A Pet Named Sneaker

This beginning reader (Heilbroner's first since Robert the Rose Horse in 1962) tells the story of Sneaker, a snake who lives in a fine pet shop but who really wants a home. He suffers considerable rejection until one day a boy named Pete chooses to take Sneaker home. Slightly reminiscent of Tomi Ungerer's Crictor, Sneaker is not only good for playing new games like "I Am a Necktie," "I Am a Hat," and "I Am Handcuffs" but is also incredibly smart and heroic. Cartoon art in bright oranges, blues, and greens with plenty of white space has a retro feel with modern sensibilities. The pictures provide clues to comprehending the text while also adding great characterization and fun. Sneaker learns to read, earning him a spot at school, and saves a life, resulting in a special pass to the otherwise "no pets" public pool. The final wordless spread eloquently shows how far Sneaker has come from his small fishbowl at the pet shop. julie roach