Trees Make Perfect Pets

by Paul Czajak, Cathy Gendron (Illustrator)

Overview

An endearing and environmentally friendly story about a girl's unlikely best friend...a tree!

Abigail is determined to get the perfect pet. So she chooses Fido. He keeps her cool from the sun, stays where she tells him, and even gives her air to breathe. That's because Fido is a tree! But not everyone thinks having a tree as a pet is a good idea, especially when Fido starts to grow. Will Abigail be able to keep her perfect pet?

Popular for Earth Day and beyond, Trees Make Perfect Pets empowers kids to think independently, sparks early environmental awareness, and delivers a clever, comforting storytime experience. Whether you're a parent nurturing green values, a teacher looking for a nature-themed read-aloud for your classroom, or a gift-giver in search of something refreshingly original, Trees Make Perfect Pets is a standout choice. 

For fans of The Giving Tree, Sophie's Squash, and Miss Rumphius—with a new twist that kids find "absolutely delightful" (Goodreads).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492664734
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	03/03/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD470L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Paul Czajak lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. He is the author of the popular, award winning Monster & Me series. You can visit him at paulczajak.com

Cathy Gendron graduated with a degree in Fine Arts and a serious need to draw. She lives and works in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A teacher for almost 30 years at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, her work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers. Visit her at cathygendron.com

Editorial Reviews

"Takes tree-hugging—and standing up for yourself—to a new level." — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2019-12-08
When a young girl chooses a tree as a pet, she won't be dissuaded or discouraged by people's comments.

And there are many, starting with her family members when Abigail makes her wish for a pet tree known before blowing out her seven birthday candles. But she neutralizes them all with clever counterarguments. At a nursery, Abigail chooses "Fido," a dogwood in a gray pot, and the two are inseparable. Socks adorn the tree's branches on laundry day, and during a tea party, she reads aloud to her stuffed animals, one of them perched in Fido's crook. Abigail even takes Fido on long walks (in a wagon), which garners them more looks and comments and questions. Unflappable Abigail fields them all. But what she can't counter is the fact that Fido is growing, shown gradually in Gendron's detailed illustrations. The only thing to do is plant Fido in the yard, but Abigail can't leave her best friend…until, after a night spent in his branches, she realizes that Fido won't be lonely with all the new friends he's made outdoors. It's refreshing to see a child stand up for her choice in positive ways, especially since most readers are likely to think that choice an odd one. Abigail and her family have light brown skin; the few other humans are diverse.

Takes tree-hugging—and standing up for yourself—to a new level. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews