Tall Tails

While not all teachers are going to be as enthusiastic as Miss Darling about classroom menageries, many do believe that class pets serve a purpose. Walk into Andrew Writnour's third-grade classroom at Smith School in Hillsdale, NJ, and you'll see not only 20 children, but also hermit crabs and a Siamese fighting fish. Walk into the preschool classrooms at Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, NJ, and you'll see fish tanks, gerbils, and parakeets. Why would teachers who are already committed to educating and nurturing children take on the added responsibility of “critters”? Andrew says, “My first thoughts were that it would teach responsibility and springboard writing assignments. In time, however, I noticed children who might not otherwise interact talking and laughing when caring for the animals. They've increased the sense of community in my classroom.” At Elisabeth Morrow, teachers note that while children both enjoy and learn from observing the animals, they are also a valuable distraction. Trish Eikelberg, a preschool teacher, notes, “When a child is distressed, often talking to that child near the fish tank has a calming effect.” Teachers must consider many things before deciding if a classroom pet is right for their situation. In fairness to both the children and the animals, the decision should not be made lightly. Some of the books and Web sites listed here explore the pertinent issues, others detail proper care of typical classroom pets, and others focus on story, some realistically, some imaginatively. All will captivate children, as well as offer good preparation, as teachers and children seek the “truly awesome classroom pet.”

CLEMENTS, Andrew. Slippers at School. illus. by Janie Bynum. Dutton. 2005. RTE $12.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47189-9.

K-Gr 2–Slippers the puppy sneaks into Laura's backpack and spends the day at school. He goes exploring and misunderstandings abound, as when the cafeteria cook shouts “A Dog!” and is offered a hot dog. Eventually, Slippers returns home with his owner none the wiser. Bynum's clean, simple lines capture the gentle humor of the situation.

COX, Judy. Don't Be Silly, Mrs. Millie! illus. by Joseph Mathieu. Marshall Cavendish. 2005. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-7614-5166-2.

K-Gr 3–Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Millie says, “Good morning, children. Please hang up your goats.” The children reply, “Don't be silly, Mrs. Millie! You mean our coats!” Similar wordplay abounds throughout, and the humor is carried by brightly hued illustrations: dismayed goats hanging by their horns, a gorilla cheese sandwich, one very annoyed weasel slathered with paint. Pure fun from beginning to end. Video and DVD versions available from Nutmeg Media.

CRONIN, Doreen. Diary of a Worm. illus. by Harry Bliss. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler Bks. 2003. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-000150-6; PLB $16.89. ISBN 978-0-06-000151-3.

K-Gr 2–Cronin combines the silly (practicing manners by saying hello to the first ant in line only to realize there are 600 more) and the informative (“when we dig tunnels, we help the earth to breathe”) in this clever glimpse into the daily life of a worm. Comical cartoon illustrations with varying perspectives aptly convey a worm's-eye view and just might spark interest in a classroom worm farm. Video/DVD and audio versions available from Weston Woods.

DODDS, Dayle Ann. Teacher's Pets. illus. by Marylin Hafner. Candlewick. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2252-7.

K-Gr 3–When the students in Miss Fry's class bring pets for sharing day, they neglect to take them home. Soon her menagerie includes a rooster, a goat, a monkey, and a boa constrictor. A sweet story spotlighting a gentle, patient teacher, enhanced by vibrant and amusing watercolors.

FRASER, Mary Ann. I.Q. Goes to the Library. 2003. ISBN 978-0-8027-8877-1; ISBN 978-0-8027-8878-8; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-8027-7727-0.
——. I.Q. Goes to School. 2002. ISBN 978-0-8027-8813-9; ISBN 978-0-8027-8814-6; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-8027-7698-3.
——. I.Q., It's Time. 2005. ISBN 978-0-8027-8978-5; ISBN 978-0-8027-8980-8. ea. vol: illus. by author. Walker. Tr $15.95; RTE $16.85.

K-Gr 2–Although Mrs. Furber introduces I.Q. as the class pet, the mouse engages in all of the student activities, simply adapting them to his size. In the first book, he is introduced to the library. Next, he learns to count and read, and even takes his turn as “Student of the Week.” Finally, I.Q. follows the class through the day's activities as they learn about telling time. Brightly colored gouache illustrations have crisp clean lines and charming comedic details.

HOBERMAN, Mary Ann, adapt. Mary Had a Little Lamb. illus. by Nadine Bernard Westcott. Little, Brown/Megan Tingley Bks. 2003. RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-0-316-60687-5.

K-Gr 2–In this clever adaptation of the familiar rhyme, the lamb is not turned away, but joins the class to learn to read, write, and play soccer. Finally, the teacher changes the school rule to “lambs welcome.” Westcott's delightful illustrations have lots of child appeal.

KALMAN, Maira. Smartypants: (Pete in School). illus. by author. Putnam. 2003. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-399-23478-1.

K-Gr 3–Pete the dog eats absolutely everything. When he follows his owner to school, he devours the teacher's pants and is sent to the principal's office, where he eats the encyclopedia. Now able to speak, Pete impresses everyone with his super intelligence. This quirky tale is accompanied by equally quirky illustrations and peppered with amusing asides. Video and audio versions available from Spoken Arts Media.

KENAH, Katharine. The Best Seat in Second Grade. illus. by Abby Carter. HarperCollins. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-000734-8; PLB $16.89. ISBN 978-0-06-000735-5.

K-Gr 2–Sam loves George Washington, the class hamster, but unwisely decides to sneak him along on the field trip to the science museum. When George is accidentally dropped into the Hamster Habitat, Sam's unique knowledge of the pet helps identify him. Sam is contrite, and his teacher handles the situation with fairness and understanding. Expressive watercolors in muted tones add humor.

KNUDSEN, Michelle. Library Lion. illus. by Kevin Hawkes. Candlewick. 2006. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2262-6.

K-Gr 3–Should the lion who wanders into the library be allowed to stay? Miss Merriweather agrees, if he follows the rules: no running, no roaring. The lion becomes a fixture, dusting the encyclopedias as he waits for storyhour. When he breaks the roaring rule to assist an injured Miss Merriweather, everyone learns a valuable lesson. Expressive watercolors provide a perfect match.

NOBLE, Trinka Hakes. The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash. illus. by Steven Kellogg. Dial. 1980. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-1723-7; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-14-054623-1.

K-Gr 2–A child tells her mother that their class trip to the farm was boring and then relates the comically chaotic events that ensued when Jimmy introduced his pet boa constrictor to the chickens. Kellogg's watercolors grow increasingly frantic as the action builds. Zany fun. Video/DVD and audio versions available from Weston Woods.

SIERRA, Judy. There's a Zoo in Room 22. illus. by Barney Saltzberg. Harcourt/Gulliver. 2000. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-15-202033-0.

K-Gr 4–When students ask for a classroom pet, their teacher suggests 26, one for each letter of the alphabet. They acquire an assortment of animals, from an anaconda to a zorilla, and each is introduced in a brief poem. Delightful chaos ensues, enhanced by appealing pencil-and-watercolor illustrations.

SPIEGELMAN, Art. Open Me…I'm a Dog! illus. by author. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler Bks. 1997. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-027320-0.

K-Gr 4–Don't want a class pet? Consider this alternative. This dog narrator has run afoul of a wizard and been turned into a book. He begs to be treated like the dog he is, walked (he comes with a leash), and petted. Children's imaginations will get a workout as they come to know their “pet.” The fuzzy endpapers and pop-ups belie the sophisticated humor.

ASCH, Frank. Battle in a Bottle. 2003. ISBN 978-0-689-84655-7; ISBN 978-0-689-84654-0.
——. The Ghost of P.S. 42. 2002. ISBN 978-0-689-84653-3; ISBN 978-0-689-84652-6.
——. Survival School. 2003. ISBN 978-0-689-84657-1; ISBN 978-0-689-84656-4. ea. vol: illus. by John Kanzler. (Class Pets Series). S & S. RTE $14.95; pap. $3.99.

Gr 2-4–In Battle, Jake, a mouse, goes in search of material for a nest and must outwit his nemesis, a monster pussycat called Big Gray. Next, he and his sister move into P.S. 42; are befriended by Gino, a ghostly hamster; and meet Big Gray. In Survival, a gerbil joins the mice as they avoid mousetraps and flushing toilets. While the action takes place at night, the role of class pets plays an integral part. As Gino notes, “Sometimes kids don't get much attention at home, but we class pets are always there for them. Sometimes just having someone warm and fuzzy to hold makes all the difference.”

AUCH, Mary Jane. I Was a Third Grade Bodyguard. illus. by Herm Auch. Holiday House. 2003. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1775-9.

Gr 2-4–Because of a science project gone awry, Arful the dog can talk. When his owner brings home a chicken, Arful soon learns that what he thought was a tasty treat is actually a class pet, and he's her intended bodyguard. Tallulah is nothing but trouble, and she and Arful land in hilarious situations. An excellent choice for those new to chapter books.

BIRNEY, Betty G. Friendship According to Humphrey. 2005. ISBN 978-0-399-24264-9; ISBN 978-0-14-240633-5.
——. Trouble According to Humphrey. 2007. ISBN 978-0-399-24505-3 ; ISBN 978-0-14-241089-9.
——. The World According to Humphrey. 2004. ISBN 978-0-399-24198-7; ISBN 978-0-14-240352-5.  ea. vol: Putnam. Tr $14.99; pap. $5.99.

Gr 2-4–Humphrey the hamster takes his job as class pet seriously. An astute observer of human behavior, he helps children and adults solve all sorts of problems. In Friendship, he faces his own jealousy when a frog joins the class. Trouble finds Humphrey wrestling with his conscience when a child is blamed for something he did. In World, he tackles too much TV-watching and helps the teacher's husband deal with depression. Throughout, his comments are witty and profound, making all three books wonderful read-alouds.

GREENE, Stephanie. Owen Foote, Mighty Scientist. illus. by Cat Bowman Smith. Clarion. 2004. Tr $15. ISBN 978-0-618-43016-1.

Gr 2-4–Third-grader Owen hopes to design a winning science-fair project around his pet, an Uromastyx lizard, only to find that his partner and friend is afraid of it. This easy chapter book offers a humorous but perceptive look at accepting differences between friends and the pitfalls of expecting animals to cooperate with experiments.

KLINE, Suzy. Horrible Harry and the Ant Invasion. illus. by Frank Remkiewicz. Viking. 1989. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-670-82469-4; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-14-032914-8.

Gr 2-4–Two stories in this popular series entry focus on class pets. In one, Harry must redeem himself after losing his position as ant-farm monitor because he failed to follow his teacher's instructions. In the second, one of the class fish is the victim of a feud between Harry and a classmate. A good choice for reluctant readers.

SWALLOW, Pamela Curtis. Melvil and Dewey in the Chips. ISBN 978-1-59158-150-5.
——. Melvil and Dewey in the Fast Lane. ISBN 978-1-59158-151-2. ea. vol: illus. by Judith Schroeder. Libraries Unlimited. 2004. pap. $12.

Gr 2-4–Melvil and Dewey are elementary school library gerbils. While cautious Melvil is content to listen to stories, curious Dewey longs to explore. In Chips, their adventures begin when Dewey finds a way to escape and persuades Melvil to come along. In Fast Lane, when the librarian allows children to borrow the gerbils for the weekend, the pets receive full treatment at the Tina Marie Beauty Shop and almost become a snake's snack. Sure to generate discussion about how pets should NOT be treated.

ALLEN, Judy. Are You a Butterfly? illus. by Tudor Humphries. (Backyard Bks.). Kingfisher. 2000. Tr $9.95. ISBN 978-0-7534-5240-0; pap. $5.95. ISBN 978-0-7534-5608-8.

K-Gr 2–Very simple text, with no more than four sentences per page, conveys a wealth of information about the life cycle of a butterfly. Children are encouraged to imagine themselves as butterflies and are instructed how to eat leaves, shed their skins, and make a chrysalis. Large, colorful illustrations are perfect for group sharing.

BARNES, Julia. 101 Facts about Terrarium Pets. (101 Facts about Pets Series). Gareth Stevens. 2002. PLB $23.93. ISBN 978-0-8368-3021-7.

Gr 2-4–The primary purpose here is to provide enough information about the care required by terrarium reptiles, amphibians, and tarantulas to help readers decide if the animals are appropriate pets for their situation. Each numbered fact is accompanied by a clear, color photograph.

BINNS, Tristan Boyer. Hermit Crabs. (Keeping Unusual Pets Series). Heinemann. 2004. PLB $22.80. ISBN 978-1-4034-0825-9.

Gr 2-4–The author begins with basic facts and information about hermit crabs, then outlines how to choose and care for one. The emphasis is on being a responsible pet owner and providing the best “crabitat” possible to keep the animals happy and healthy. An attractive, well-organized guide with full-color photos.

JEFFREY, Laura S. Birds: How to Choose and Care for a Bird. (American Humane Pet Care Library Series). Enslow. 2004. PLB $23.93. ISBN 978-0-7660-2515-8.

Gr 2-4–Easy-to-read, well-organized information on the history of birds as pets, as well as how to choose and care for a pet bird, is presented here. The emphasis is on preventing problems, including annual visits to an avian veterinarian. Brilliant full-color photographs enhance appeal.

LEEDY, Loreen. It's Probably Penny. 2007. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-7389-8.
——. Mapping Penny's World. 2000. Tr $17. ISBN 978-0-8050-6178-9; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-7262-4.
——. Measuring Penny. 1997. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-5360-9; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-6572-5. ea. vol: illus. by author. Holt.

Gr 2-4–In each of these titles, Lisa applies math skills (probability, mapping, measurement) with the help of her dog, Penny. All three employ a successful mix of concept and story and provide a way for children to see skills learned in school in direct relation to their pets. Colorful, computer-generated art helps explain mathematical applications and adds to the fun.

MURPHY, Stuart J. Room for Ripley. illus. by Sylvie Wickstrom. HarperCollins. 1999. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-06-027620-1; PLB $15.89. ISBN 978-0-06-027621-8; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-446724-7.

K-Gr 2–Carlos wants a fish, but first he must prepare the bowl. He adds water in one-cup increments until there is a gallon and “room for Ripley.” The concept of measurement is clearly illustrated in a pyramid format, making the book useful for both a math lesson and a class planning on acquiring a fish as a pet.

MICUCCI, Charles. The Life and Times of the Ant. illus. by author. Houghton. 2003. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-618-00559-8; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-618-68949-1.

Gr 2-4–Considering an ant farm? Share this fascinating book with students first. Micucci covers everything ant: their history, physical characteristics, life cycle, and behavior. The illustrations are a mix of realistic drawings and the ant anthropomorphized, adding both interest and humor.

PAGE, Gill. I Am Your Hamster. Waterbird. 2000. pap. $5.95. ISBN 978-0-7696-3389-3.

K-Gr 4–“Hello, I am your friend.” So begins this informative guide to hamster care told by a Golden Hamster. Accompanied by clear color photos on each page, the animal describes in detail what he needs to be both physically and emotionally secure. Teachers will appreciate the section on “How to write a report on your pet.”

ROCKWELL, Anne. My Pet Hamster. illus. by Bernice Lum. (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science Series). HarperCollins. 2002. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-06-028564-7; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-028565-4; pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-06-445205-2.

K-Gr 2–Although the writing style here is extremely simple, Rockwell does not skimp on information. Short sentences and child-like illustrations convey basic information not only about hamster behavior and proper hamster care, but also about the differences between wild and domestic animals.