Review - Such a Good Boy

Such a Good Boy
by Marianna Coppo
Date: 2020
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

The ultimate kids' book about dogs, being good, being bad, and being yourself!

From the award-winning, critically acclaimed author of Petra.

Meet Buzz the dog.

He's such a good boy.

Buzz seems to have a perfect life .. .

and a lot of very well-behaved friends.

Buzz would never dream of being anything other than good.

Right, Buzz?
Buzz . . . ?

For anyone who has ever felt pressure to be "good" at the expense of their own self-expression, and for anyone who has ever owned and loved a dog, this beautifully illustrated picture book from author-illustrator Marianna Coppo will have you laughing, smiling, and longing for your own unfettered frolic in the park.

• With charming art and a positive message, this is an ideal read-aloud book for parents and children to share.
• For dog lovers, pet lovers, and any kid who knows how hard it is to be good all the time
• Marianna Coppo's first book, Petra, was a Good Reads Choice Awards Picture Book Finalist and received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus.

For dog-loving children and fans of such picture books as Gaston, Harry the Dirty Dog, Antoinette, and Naughty Mabel.

For any child who struggles to be "good" and understands the fun (and frustration) of being "bad."

• Picture books for kids ages 5–8
• Dog books for kids
• Books about acceptance, self-confidence, and being yourself

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Aside from the dog reminding me of the one my family had when I was growing up, there's not much about this book I really loved. It's basically just a weak story about an over-fluffed pooch who wants to run wild, dig holes, and eat poop. He gets his chance when he's left at the groomer... and escapes. But then he realizes his people are looking for him. (I might've liked this one better had the ending not been so ambiguous.)

I can't quite tell if this is taking a swipe at people who pamper their dogs, or if it's just a simple story about a dog doing what dogs do. The text really is from a dog's point of view, making the humans into the bad guys because they won't let the dog be... well, a dog. (I don't really care if it's natural, though; eating poop is gross.)

The illustrations are simple, but cute. Kids will probably enjoy them. I just wish they accompanied something with a bit more substance.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.5 out of 5