Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School

Reach for this book when your child is going through a phase of dramatic exaggeration or feels that household rules are akin to cruel and unusual punishment. It is the perfect tool for a parent who wants to gently poke fun at a child's flair for the theatrical while exploring the difference between objective truth and subjective feelings. Through the letters of a very dramatic dog named Ike, children learn that how we describe a situation often depends on what we want to get out of it. The story follows Ike as he is sent to an obedience school that he describes in his letters as a dark, bread-and-water prison. However, the clever illustrations reveal he is actually living in luxury. This book is ideal for ages 4 to 9, offering a sophisticated but accessible lesson on perspective. It is a wonderful choice for encouraging children to reflect on their own 'dramatic' moments with a sense of humor rather than defensiveness.