Headmaster Charlie: Charlie Goes to School by Ree Drummond

OH, HELLO! CHARLIE THE RANCH DOG HERE.

THINGS ARE SURE BUSY AROUND THE OLD HOMESTEAD TODAY!

As usual, Charlie the Ranch Dog is only too happy to help. Charlie's expertise is, of course, focused on keeping an eye upon everyone's work until he is overtaken by a nap. Daddy and Cowboy Josh are about their tasks, and Charlie pronounces them properly and diligently employed.

But Mama and the kids are inside, just sitting around the big table. What's with that?

THIS PLACE IS CERTAINLY FALLING APART WITHOUT ME!

HEY! CHALKBOARD! BOOKS ALL OVER!

WHY, I DO BELIEVE THEY'RE DOING SCHOOL!

As always, Charlie can't rest (although he can still think about it) until he is right in the middle of everything. But Mama is unusually stern about keeping the kids on task. She gives Charlie a teacherly hairy eyeball which convinces him that she doesn't require his help!

But wait! There are some unschooled animals around this ranch who could surely do with some edification and education, and Charlie has just the mature experience to instruct them. Charlie has an unusual burst of energy, rounds up some horses, Kitty, fellow ranch dog Suzie, and puppy Walter, and ranch school is in session!

Of course, Charlie has a little trouble disciplining his charges (hilarity ensues) in Charlie Goes to School (Harper, 2013), the latest in Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond'sr Charlie series. Although this one is a little short on plot, Diane De Groat's totally beguiling illustrations of Charlie and his rowdy classroom crew are charming and funny enough to fill in any gaps in the storytelling. True to form, Ree Drummond appends a ranch-hearty dessert recipe for strawberry oat bars that will make even a non-Basset hound drool.

For beginning readers, pair this one with Drummon's I-Can-Read Charlie saga, Charlie the Ranch Dog: Where's the Bacon? (I Can Read Book 1) for more homespun fun.