Illustrator & Author Profile
Mark Teague
4 Books
Mark Teague is an acclaimed American author and illustrator of children's books. He is widely recognized for his vibrant, expressive illustrations in the bestselling How Do Dinosaurs series, written by Jane Yolen. Teague has also written and illustrated many of his own beloved picture books, including the hilarious Ike LaRue series about a mischievous, letter-writing dog.
Books in "Ike LaRue"
Ike LaRue is back, and this time he is entering the wild world of politics. When a strict mayoral candidate named Hugo Bugwort threatens to impose harsh rules on the fun-loving dogs of Snort City, Ike decides he cannot just sit by. He throws his own collar into the ring and runs for mayor to protect the rights of his fellow canines. Through a series of urgent letters and local newspaper clippings, Ike details the chaotic ups and downs of his election campaign. He tries to win over voters while dealing with the anti-dog rhetoric of his opponent. But when a sudden accident happens at a major campaign rally, Ike has the chance to prove that he is not just a political underdog, but a true hero. This funny election story offers a clever look at campaigning from a dog's perspective.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A peaceful cross-country road trip becomes a hilarious ordeal for Ike the dog. When Mrs. LaRue decides to take a vacation, she agrees to bring along the neighbor's two cats while their owner is in the hospital. Ike is absolutely horrified to be trapped in a car with his feline enemies. As they travel from state to state, Ike sends a series of frantic postcards back home, detailing the supposed misery and chaos caused by the cats. From sightseeing disasters to motel mix-ups, Ike documents every bump in the road through his uniquely dramatic point of view. Despite his constant complaining, the journey forces this unlikely trio to figure out how to share the back seat. This engaging travel story uses postcards to deliver a funny look at family road trips and unexpected traveling companions.
6-8 Years
Ike LaRue, the world's most dramatic dog, is back in trouble and has been falsely accused of a terrible crime. While his owner, Mrs. LaRue, is away on vacation, Ike is arrested and locked up, accused of kidnapping the neighbor's two missing cats. Desperate to clear his good name, Ike begins writing a series of urgent letters detailing his innocence and his own private investigation. He breaks out of his cell and takes to the streets, tracking down clues to find the real feline culprits and prove he was framed. Along the way, his overactive imagination paints a hilarious picture of his life as a hard-boiled canine detective. This clever mystery combines funny letters with split-screen illustrations to show the wild difference between Ike's tall tales and the real truth.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Letters from Obedience School
Ike LaRue, a very dramatic dog, has been sent to the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy for bad behavior. From his "prison," Ike writes a series of desperate letters to his owner, Mrs. LaRue, begging to come home. He exaggerates the hardships of obedience school, contrasting his sad, black-and-white tales of woe with the bright, cheery reality of the actual school. He claims he is being unjustly punished and deprived of his favorite foods. As the days pass, Ike's tales grow taller and his pleas more urgent. Will his dramatic letters convince Mrs. LaRue to rescue her beloved, misunderstood pet, or will Ike have to plan an incredible escape? This clever epistolary tale blends humor with split-screen illustrations to show the hilarious difference between a dog's imagination and the truth.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
