How to Be Best in Class Awareness Tour is presented in partnership* with Lorena M. Proia and The Children’s Book Review.
Get ready for a paws-itively hilarious trip to obedience school in Lorena M. Proia’s How to Be Best in Class, where being different just might be the best lesson of all!
Help Bring This Book to Life: How to Be Best in Class is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter and needs your support! Back the campaign today to secure your copy and help this important story about neurodivergence reach classrooms everywhere.
When an energetic Australian Shepherd with a flair for drama enrolls in obedience class, things quickly spiral into a series of hilarious mix-ups and misunderstood commands. Phebe just can’t seem to sit when she’s told to sit — or stay when she’s told to stay — but when it’s time to play fetch, her brilliance shines. Told with an affirming lens on neurodivergence, Lorena M. Proia’s How to Be Best in Class invites young readers to celebrate what makes every learner unique.
A unique and winning celebration of difference and creativity.
—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Back this book on Kickstarter to help reach its funding goal AND enter our giveaway for the chance to win an extra-special bundle featuring a signed copy of the first book in this delightful series, How to Make a Sandwich, a matching set of Phebe-n-Me T-shirts (one child size and one adult size), and a gorgeous collection of 12 blank note cards with Phebe-n-Me designs. Don’t miss your chance to bring these exciting prizes home — enter below!
How to Be Best in Class
Virtual Tour Dates
| Thursday, January 29, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Friday, January 30, 2026 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Monday, February 2, 2026 The Fairview Review Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Tuesday, February 3, 2026 Bored Military Wife Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Wednesday, February 4, 2026 @meghenslittlelibrary Instagram Post about How to Be Best in Class |
| Thursday, February 5, 2026 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on How to Be Best in Class |
| Friday, February 6, 2026 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Monday, February 9, 2026 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Lorena M. Proia |
| Tuesday, February 10, 2026 @avainbookland Instagram Post about How to Be Best in Class |
| Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Book Zone Reviews Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Thursday, February 12, 2026 Un Viaje en Libro Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Friday, February 13, 2026 Froggy Read Teach Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Monday, February 16, 2026 @tinks_books_and_fosters Instagram Post about How to Be Best in Class |
| Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Mrs. Makes Reading Fun Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Wednesday, February 18, 2026 One More Exclamation Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Thursday, February 19, 2026 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Friday, February 20, 2026 Delicously Savvy Book Review of How to Be Best in Class |
| Saturday, February 21, 2026 @nissa_the.bookworm Instagram Post about How to Be Best in Class |
| Sunday, February 22, 2026 Me Two Books Author Interview with Lorena M. Proia |
Love what you’re reading? This book needs YOUR support to come to life! Back How to Be Best in Class on Kickstarter today.
How to Be Best in Class Book Giveaway
How to Be Best in Class: Book GiveawayAbout the Book
How to Be Best in Class
Written and Illustrated by Lorena M. Proia
Ages: 4-8 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Self Published D.B.A. PnM Publishing (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-9885730-1-2
Publisher’s Book Summary: Obedience class is hard. Especially if you don’t do things like the other dogs do. Phebe’s flair for drama isn’t appreciated by her classmates, and when Rae says, “Come!” she stays. When she says “Stay!” she comes.
Seeing the world a little differently than everyone else makes it easy to be misunderstood. Rae wants Phebe to fall into line, but Phebe can’t help but be herself.
Will Phebe ever learn to be a perfect pup?
About the Author-Illustrator
Lorena M. Proia is the author and illustrator of the award-winning How to Make a Sandwich. She splits her time between being a city mouse just outside of Boston and a country mouse in the Berkshire Mountains. When she’s not drawing or designing, she’s hiking or playing Dog Agility with her two Australian Shepherds.
You can find out more about her, Phebe, and her books at www.lorenaproiabooks.com.
Thanks for following along with us on Lorena M. Proia’s How to Be Best in Class awareness tour! Don’t forget to back the book on Kickstarter before the campaign ends.
33 Comments
Sounds like a fun book. Good luck with the fundraiser, as it also sounds like a wonderful book.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
I’d be excited to win this prize pack because my child would love it.
cute cover
What has been your main goal with writing?
Do you have any family members who are writers?
Cute book, thank you!
Fabulous cover. Sounds wonderful. 💕
Tell me about your main character’s first love.
I would like to win this book for my grandson.
Do you have a special writing drink?
My two dogs used to hate each other, but they are learning to play with each other and they share dog toys
What is in the works for 2026?
What was the scariest moment in your main character’s life?
What is the craziest myth you’ve ever heard of?
I’m so excited! Looks like fun!
What is your favourite topic to research for your books?
How old were you when you decided you wanted to be an author?
My pets are their own, Sometimes follow, others not.
Did you watch the Superbowl?
What was your favorite subject in school?
What’s the best advice you’ve given a friend?
Do you have a daily writing schuedule?
What improvements would you like to make to your writing?
Tell me your best technique for world building.
Our latest rescue is a 2-year old beagle-boxer mix named Eva who we affectionately call Evakinevil due to her high flying energy!
How do you avoid burnout?
What is the most important grammar tip you know?
Who do you look up to as a writer?
What was your best story you’ve told?
This book sounds like a good read.
I like what I read and see about this book. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Where you inspired by Walt Disney?