Children Make Terrible Pets
Alethea Allarey
Written and Illustrated by Peter Brown
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010
2013-2014 Nominee - Primary
Synopsis
Almost every child has found a lost puppy or kitten that they want to keep. It is no different for Lucille Beatrice Bear, except she finds a little boy and all the fun begins. With the tables turned, all of the humor comes out as we see how Mama Bear and Lucy deal with Squeaker, the child.
Questions are raised and feelings explored as reality comes home. As the situation evolves, it then becomes a challenge of what to do. Then, everything is taken out of their hands.
Meet the Author
It began with a love of drawing and sharing stories through pictures. After discovering a love for the written word in high school, the perfect conditions were created for the start of Peter Brown’s career as an author and illustrator. His fanciful characters and ideas were a springboard to some of his educational choices. He earned his B.F.A. in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design, located in Pasadena, California. While Primary 2013-2014 California Young Reader Medal Resource Guide there, he took a number of courses to expand his horizons and knowledge of children’s literature. His first children’s book was Flight of the Dodo (2003), which he wrote and illustrated. The marriage of illustration and writing is exemplified in an interview with www.designmom.com where he shared, “I say as much as possible with my paintings, and whatever I can’t say with the art I say with words. My stories don’t have many words, but it takes me a long time to think up the words that I use.” This has taken him far in a relatively short career. Awards he has garnered for his work include: 2010 E.B. White winner, The Children’s Choice Award winner, and a Caldecott Honor winner in 2013. To get an even better glimpse of this author and how he approaches his love of pictures and words as he develops an idea, watch his trailer for Creepy Carrots (below). The character he enjoys the most is Lucille Beatrice Bear as indicated in his interview with www.designmom.com. Seeing Lucille in action gives insight regarding Peter; now, only you can decide what that insight may be.
Connections
Pets
The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini (2009)
The Pet Dragon: A Story about Adventure, Friendship, and Chinese Characters by: Christoph Niemann (2008) This book adds fun, a story, and a cultural introduction to China into the experience.
I Want a Pet by: Lauren Child (2011) This story works through some of the concerns of the selection process. It includes cliché objections by different family members.
Please, Puppy, Please by Spike Lee (2005).
Don’t Take Your Snake for a Stroll by Karin Ireland (2003).
Should We Have Pets? by Sylvia Lollis (2002) a class of second graders present arguments for and against having a pet.
For the Teacher
A Quick Guide to Teaching Persuasive Writing, K-2 (Workshop Help Desk) by Sarah Picard Taylor (2008)
Rhythm Bears by Groove Kid Nation (Great for using with Common Core) Rhythm of Life -- The Why Song -- Teddy Bear's Picnic -- I Can -- I Do But I Don't -- Little Bear Interlude -- Kalimba -- The Train Song -- Say & Play -- Virtue of the Small -- This Old Bear.
Responsibility
Roger and His Toys: A Story About Personal Responsibility by Tricia-Maria Hovell (2007)
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Do I Have To?: Kids Talk about Responsibility by Nancy Loewen and illustrated by Brandon Reibeling
Arthur's Pet Business by Marc Brown (1993)
Bears
Jasper's Story: Saving Moon Bears by Jill Robinson and Marc Bekoff, illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen (2013)
Polar Bears by Tamra B. Orr (2013)
Growing up Wild: Bears by: Sandra Markle
More connections
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt retold by Michael Rosen (2003). Great for story time, or fun actions while sharing the story.
HOOKS
- How many of you have ever found a puppy or a kitten and rushed home to tell your family? Did you want to keep it? Imagine if you were out in the woods and a big bear found you and took you home to ask the mama bear if she could keep YOU!!!
- What kind of a pet do you think a bear cub would like? Why?
- What pet would you ask your parents for if you had the chance?
- What would a bear try to feed you if you were its pet?
- Would you like to be a pet?
For more information, please check the 2013-2014 Resource Guide - Primary.