Children's Literature @ NYPL

Booktalking "Children Make Terrible Pets" by Peter Brown

A bear in a tutu tries to have a pet boy she named Squeaker, and all mayhem breaks loose. This all came to fruition when Lucy the bear noticed a kid hiding behind some shrubs in the woods, and she decided to make him her pet. Her mother advised against it and took no responsibility for the boy, but Lucille Bear insisted. Bear and boy played, ate and slept together and everything seemed hunky dory until...

Squeaker started doing all of the things that pets do that drive people crazy. He ruined the furniture, made scenes when the bear family was in public, and eventually ran away. Lucy followed the boy's scent through the woods until she discovered him with his family, who all squeaked, outside of their house. Lucy felt dejected and sad...but maybe she will find another pet.

Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown, 2010

I love the natural creams, browns and greens in the illustrations. The bear is in a tutu holding a less-than-thrilled boy on the front cover. On the back cover, Lucy is in a kangaroo outfit with the boy in the pouch, hopping joyfully about. On the title page, the bear is singing joyfully while the boy is hiding behind some shrubs. Peter Brown even illustrated himself on the inside of the back cover!

I love the sheer ridiculousness and truth to this tale about pets and kids. This is the funniest book ever!