A beautifully illustrated and unexpectedly hilarious book with a surprise ending.
Feature image credit: Allen & Unwin
Author Ali Rutstein and illustrator Tommy Doyle have combined their talents to create a fabulously engaging picture book for young children which can be shared with their whole family. Everyone will be talking and giggling about this story a long time after turning the final page.
The Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet is about a young girl who is writing a book on what pet is the best one to choose for your family. Luckily for the reader, she turns our normal idea of a perfect pet on its head as we discover those animals which we would usually choose are really not very suitable for a variety of reasons. She dismisses those animals and suggests animals which we would not traditionally even consider!
Why not choose a crocodile? “They are quiet, peaceful creatures, with cheerful, happy-go-lucky personalities.”
Way better than a guinea pig who just “hangs out in gangs, making sinister squeaking noises …”
It is the illustrations that really bring this story to life: They are colourful and detailed, and contain facial expressions that will make the reader laugh out loud. The looks on the faces of all the animals are priceless.
The Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet is perfect for any age. The whole family will love the tongue-in-cheek humour and enjoy the surprise ending. It could be very popular in a classroom setting. Children could suggest their own perfect pet, and think up good reasons for their choices. Perfect to use with all ages when teaching persuasive texts. A class book could then be collated based on this story.
A fabulous front cover showing our “author” hugging a not quite so friendly polar bear sets the reader up for what is to come.
A perfect gift for all young people and those who are young at heart, The Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet may just help your family choose the perfect pet!
Reviewed by Sue Mauger
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Allen & Unwin
Released: October 2024
RRP: $19.99
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