Welcome to Book Zone Reviews’ stop on the tour for How to Be Best in Class by Lorena M. Proia. This post is sponsored by Lorena M. Proia and hosted by The Children’s Book Review. Learn more about the book, the author, and my thoughts below. Also, don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Review & Giveway: How to Be Best in ClassHow to Be Best in Class by Lorena Proia
Illustrator: Lorena Proia
Published by PnM Publishing on 2026
ISBN: 9798988573012
Genres: Children's Picture Book
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
five-stars

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 Lorena Proia

Lorena M. Proia headshot

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.

 

MY THOUGHTS

Lorena, Lorena, Lorena, you have done it again! Does your brilliance have no end? With your whimsical drawings and on point prose, you tell a story about uniqueness vs fitting in. Everyone wants to be part of something, to belong, to not make any waves and just fit in.

Through Phebe’s antics we learn that being our unique selves is the best way for people to see who we are and appreciate what we bring to the table. God gave us all a unique personality. We may have some of the same traits as our family and others, however, He gave each of us something inside of us that is intrinsically unique to just us.

I loved Phebe in “How to Make a Sandwich” and she is the star of this story. I don’t want to give away anything, so I encourage you to get the book to see Phebe in [hilarious] action.

What I liked

  • The subtle yet unmistakeable message that it is okay to be yourself eventhough it might make others uncomfortable
  • The loyalty, Rae did not desert her dog in a fit perfectionism
  • If you hang in there, being different is a reward in and of itself.
  • The way the story grabbed at my heart.
  • That the point is driven home with fun and laughter.

What Gave Me Pause:

  • Not a durn thing! I wish it were longer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Do not sacrifice who you are to fit in. No matter how uncomfortable it is at first, being yourself is important.
  • Love doesn’t seek perfection, love is there no matter what!

My Recommendation:

Support this book and if you haven’t already, get a copy of How to Make a Sandwich. See my review for it, here.

LINK: join the Kickstarter Army: https://www.lorenaproiabooks.com/kickstarter

 

Disclosure:

  • I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

 

GIVEAWAY

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.

How to Be Best in Class: Book Giveaway

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

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


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