Two new picture books that are receiving rave reviews are both centered on pets: The Stray Dog by Marc Simont, HarperCollins, and Five Creatures by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Tomak Bogacki, FSG. A “pet” themed storytime will be a winner, even if the children don’t have pets. Craft ideas are abundant: a simple cat mask made from a paper plate, or a dog paperbag puppet. Because so many people have pet allergies, it may be best to leave the pets at home – unless you have a goldfish.

• THE STRAY DOG by Marc Simont.
  In this simple but heart-felt story, a brother and sister want to take home the stray they have found in the park. The exuberant illustrations and short text work even for toddler-time.
• FIVE CREATURES by Emily Jenkins.
  A girl describes the five who live in the house: two parents, one daughter, two cats. Teachers can use this engaging story to demonstrate Venn diagrams.
• ARTHUR’S NEW PUPPY by Marc Brown.
  The usual problems with a new puppy – paper training, tearing things up – all with Arthur’s usual creative problem-solving.
• JULIUS by Angela Johnson.
  Maya has a pet pig named Julius. With colorful cartoon illustrations by Dav Pilkey.
• PET SHOW! By Ezra Jack Keats.
  Archie can’t find his cat to bring to the neighborhood pet show, so he thinks of a creative alternative.
• BE GENTLE! By Virginia Miller.
  Bartholomew Bear gets a kitten, so his mother reminds him to “Be Gentle!” Brief and funny – this will also work for toddler-time.
• THE GREAT PET SALE by Mick Inkpen.
  A boy cannot decide which pet to buy when the pet store has a sale.
• TEN DOGS IN THE WINDOW by Claire Masurel.
  A fun counting story showing how dogs resemble their owners.
• PETS! By Melrose Cooper.
  With engaging illustrations by Yumi Heo, this book debates “Which pet is best?”
• FISH OUT OF WATER by Helen Palmer.
  A classic! When a boy over-feeds his goldfish, it grows so much he needs to find a bigger place for it to live.

Penny Peck,
San Leandro Public Library

June, 2001