Dog Days of School

April 21, 2014
It’s an entire week of Freaky Friday when Charlie’s wish to forego school and live a dog’s life results in a magical swapping of places with his pet, Norman. The dream sours when they both encounter the “long, boring, awful” aspects of the other’s existence (grooming appointments, stories about cats) and discover that bad behavior has its consequences no matter your species. DiPucchio’s (Crafty Chloe) tight, straight-faced prose (“On Friday, Norman ran into some trouble with the scissors and the glue”) is a great read throughout, but just as Gromit is funnier and more intriguing than Wallace, the humor and interest scales of this story tip very much in favor of Norman, who Biggs (Everything Goes) draws as a sort of kidney bean with droopy ears. Norman takes to kid life like he was born to it, creating a strikingly realistic hydrant out of clay and passing out after trying to finish a “triple hot-fudge banana sundae with extra whipped cream.” Reach for this one when the realities and routine of school require a little comic perspective. Ages 6–8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

June 1, 2014
"Be careful what you wish for" is just one of the messages in this humorous book about switching places.Charlie is tired of school and all the letter practice and picture drawing. His dog, Norman, doesn't have to go to school. Charlie wishes on a star to be a dog, and the next morning, he and Norman have switched places. While the dog rushes off to school to enjoy writing, playing kickball and making clay sculptures, Charlie lies back, relishing the opportunity to get some extra sleep and watch the leaves fall. But as the week goes on, both Norman and Charlie begin to see the drawbacks of the new arrangement. Norman gets in trouble for his chewing habit and must listen to a story about cats. Charlie drinks out of the toilet and gets locked outside in the cold. One wish-upon-a-star later, Charlie couldn't be happier to wake up in his own bed and be going back to school. Biggs' illustrations, done in a bright palette of aqua, olive, purple, mustard, red and orange, are hysterical, as the two swap places but not bodies: The boy acts like a dog and vice versa. And while the people's faces manage to convey emotion with just a tiny mouth and dot eyes, Norman's droll expression never changes, adding to the farcical nature of the tale.The conclusion kids might draw? Going to school isn't nearly as bad as being a dog. (Picture book. 5-8)

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July 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 1-Rather than face the grind of practicing his letters, drawing pictures, and trying to explain himself to his teacher, young Charlie wishes he could trade places with his carefree dog, Norman, on Sunday night. When his mother comes to wake him for school on Monday morning, it seems that his wish has come true. Hilarity ensues as Norman tries out the boy's activities throughout the week...with mixed results. He does fine with playing house, kickball, and maracas, but the teacher scolds him "for chewing his pencil, and the table, and her shoes." Meanwhile, Charlie stares out the window watching leaves fall, drinks from the toilet bowl, and endures a trip to the groomer. At week's end, and relegated to the backyard, Charlie wishes to be a boy once again. This clever text explores the "grass is always greener" notion with a deadpan delivery and Biggs's delightful, boldly outlined cartoon art extends the humor and brings down the (dog) house. The perfect choice for any reluctant scholars.-Luann Toth, School Library Journal

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014
Grades K-3 Charlie dislikes school so much that on Sunday nights, he can't sleep. Looking enviously at his snoozing dog, Norman, Charlie sighs, I wish I was a dog. The next morning, Charlie wakes up on the floor and sees Norman in his bed. He watches his mother pat the dog's head and tell him that it's time for school. The two switch places for an entire week before Charlie decides that he's had enough and wishes to be a boy again. Defined by bold lines, rounded shapes, and bright colors, the artwork features amusing pictures of the dog maneuvering classroom activities and the boy doing typical doggy things, including drinking out of the toilet, a scene sure to draw laughs. The choice to illustrate Charlie always as a boy and Norman as a dog makes the visual humor work, though kids may wonder why no one else notices the switch. Still, the story reads aloud well, and the digital artwork adds to the fun.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)