Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hilarious, series-ending romp has minor animal bites, lying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In IGGY RULES THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, the ever-in-trouble Iggy wants to prove to this parents that he's mature and responsible so they'll let him have a puppy. But his actions are misguided -- like locking his little sister in a dog crate outside so she'll be "safe." Opportunity arises when his teacher asks if anyone can take care of the class pets -- a hamster, snake, and chinchilla -- over the weekend; Iggy volunteers to take all three. His teacher says he can do it if his parents say it's OK. Iggy forgets to ask them, lies about having gotten their permission, takes them home, and stashes them in his room. Things don't go well during his older sister's sleepover party, when he carelessly lets the animals escape. How will Iggy get out of this jam?
Is It Any Good?
As usual, the harder Iggy tries to tread the straight and narrow, the more he messes up -- in hilarious ways. Equally funny are Iggy's many justifications of his actions and flawed decision-making process. He seems incapable of seeing the potentially disastrous outcomes ahead, but the reader -- and the unseen narrator -- can, which adds to the suspense and fun. The phrase "What could go wrong?" comes to mind.
Iggy Rules the Animal Kingdom is billed as the final book is the series, so we may never know to what extent Iggy has learned from his many mistakes. But it's been fun watching him make them!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how lies get Iggy in trouble in Iggy Rules the Animal Kingdom. How might things have turned out if he had just told the truth?
How hard is it to prove you're mature and responsible? Have you ever had to prove that to a parent, teacher, or caregiver to get permission to do something? How did it turn out?
Have you read all the Iggy books? How do you feel about the series ending?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Sam Ricks
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : June 13, 2023
- Number of pages : 128
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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