Petlandia

Gr 2–5—The Finkleblurts have a new pet pup, Grub, and their cat, Madame Wigglesworth, is not amused. As irritated as Madame Wigglesworth is with Grub, she "hates" the humans "ten times more." She plots revenge and unites the family's pets establishing a new country: Petlandia. She writes a Petlandia Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and a national anthem. She would like to serve as queen, but establishes the country as a democracy where the pets will vote for their new president. Madame Wigglesworth can't believe it when Grub is voted to be Petlandia's president. Now Madame Wigglesworth has a bigger problem: How can she become the next Petlandia president? Cat and dog owners will see their own pets in the stereotypical personalities of Grub and Wigglesworth. The story is silly, goofy, and altogether a riot, but there are genuine lessons to be learned about getting along with others and the the qualities of an excellent leader embedded amid the wackadoodle plot. The story might even prompt a discussion about bullying behavior.