This book captures the hilarious chaos of a pet taking instructions too literally and overwhelming its owner with loud, musical ambition. Children enjoy seeing a familiar nursery character lose control to a dog with a messy, unstoppable passion for noise. Books in this family share escalating slapstick comedy and a subversion of authority that celebrates wild, uninhibited exploration.
A parent might reach for this book when their child has just thrown themselves into a new, possibly very loud, hobby. Based on the classic nursery rhyme, this story follows Old Mother Hubbard's very literal dog. When she suggests he stop reading and 'learn to play,' he embarks on a musical journey, enthusiastically taking up the trumpet, tuba, and drums, much to her dismay. The book is a hilarious and gentle look at the chaos that comes with creative passion and learning a new skill. It's a perfect, funny read-aloud for ages 4-7 that validates a child's exuberant enthusiasm while giving parents a knowing chuckle.
