A how-to handbook offering sage advice from an experienced farm dog begins, “Here’s the first thing you need to know: The rooster wakes the farmer early in the morning. That’s his job. That’s not your job. Don’t wake the farmer. You will really, really want to wake the farmer … If you DO wake the farmer, you can get a biscuit just to go away.” Each lesson proves to be a slight variation on this theme as Ragweed, one of the most entertaining and authentic canine narrators ever to speak from the pages of a picture book, lays out who does what on the farm, what not to do as a farm dog, and how doing it anyway will generally result in a biscuit (or three!). Ragweed’s enthusiasm and almost single-minded focus on biscuits is consistent and convincingly doglike, while the occasional variation on the pattern only adds to the humor. (“If the farmer is away, chase the sheep! No biscuit. It’s just worth it.”). Anne Vittur Kennedy pairs her terrific narrative with illustrations full of color and movement. Ragweed’s joy in the life he lives is irresistible. Highly Commended, 2016 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 4–8)

This tongue-in-cheek primer on how to be a good farm dog--and how ignoring the rules may result in a biscuit--is a guaranteed treat.

Being a farm dog is a tough job, but luckily, Ragweed's handbook will tell you everything you need to know. Step one: don't wake the farmer! You may really, really want to, but that's the rooster's job. Of course, if you do wake the farmer, you might just get a biscuit. . . . Full of hilarious dog logic, Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook explores the pitfalls--and opportunities!--of a dog's life on the farm. Readers will love being in on the joke as Ragweed breaks all his own rules, collecting biscuits as he goes.