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The Best Pet of All by [David LaRochelle, Hanako Wakiyama]

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David LaRochelle
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The Best Pet of All Kindle Edition

by David LaRochelle (Author), Hanako Wakiyama (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 93 ratings
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 5 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - Kindergarten
  5. Publisher
    Dutton Books for Young Readers
  6. Publication date
    June 3, 2004
  7. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  10. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0525471295
  12. See all details
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Gift for everyone

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–A young boy is desperate to have a dog. When his mother meets his repeated requests with firmer and firmer refusals, he modulates his demand and asks for a pet dragon instead. Thinking she is safe, she agrees that if he can find one, he can keep it. Unfortunately for Mom, he eventually manages to locate one, but the creature is disruptive and untidy. It won't clean up after itself, eats spaghetti in the bathtub, and roasts hot dogs (with its own breath) in the living room. When the youngster points out to his mother that dragons are scared of dogs, she finally agrees to get one. Domestic happiness is restored and the unwanted beast slinks off. LaRochelle captures the essence of the relationship between mother and son with dry humor and laconic text. The child's unfailing optimism triumphs over practical realities and his mother's initial opposition. The simplicity of the language is ideal for beginning readers, while the subtext keeps everyone amused. Wakiyama's nostalgic gouache illustrations evoke the 1950s. Dressed in capris, Mom irons print tablecloths and does dishes by hand. The appliances and decor are of the period, and the dragon is found in an old-fashioned drugstore. The bright, witty artwork complements the story to perfection.–Jane Barrer, Washington Square Village Creative Steps, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 1. Doesn't every child want a dog? A young boy keeps asking his mom for one, but she says dogs are too loud and too messy. So he asks if he can have a dragon; Mom says if he can find one, he can keep it. Surprise! There's one at the drugstore, reading a travel magazine. Unfortunately, the dragon is very loud and messy, roasting hot dogs in the living room and eating spaghetti in the bathtub. "Too bad we do not have a dog," the boy says. "Dragons do not like dogs." Mom agrees, and after posting a "Dog Wanted" sign in their window, it isn't long before a boxer comes knocking and the dragon is running scared--or is he? LaRochelle's prose is simple, repetitive, and wonderfully understated; it juxtaposes amusingly with the visuals of the dragon's out-there antics. The action pops to life in Wakiyama's stylized retro art with its candy-colored palette, clever use of thought bubbles, and comical touches (the dragon roasting hot dogs with his breath, or at the soda fountain, wearing shades and a porkpie hat). A happy wag of the kid-wants-dog tale, with guaranteed giggles. Karin Snelson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01MEEEWI3
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dutton Books for Young Readers (June 3, 2004)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 3, 2004
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 47736 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 93 ratings

About the author

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David LaRochelle

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David LaRochelle has been writing and illustrating books since 1988. His books have won numerous awards, including the Sid Fleischman Humor Award, the SCBWI Golden Kite Honor Award, ALA's Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, and four Minnesota Book Awards.

A former elementary school teacher, David enjoys solving puzzles, geocaching, and carving creative pumpkins, which you can view at his website www.davidlarochelle.com .

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
93 global ratings
5 star
78%
4 star
11%
3 star
3%
2 star
3%
1 star
5%

Top reviews from the United States

Tifney Gaines
5.0 out of 5 stars Household favorite!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 17, 2022
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Ian Galloway
5.0 out of 5 stars Beloved
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 27, 2022
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Teacher2
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, in excellent condition
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 17, 2012
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4.0 out of 5 stars A favorite
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 3, 2007
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Susan B. Dunning
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute for kids, hilarious for adults
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 23, 2013
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aeldridge
5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME book...one of our short-list favorites!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 13, 2011
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XopShed
5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Modern Kids Stories
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 25, 2010
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Alicia J.
5.0 out of 5 stars Super cute book
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 29, 2017
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Lisa Cummings
5.0 out of 5 stars A good feel family book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 26, 2014
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Beatriz Sousa
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story about pets
Reviewed in Spain 🇪🇸 on April 18, 2021
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moegi
5.0 out of 5 stars Un chouette livre pour les enfants - en anglais
Reviewed in France 🇫🇷 on April 22, 2016
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