Melissa's octopus and other unsuitable pets

Title:

Author:

Summary:

"There are certain animals that make suitable pets, like a cat, a dog or a guinea pig. Then there are other animals that definitely make unsuitable pets, like an octopus, a warthog or an elephant. They are much too large, too messy and, well, just a tad free-spirited. They also have a tendency to break things ... like floors, ceilings and tables. But can you guess what makes the most unsuitable pet ever? Here's a clue ... he has a long, scaly green tail and very sharp teeth"-- Publisher's website.

Edition:

First U.S. edition.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 23 x 29 cm

Genre:

Picture books.

Subject Term:

Pets -- Juvenile fiction.

Publisher:

Candlewick Press,

Publication Date:

2015

2014

ISBN:

9780763674816

Publication Information:

Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2015.

2014

Call Number:

P VOAKE

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode

33607003299289

Collection

Picture Books

Call Number

VOAKE

Status

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Item Holds

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Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Melissa, Thomas, Betty, and Arthur have one thing in common: extremely unsuitable pets! An exuberant book packed with visual humor.

There are certain animals that make suitable pets, like a cat, a dog, or a guinea pig. Then there are others that make, well, unusual pets, like an octopus, a warthog, or an elephant. They're too large, too messy, and maybe a tad too free-spirited with a tendency to break things like tables, floors, and even ceilings. But can you guess what makes the most unsuitable pet ever ?

Author Notes

Charlotte Voake is an author and illustrator of children's books.

Voake received the 1997 Picture Book Blue Ribbon from the Bulletin Center for Children's Books for Ginger, a book about a cat's dislike towards the new kitten addition to the family. She has also written Mr. Davies and the Baby and Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-Children frequently ask for pets that most parents would deem unacceptable, but what might happen if these improper pets really found homes? Such is premise of Voake's tongue-in-cheek offering. Melissa's octopus is a "splendid creature," but a very messy bather. And Arthur's warthog is a "beautiful animal," though his table manners leave much to be desired. The dynamic watercolor and ink illustrations complement the text nicely, with the animals acting out and the children adoring them just the same. The twist ending will leave children giggling and prove that a crocodile may be the most unsuitable pet of all. VERDICT This humorous title will work well for sharing with early elementary students as well as preschoolers.-Martha Link Yesowitch, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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