Rating: 5 stars
This post is sponsored by Lorena M. Proia and hosted by The Children’s Book Review.
ABOUT THE BOOK
How to Be Best in Class by Lorena Proia
Illustrator: Lorena Proia
Published by PnM Publishing on 2026
ISBN: 9798988573012
Genres: Children's Picture Book
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Publisher’s Book Summary: Obedience class is hard. Especially if you don’t do things like the other dogs do. Phebe’s flair for drama isn’t appreciated by her classmates, and when Rae says, “Come!” she stays. When she says “Stay!” she comes.
Seeing the world a little differently than everyone else makes it easy to be misunderstood. Rae wants Phebe to fall into line, but Phebe can’t help but be herself.
Will Phebe ever learn to be a perfect pup?
About Lorena Proia
Lorena M. Proia is the author and illustrator of the award-winning How to Make a Sandwich. She splits her time between being a city mouse just outside of Boston and a country mouse in the Berkshire Mountains. When she’s not drawing or designing, she’s hiking or playing Dog Agility with her two Australian Shepherds.
You can find out more about her, Phebe, and her books at the links below:
Website | Facebook | Amazon | Instagram
MY THOUGHTS
Lorena, Lorena, Lorena, you have done it again! Does your brilliance have no end? With your whimsical drawings and on point prose, you tell a story about uniqueness vs fitting in. Everyone wants to be part of something, to belong, to not make any waves and just fit in.
Through Phebe’s antics we learn that being our unique selves is the best way for people to see who we are and appreciate what we bring to the table. God gave us all a unique personality. We may have some of the same traits as our family and others, however, He gave each of us something inside of us that is intrinsically unique to just us.
I loved Phebe in “How to Make a Sandwich” and she is the star of this story. I don’t want to give away anything, so I encourage you to get the book to see Phebe in [hilarious] action.
What I liked
- The subtle yet unmistakeable message that it is okay to be yourself eventhough it might make others uncomfortable
- The loyalty, Rae did not desert her dog in a fit perfectionism
- If you hang in there, being different is a reward in and of itself.
- The way the story grabbed at my heart.
- That the point is driven home with fun and laughter.
What Gave Me Pause:
- Not a durn thing! I wish it were longer.
Key Takeaways:
- Do not sacrifice who you are to fit in. No matter how uncomfortable it is at first, being yourself is important.
- Love doesn’t seek perfection, love is there no matter what!
My Recommendation:
Support this book and if you haven’t already, get a copy of How to Make a Sandwich. See my review for it.
Disclosure:
- I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.