Children Make Terrible Pets

by Peter Brown Narrated by Emily Eiden

Overview

Lucy, a young bear, meets a charming little boy in the forest. When she brings him home, her mother cautions her "children make terrible pets." Can Lucy prove her mother wrong?

Editorial Reviews

Lisa Von Drasek

Joyfully animated illustrations depict Lucy in a pink tutu and Squeaker as a typical boy in a striped shirt and sneakers. The way each page is framed in a faux wood finish gives the pictures the look of a vintage television console.
—The New York Times

From the Publisher

"Joyfully animated illustrations"
—The New York Times Book Review

Kirkus Reviews

Lucy, a tutu-clad bear child, begs her mother to allow her to keep a small boy she finds in the forest. Despite the titular misgivings, Mom relents, and Lucy and Squeaker (all he ever says is "squeak") play happily together for a time before—surprise!—problems emerge. Squeaker is "impossible to potty train" (he glowers from the litter box), ruins the furniture by jumping and tearing it apart, throws food at tea parties and then disappears altogether. Heartbroken, Lucy searches for him, and when she finally finds him with his human family, rightly decides to leave him there, concluding, "I guess some critters just aren't meant to be pets." The art, with narration in green text boxes and conversations in pink speech balloons, was created with pencil, construction paper, wood and computer. Squeaker, perhaps intentionally, is undeveloped and unconvincing, but the blocky bears are appealing. The story lacks depth and subtlety, although young children may find the role reversal hilarious, and the catchy title and '50s nouveau art provide a soupçon of charm. (Picture book. 4-7)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171760977
Publisher:	Weston Woods
Publication date:	01/01/2011
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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