OLIVE AND SNOWFLAKE

Is there obedience school for children?

Olive and her dog Snowflake spend their time together in various household adventures, but they always seem to get into trouble. Colorful, cartoonlike illustrations show a charming, active girl and her perky canine at play, accidentally making mess after mess. When Mom’s favorite lamp breaks, it’s the last straw, and Olive’s parents decide it’s time to send Snowflake to obedience school. If it doesn’t work, Snowflake may even have to go to some other family! Round-faced and wide-eyed, Olive worries that if she herself doesn’t shape up, she may be sent away too. It all comes to a head when obedience school begins, and Olive realizes that while Snowflake will be able to master the tips and tricks, she may not. Once Mom learns of the misconception, it’s cleared up (“We would never send you away,” she tells her daughter). Olive and Snowflake practice, practice, practice, until Snowflake learns to behave and help Olive clean up—and gets to stay. While this selection may have limited appeal, it does a good job of explaining obedience school while highlighting the love of a girl and her dog. The satisfying ending will have readers cheering for Olive and Snowflake and admiring their perseverance. A nice choice to help dogs—and children—learn how to behave. (Picture book. 3-6)