A Potpourri of Pets

Joy Fleishhacker, Curriculum Connections -- School Library Journal, 6/12/2008

Kids love pets and these engaging, eye-grabbing titles about household critters are sure bets for elementary classroom use and summer reading fun. In addition to showcasing endearing animal characters, these satisfying tales explore fundamental themes of affection, friendship, responsibility, and one’s place in the world.

The Pick of the Litter

At some point in their childhood, most youngsters beg their parents for a four-legged addition to the family. When Jack’s mother finally acquiesces to his pleas and asks What Pet to Get? (Scholastic, 2008), the inventive boy thinks big—an elephant, a lion, a T. Rex—but finally settles for “a lovely little puppy!” (a description humorously belied by the fold-out illustration). Emma Dodd’s deadpan text and bold-as-brass artwork will inaugurate conversation about pet possibilities and responsibilities. In Oh, Theodore! Guinea Pig Poems (Clarion, 2007), another novice pet possessor details the transformation of his new charge from shy stranger to contented companion. Susan Katz’s vivid verses and Stacey Schuett’s vibrant illustrations detail this flourishing friendship.

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs

Feline fanciers will “ooh and aah” over the various breeds, personalities, and pursuits of the pampered pets portrayed in I Love Cats (HarperCollins, 2007). Conveying the essence of these independent-minded animals, Sue Stainton’s staccato rhymes and Anne Mortimer’s playful artwork make a “purr”-fect choice for sharing aloud or bolstering beginning readers.

Someone left the window open and Cat Jumped In! (Clarion, 2007) making messes throughout the house and causing his aggravated owner to repeatedly relocate him outside, until he sends her a love note—a heart painted with paw prints—and earns himself a cuddle. Tess Weaver’s perfectly paced narrative is illustrated with Emily Arnold McCully’s warmhearted watercolors. In another look at the complexities of cat-human camaraderie, a young narrator introduces her spunky, sometimes fussy, and always loving feline. When Gorilla Goes Walking (Scholastic, 2007) pairs Nikki Grimes’s enchanting poems with Shane Evans’s fluid, funny artwork.

In Stella, Unleashed: Notes from the Doghouse (Sterling, 2008), an opinionated pooch describes her adoption and the care and training of her new family. Linda Ashman’s pleasing poems and Paul Meisel’s color-saturated artwork present a dead-on dog’s-eye viewpoint. In another winning poetry collection, handsome spreads pair the portraits and thoughts of 16 self-possessed pooches—from chow to Chihuahua to mutt—proving that every dog is a Good Dog (Knopf, 2005). Maya Gottfried’s verses and Robert Rahway Zakanitch’s paintings percolate with personality.

With characteristic canine exuberance, Ivan the Terrier (S & S, 2007) bursts into Peter Catalanotto’s retellings of traditional tales and takes over the action, chasing off the billy goats Gruff, startling the three bears, and even gulping down the gingerbread boy. Use this robustly illustrated, raucous read-aloud to introduce fractured fairy tales.

Making Paw Prints: Journeys Real and Imaginary

Mona Kerby tells the true tale of Owney the Mail-Pouch Pooch (Farrar, 2008), a scrawny stray adopted by post office employees in Albany, NY, in 1888, who traveled the country by train—and even cruised the globe—as the self-appointed protector of the U.S. mail. Delightfully illustrated by Lynne Barasch, this remarkable story can tie into lessons on history, geography, and communication.

Another unwanted pooch, dumped by the roadside, follows her nose and falls in with a gang of homeless hounds, jumps a train with a kindly hobo, and finally finds a place to call home. With humor, heart-tugging emotion, and masterful mixed-media illustrations, Melissa Sweet’s Tupelo Rides the Rails (Houghton, 2008) will make dog lovers sit up and beg for more.

In Henry the Dog with No Tail (S&S, 2007), an Australian shepherd goes in search of the one thing he believes to be missing from his life. Comically bolstered by Jules Feiffer’s loose-lined cartoons, Kate Feiffer’s droll narrative, witty wordplay, and outlandish plot twists relate a rewarding journey of self-discovery.

Embarking on a flight of fancy, a young narrator muses about the details of her pet’s secret life, all of which will be revealed Someday When My Cat Can Talk (Random, 2008). Caroline Lazo’s rhyming text and Kyrsten Brooker’s rich-toned collage artwork depict whimsical adventures—including a jaunt through Europe—with descriptive imagery, making this a natural bon voyage point for creative writing.

Creature-Feature Chapter Books

Filled with all manner of pets, these longer stories are great for classroom sharing and independent readers. In Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express (Candlewick, 2008), the irrepressible title character sets off on a mission to find homes for 101 cuddly critters. Megan McDonald’s lighthearted early chapter book is sprinkled with factual tidbits and Peter H. Reynolds’s amusing cartoons. Teachers can find reproducible activities at www.stinkmoody.com.

Blending realistic situations with loads of laughs, two quick-reading titles by Anne Whitehead Nagda feature the same cast of likable characters, charmingly depicted in Stephanie Roth’s drawings. When her friend Rana’s family goes to India, Susan promises to look after their pets, but soon discovers that being The Perfect Cat-Sitter is harder than it seems. In Tarantula Power! (both Holiday House, 2007), Richard witnesses a mean student picking on a younger boy and takes a cue from the class pet, a “small but very brave” spider, to help his new friend confront the bully.

Looking for more tales about classroom pets? Betty G. Birney’s Surprises According to Humphrey (Putnam, 2008), the fourth in a series, relates the adventures of a sweet-natured hamster who tirelessly tries to help his fellow students resolve their problems. Sparkling with humor and compassion, Humphrey’s lively first-person narrative will entrance readers and encourage discussion about empathy.

From the commonplace (dogs and cats) to the curious (pygmy mice, hedgehogs, and even a rare white-capped bulbul), Ann Hodgman recounts her experiences with a wide spectrum of species in The House of a Million Pets (Holt, 2007). Embellished with Eugene Yelchin’s amiable sketches, this funny, poignant, and informative memoir is wonderful for dipping into or consuming cover to cover.

Pet Particulars

Pet enthusiasts interested in learning more about their animal companions will relish the elucidating details and dazzling cut-paper collages in Steve Jenkins’s Dogs and Cats (Houghton, 2007), a flip-it-over volume that discusses the evolution, behavior, and physical characteristics of each species. Overflowing with colorful photos and fun facts, Kristin Mehus-Roe’s Dogs for Kids (Bowtie, 2007) covers all things canine, including physical traits, breeds, care and training, and tail-wagging games.

The “Great Pets” series (Marshall Cavendish, 2007) sums up the basics of owning and caretaking Rabbits (Ruth Bjorklund), Freshwater Fishes (Marjorie L. Buckmaster), Turtles (Johannah Haney), Big Dogs, and Cats (Joyce Hart). The charismatic full-color photos and easy-reading texts will appeal to anyone curious about these critters.

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