
A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling anxious about school rules, making friends, or fitting in. It's a fantastic tool for normalizing the frustration that can come with new social and academic expectations. The story follows the outrageously naughty Kitty, who, after a particularly destructive tantrum, is forced to attend obedience school with the ever-enthusiastic Puppy. Through Nick Bruel's signature blend of comic panels, zany text, and hilarious asides, the book explores themes of anger, impulse control, and the rocky road to friendship. Its chaotic humor and high-energy format are perfect for reluctant readers or any child aged 6-9 who needs to see that feeling frustrated with rules is normal, and that even the 'baddest' among us can learn and find a friend.
This book does not contain sensitive topics. All conflict is behavioral, comedic, and resolved in a lighthearted, secular manner. The resolution is hopeful and humorous, focused on slight behavioral improvement and budding friendship rather than a heavy moral lesson.
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Sign in to write a reviewThis is for the 6 to 8-year-old who is a newly independent reader and thrives on humor and visual gags. It is perfectly suited for a child struggling with the structure of school, who feels oppositional about rules, or who has been labeled a 'difficult' kid. It provides a cathartic and hilarious outlet for those feelings of frustration.
No prep is needed. A parent can hand this book over and let the child enjoy it. The humor is self-explanatory. The interspersed 'Uncle Murray's Fun Facts' can be read or skipped without losing the plot. It might be helpful to be ready to talk about why Kitty's choices are funny in a book but not okay for real life. A parent might seek this book after their child comes home from school angry, complaining that the rules are 'stupid' or that they 'hate' school. It's also a great choice following a note from a teacher about difficulty with sharing, listening, or general impulse control.
A younger reader (6-7) will focus on the slapstick humor: Kitty eating everything, the silly drawings, and the sheer chaos. An older reader (8-9) will better appreciate the wordplay, the character archetypes (like the nerdy Petunia), and the subtle arc of Kitty's begrudging personal growth. They will also get more out of the informational factoid sections.
Unlike most school stories that are gentle and reassuring, this book tackles school anxiety with loud, cathartic, laugh-out-loud humor. Its hybrid format, blending traditional text with comic panels and non-fiction asides, is exceptionally engaging for readers who may be intimidated by solid blocks of text. It validates a child's frustration with rules rather than simply telling them to behave.
After an epic, alphabet-themed tantrum, Kitty's owner has had enough and enrolls her and the ever-present Puppy in Dr. Lagomorph's Obedience School. The book follows their chaotic school day, from a lesson on sharing (which Kitty fails spectacularly) to a listening exercise and show-and-tell. Kitty struggles with every rule, often with disastrous and hilarious results. Despite her best efforts to remain a 'bad kitty,' she accidentally learns a thing or two and even forms a reluctant friendship with a fellow student, a big dog named Petunia.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.