HARRY GOES TO DOG SCHOOL

Menchin introduces readers to a boy who has taken pretending to be a dog to new levels.

From growling at the dinner table and barking at cats to licking his sister goodnight, Harry makes it clear that he would rather be a dog than a boy. When it is time to send him to school, the Pavlov Royal Academy seems the perfect choice. Harry loves his new classmates and excels at all the morning subjects—sitting, rolling over and fetching. But lunchtime, with its unappetizing food, is a turning point for Harry, who afterward wants to draw and build with blocks. While his new friends are all napping, the teacher wrangles sleepless Harry into being her helper. He plays with, waters and washes the dogs, which finally tires him enough for a nap of his own, during which he dreams of normal boy activities. By dismissal, Harry is cured of wanting to be a dog (mostly). Menchin’s humorous, digitally colored pen-and-ink illustrations feature crisp lines, bright colors, a wide variety of dog breeds and lots of tongue-in-cheek humor. Harry’s expressive face completes the package.

An amusing turnabout that is sure to have readers in stitches…as long as they are not chasing their own tails instead.