Why It's Not a Good Idea to Have a Polar Bear for a Pet

If your child loves animals, has ever asked, "Can I have a pet?", or has ever had to do a school report on an animal, the Orion Township Public Library has a new book that you need to check out. The Pet Project: Cute and Cuddly Vicious Verses written by Lisa Wheeler and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora begins with this ominous verse:

Warning!
If you’re the type who oohs and ahhs
at furry faces, precious paws,
the words ahead may be alarming:
Animals aren’t always charming.

In this book, when a little girl asks her parents for a pet, they suggest she do some research first to figure out which pet is best for her. Careful observation of the animals shows that some of those cute critters aren't always fun to have in your house, and may show your child why you said no to a pony or bunny.

For example, if you’ve got child who’s interested in monkeys, share this gem:

Monkey
He looks so like a little man
     with smiling teeth and grasping hand.
He chatters to his monkey friends,
     but that is where the likeness ends.
His hair is full of bugs and lice.
     He flings his poo – His aim’s precise.
His scream sounds like a banshee’s wail.
     He swings from his prehensile tail.
And worst of all he smells so funky.
     If he’s a man, then I’m a monkey!

After your kids calm down from giggling over poo-flinging, the research-sparking discussion can begin. Do monkeys really fling poo? What does prehensile mean? Do monkeys really smell funky? Time to come to the Orion Library and hit the informational non-fiction books for a fact-finding expedition! I love that Wheeler never dumbs down her vocabulary (you’ll find query, devise, and formulate all in the second poem). If your child's teacher has ever assigned animal reports, this would make an ideal end-of-the-year teacher gift. If your house is full of pets or if all the animals your child has are stuffed, you'll want to cuddle up with your kids to enjoy The Pet Project.

For more information on the author, please visit: lisawheelerbooks.com.
For more information on the illustrator, please visit: zohora.com.
For more book recommendations and activities, please visit: kristenremenar.com.