコートを破いた、などの行いで犬の訓練所に入れられることになったアイク。「ここは刑務所だ!早く迎えにきて」とアイクは毎日ラルー婦人に手紙を書きます。トレーナーにタイプライターを取り上げられ、以降は手書きの手紙。これが味のある文字でまたかわいいのです。そして脱走を決意するアイク。

カラフルなイラストとモノトーンのイラストが交互に出てきますが、モノトーンのほうはアイクが感じていることや回想になっています。イラストの細部にもしっかり伏線が張られていて楽しめます。英語もわかりやすく、お勧めです。
One person found this helpful
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Andrea
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favourite childhood books
Reviewed in Canada on May 15, 2023
What's not to love? Dear Mrs. LaRue series was one of my fav childhood books. Gorgeous paintings on every page such a wonderful and charming story. Bought this for myself as I wish to collect illustration books from my childhood as inspiration for my art and future wishes to make a children's book one day possibly. The book also came in perfect condition.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2016
Great and quick