Good Dog, McTavish

Written by Meg Rosoff
Illustrated by Grace Easton

The Peachy family is, shall we say, dysfunctional. In fact, each member is so wrapped up in themselves that it’s a wonder anything at all happens. What’s the answer? A dog, of course.

In this dryly humorous new book, the author finds the answer for the Peachys.

Ma Peachy is so fed up, she abandons all her motherly duties to take up yoga. When the household begins to fall apart, almost-nine Betty insists that the rest of the family find a dog at the local shelter. McTavish adopts the family and sets about straightening them out. He gets them to put away their clothing and shoes by gathering all stray items at his bed and chewing on all stray shoes. He gets them to eat better by refusing to eat anything but boiled chicken and rice with vegetables. He gets them to wake at a reasonable hour by making a fuss at a very early hour. After the family members learn to act like a family, Ma Peachy abandons her yoga.

Anyone who’s ever been trained by a dog knows how powerfully they can change a person. Beyond that, readers will see how a real family functions and what they can do to help that along. Plus, this is just a fun book.

  • Good Dog McTavishTitle: Good Dog, McTavish
  • Author: Meg Rosoff
  • Illustrator: Grace Easton
  • Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2019
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 112 pages
  • Grade Level: 2 to 5
  • Genre: Chapter book, Humor, Family
  • ISBN: 978-1-5362-0058-4

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