How to Be Best in Class by Lorena M. Proia
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read

Phebe’s first day of obedience class is… a lot.
She is enthusiastic, dramatic, energetic, and very excited to be there.
Unfortunately, she is not exactly doing what Rae or the instructor expect from a “perfect pup.” When Rae says “Come!” she stays. When she says “Stay!” she comes. And the other dogs & kids in the class are quick to notice that Phebe does not seem to be mastering the skills.
But what I loved about this story is how quickly it shifts from “Phebe isn’t getting it” to “Phebe just does things differently.”
This becomes such a gentle and thoughtful story about seeing the world in your own way, solving problems differently, and realizing that being “best in class” does not always look how we think it should. Phebe may never be the most obedient dog in the room, but she proves to be an incredible companion to Rae in ways that matter far more.
The illustrations are full of personality and detail. Dog lovers, and especially families who have trained a very energetic puppy, will recognize so many moments in this book and smile.
This is a lovely read for classrooms, families, and children who need the reminder that doing things differently does not mean doing them wrong.

Synopsis
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?
Support This Book on Kickstarter
How to Be Best in Class is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. You can help bring this book to life by backing the campaign here:
Giveaway
Back this book on Kickstarter and enter the giveaway for a chance to win:
A signed copy of How to Make a Sandwich
Matching Phebe-n-Me T-shirts (adult and child sizes)
A set of 12 Phebe-n-Me note cards
About the Author
Lorena M. Proia is the award-winning author and illustrator of How to Make a Sandwich. She splits her time between just outside Boston and the Berkshire Mountains, and enjoys hiking and Dog Agility with her two Australian Shepherds.
Learn more at www.lorenaproiabooks.com
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Lorena M. Proia. The review and opinions expressed here are my own.



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