Funny Little Dog Scruffy Old Cat

Gr 2—4—The protagonists of these books are kids who very much want a pet. However, instead of the fierce guard dog Flyn wants, Pop Hooper's Pet Express delivers a timid little lapdog. In Scruffy Old Cat, Lily wants a perfectly tidy, white kitten to match her perfectly tidy room and life. Instead, Pop Hooper gives her a smelly, scruffy, silly cat. He instructs the kids to care for these animals and return in the morning for the pets they had in mind. Caring for a timid dog builds confidence in Flyn, and the cat teaches Lily to loosen up and get dirty once in a while. By morning, both kids are deeply attached to their animals and are heartbroken to return them. Of course when they arrive, Pop Hooper is long gone and the kids live happily ever after with their pets. Black-and-white cartoons appear throughout. Kids who like animal stories will enjoy these warm, somewhat predictable easy chapter books, and teachers looking for character-building stories will appreciate them.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK