CM Magazine: One More Pet.

________________ CM . . . . Volume IX Number 1 . . . . September 6, 2002

cover One More Pet.
Eugenie Fernandes.
Markham, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2002.
32 pp., pbk., $7.99.
ISBN 0-439-98778-4.
Subject Heading:
Pets-Juvenile fiction.

Kindergarten-grade-2 / Ages 5-7.

Review by Catherine Hoyt.

**** /4

excerpt:

Some people said it was absurd
to keep a noisy baby bird,
a snake, a dog, a duck, a rat,
a rabbit, a frog, and a little cat.
But Emily kept them anyway
and she was happy. Then one day...

Emily's pet menagerie all begins with one little skinny cat. Throughout the summer, Emily continues steadily to add to her list of pets. In a stream, Emily finds a pollywog that quickly turns into a frog. In the rain, Emily finds a rabbit. Then Emily's friend gives her a white rat. A stroll at the shore results in a little yellow duckling. A trip to the shelter yields a very spotted little dog. The investigation of a bush turns up a small green grass snake. A walk through the woods leaves Emily with a baby bird. Although Emily's mother occasionally cautions her daughter, she does not turn any of the strays away. Then one day, Emily helps a sick farmer with all of his chores, and he gives her a terrific thank-you gift! But, Emily's mother finally draws the line at a pet horse. Emily understands though. After all, there simply is not room with all the other animals living in Emily's bedroom. So Emily returns the horse, but she does accept the farmer's next gift. Readers will have fun guessing what pet may come from Emily's giant egg!

Seasoned writer/illustrator Eugenie Fernandes has done it again with this delightful tale. One More Pet will bring a smile to the faces of readers young and old. The quick rhyming text speeds the reader through the story. The storyline is cumulative, and children will be anxious to see what Emily's next new pet will be. The charming illustrations are done beautifully in gouache on Arches paper. There are lots of details in Emily's colourful collection of animal friends. Most of Emily's pets will look familiar to my own mother because my siblings were always bringing home injured and found animals. I grew up with all of Emily's pets and then some. One More Pet will be under the Christmas trees of many of my family members this holiday season.

This is a perfect read aloud choice. One More Pet will be a great gift for animal lovers young and old and is a recommended addition to school and public library collections.

Highly Recommended.

As the result of an exciting move Catherine Hoyt is now the Reference Librarian at the Nunavut Legislative Library in Iqaluit, Nunavut. However, she enjoys volunteering at the local public library in the newest capital in Canada.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

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