Welcome to book week! For the week I am going to share some of our favorite children's books. I'm always looking for interesting books for my kids, so I hope to find some new ones from the others participating, and perhaps one of our favorites will become yours.
The Best Pet of All by David LaRochelle and Hanako Wakiyama is our favorite book (of all). The book doesn't seem to be well known and I'm not sure why because the illustrations and story are great. It's hard to find a book that has a good story and illustrations.
The story is told with retro illustrations about a boy who wants a dog, but his mother says no every time he asks. One day he asks if he can have a dragon for a pet and she tells him that if he can find one, then he can keep it for a pet. He finds a dragon that is not the best house guest...
...he eats spaghetti in the bathtub. The mom is frustrated because the dragon won't leave, so the little boy tells her that dragons are afraid of dogs. The boy gets a dog and the dragon leaves, everyone is happy. After the fifth time reading this book, I finally figured out that the boy and the dragon were working together to help him get a dog. Nothing is said, but at the end the little boy is giving the dragon a thumbs up. My kids love this story and can relate to wanting a dog. They love parts when the dragon is making a mess or eating in the bathtub. Nothing scary or too weird, just a nice book.
If you are interested in participating, please leave a comment and I will add you to the list. Join in at any time during the week. If I forgot to add your name, please let me know.
How we should enjoy Fall - put the rake down and soak in the color...
Oh that looks like a good one. I haven't heard of it, even in my teaching days!
I'll get my post up tonight! Thanks for coming up with good ideas that get my butt blogging!
:) Now if I could just find time to read more books for ME!
Posted by: Paper Dolls for Boys | November 10, 2008 at 09:38 AM
This book reminds me of The Dragon of an Ordinary Family, by Margaret Mahy, illus by Helen Oxenbury. A British mother tells a British father he is an old fuddy duddy, so he shows her he most certainly is not a fuddy duddy by stopping off at the pet store and buying a pet dragon for their son. Much fun ensues as the dragon gets bigger and bigger, and the ending has a fun surprise twist.
I didn't sign up for Book Week because I wasn't sure what it entailed, but now that I know, next time I will! I did blog ABC books on my blog in September, and I have a couple other book reviews (mostly for kids) sprinkled throughout.
Posted by: Tracy | November 10, 2008 at 12:47 PM
This reminds me of the 'advice' that if you want a hamster start by asking for a horse!
Posted by: Tilly | November 10, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I have already emailed my mother in law to bring our library's copy home for us!!
(trying to get it together to join in, I"ll email you if I manage!)
Posted by: brit | November 10, 2008 at 05:16 PM
i'm going to the library tomorrow to check this book out.
i love that the mom is working out in her denim skinny capris. maybe that's my problem, or my non-flat stomach's problem....
Posted by: sarah | November 10, 2008 at 10:08 PM
that book looks SO familiar. I think we may have had it on loan from the library at one time...but may have gotten the spanish version (happens ALOT with my 2yo!) Will have to seek it out in english!
Posted by: melissa s. | November 10, 2008 at 11:44 PM
That sounds like a wonderful book!
I'd love to join your book week :)
Posted by: Hege | November 11, 2008 at 09:21 AM
so many great new books to explore! thank you so much for this!
Posted by: Lori | November 16, 2008 at 11:25 AM
The Best Pet of All--how have I missed it?? It looks just adorable!
Posted by: dianeinjapan | November 17, 2008 at 01:22 AM