Felix Powell, Boy Dog Erin Entrada Kelly – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Felix Powell, Boy Dog Erin Entrada Kelly

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2025

83%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

A boy turns into a dog and discovers wagging tails are harder to control than he thought—charming illustrated chapter book magic.

Felix Powell, Boy Dog Erin Entrada Kelly

book

2025

83%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

A boy turns into a dog and discovers wagging tails are harder to control than he thought—charming illustrated chapter book magic.

4.5

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a delightful, accessible early chapter book that hits the sweet spot for kids transitioning to longer reads. Erin Entrada Kelly—who won Newbery Medals for heavier, more complex work—brings her storytelling skill to a lighter, funnier format here, and it shows. The premise is silly and engaging without being chaotic, the illustrations keep visual learners hooked, and the emotional core (friendship, problem-solving, empathy for animals) is solid.

It's not going to change anyone's life or win literary awards, but that's not the point. This is a confidence-builder for emerging readers, a page-turner for animal-obsessed kids, and a genuinely funny story about what it's like to suddenly have four legs and a tail you can't control. Publishers Weekly starred it for good reason—it's just right for its audience.

If your kid is 6-8 and loves dogs, this is an easy win. If they're 10+ and reading Harry Potter, they'll probably find it too young. Know your audience.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-9, especially kids who are ready for chapter books but still love illustrations. The humor, pacing, and gentle stakes are perfectly calibrated for early elementary readers. Animal lovers and fans of Ivy + Bean or Dory Fantasmagory will eat this up.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A warm, funny story about friendship, family, and animals with emotionally healthy themes. Felix's transformation into a dog creates humorous situations while modeling curiosity and problem-solving. The tone is consistently gentle and age-appropriate, with no mean-spirited content. Characters are relatable and kind, including both human and animal friends. The pacing is well-suited for early middle-grade readers with short, engaging chapters.

Imaginative

The magical transformation premise is classic but executed with fresh humor—Felix navigating life as a dog (tail wagging, seeing differently, dealing with a snobby cat named Gumbo) invites kids to think about perspective-taking in creative ways. Kelly illustrates nearly every page herself, adding visual storytelling that sparks imagination. The concept of talking to animals and experiencing their world firsthand encourages empathy and wonder. Not groundbreaking, but solidly inventive for the target age.

Safe

Completely safe content with no concerning elements. This is a gentle, illustrated chapter book with magical realism but no violence, scary content, or inappropriate themes. The transformation is whimsical rather than frightening. Common Sense Media notes it as appropriate for big kids and tweens with no safety flags. No toxic relationships, no death or trauma. The only 'conflict' is Felix figuring out how to return to being a boy and dealing with a snooty cat—all played for laughs.

Enriching

Offers meaningful lessons about perspective-taking, empathy for animals, and problem-solving through an entertaining story. Felix must use ingenuity to navigate his new canine reality, which models adaptability. The friendship themes are genuine and the animal perspective angle builds compassion. However, this is primarily a fun, accessible read rather than deeply thought-provoking—it's enriching in the way good early chapter books are, building reading confidence and emotional intelligence without being heavy-handed. Entertainment value is high for the target age.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Written and illustrated by two-time Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly, bringing serious literary chops to a fun early chapter book
Short, high-interest chapters with illustrations on almost every page make it perfect for kids transitioning from picture books to novels
The body-swap premise is hilarious and relatable—Felix dealing with uncontrollable tail wagging and grayscale vision is genuinely funny
Builds empathy for animals by literally putting readers in a dog's paws, encouraging perspective-taking without being preachy
Great for reluctant readers who love animals—the humor and accessible format keep pages turning

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What to Watch For

This is gentle, light content—no scary transformations or high-stakes drama, just magical fun
Early middle-grade reading level means simpler vocabulary and shorter chapters, which might feel too young for confident 10+ readers
The magical transformation isn't explained deeply—it just happens, which is fine for the target age but might frustrate kids who want detailed world-building

Conversation Starters

"If you could turn into any animal for a day, which would you pick and why? What would be the hardest part?"
"Felix can't see colors as a dog—what do you think would be the weirdest thing about experiencing the world differently?"
"How do you think Mary Puppins felt when Felix suddenly understood what she was saying?"
"What would you miss most about being human if you turned into an animal?"

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