Book Review of Ode to a Pug: Naughty? Who Me?
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The Children’s Book Review
Ode to a Pug: Naughty? Who Me?
Written by Jill Rosen
Illustrated by Stephanie Rohr
Ages: 3+ | 36 Pages
Publisher: Pug House Books Inc. (2026) | ISBN: 978-1-0695069-0-0
What to Expect: Christmas, holiday mischief, pets, dog training, impulse control, persistence, learning from mistakes, potty humor.
Fans of the Ode to a Pug series will be glad to see their favorite troublemaker back as the present-shredding pug spends Christmas Eve on a chewing spree, then goes to doggy school to learn the hardest command of all: “Leave it!”
Strange noises wake Pug on Christmas Eve, and she follows her snout to the living room where she finds red boots vanishing up the chimney and a mountain of gifts under the tree. One sniff turns into one nibble, and one nibble turns into a full holiday demolition, while her smug feline sidekick, Cat, watches on. By morning, Mom has had enough and drives her straight to doggy school, where treats go only to the pups who can resist temptation—that’s a tall order for a pug whose tummy always wins! Can she earn her biscuit, and her spot on Santa’s good side, before the holiday is over?
Author Jill Rosen writes in polished rhyming couplets with a cheeky first-person voice, and the pug’s lack of self-awareness drives the humor. Lines like “Well, I figured out what she’s in here for!” (after a poodle pees on the floor) and the loophole logic of “no one said ‘Leave it.’ So, okay to do!” will get real laughs, but the best idea in the book is the repeated “Leave it!” in speech bubbles. This reprise gives young listeners an easy, built-in chance to shout along, and it’s a phrase every dog-owning family knows.
Stephanie Rohr’s soft, textured digital art uses a deliberate palette: hushed nighttime blues for the mischief and bright, buttery morning yellows for the reckoning; and spreads like the one with a toppled tree are packed with funny detail that fans of the Ode to a Pug series have come to love, including a shredded umbrella, a litter box “gift” stamped with a cat face, and Mom’s hair standing straight up. Cat’s deadpan expressions add a second comedy track, and the final image of Santa’s Nice List delivers a visual punchline the text never spells out.
Ode to a Pug: Naughty? Who Me? is a cozy, giggly holiday read-aloud best for preschoolers and early-elementary kids, and especially families who’ve just brought home a puppy (or a pup with a slipper habit). And any child who has ever struggled to wait, share, or keep their hands to themselves will see a bit of themselves in this lovable, gassy rule-breaker.
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About the Author
Award-winning, bestselling author Jill Rosen is a career marketer and advertiser who lives with two kids, three dogs, two cats, and a former stand-up comic and Princeton sketch-comedy writing husband. She doesn’t need to go far for comedic inspiration or advice!
Through her brand management work, Jill’s early recognition of, and appreciation for, powerful writing and artistic design only flourished. She is a seasoned workshop facilitator and strategic healthcare consultant, specializing in mental health and infertility.
Jill was inspired to begin writing her own stories by her two boys, both avid readers.
For more information, visit www.odetoapug.com.
About the Illustrator
Steph Rohr is a French Award-winning children’s book illustrator who earned a distinction from ECV Art School in Paris. She is fond of anything silly, funny, wacky, daft, and colorful.
A freelance Illustrator & Art Director, Steph has been working in London in publishing and advertising.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Ode to a Pug: Naughty? Who Me? Learn more about getting a book review …
