Guinea Pigs

November 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-These bright, slight, upbeat introductions to pet ownership are designed for early readers. Basic information is shared through a collection of vignettes. The text, never more than four brief sentences per spread, always gives a name to the pet in the photo and the child, who may not always be shown. The vocabulary is simple but doesn't avoid technical terms such as cuttlebone or nocturnal. This clever personalization of the carefully chosen stock photos adds interest. "Ideas for Parents and Teachers" on the verso page offers before, during, and after reading tips. The concluding page "What Does a ____ Need?" covers the basic pet ownership supplies with brightly labeled photos. The close-up cover images, silhouetted against white and banded in a bright color, will draw animal lovers in. Great selections to round out your pet collection.

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2014
Preschool-G Using an early reader format, these entries in the My First Pet series introduce young children to basic care of common pets. Extreme cuteness with large color photos of animals and their diverse kid owners in action (highlighted by vibrant frames and occasional labels) drives the appeal. The simple, fun text encourages independent reading. Guinea Pigs emphasizes that these pets do not like to live alone. Following a mate found for lonely Honey, the book depicts their specialized care, from food pellets and hiding places to grooming and cleaning their cages. A concluding visual sums up each animal's care regiment. An attractive series to explore before or after Mom, can I keep it? (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)