by Jenny Offill & Chris Appelhans
The spunky girl in this story wanted a pet, she really wanted a pet, but her mother said no to all of the usual pets. Her mother’s criteria for an acceptable pet: “it doesn’t need to be walked or bathed or fed.” These restrictions did not deter the girl, and with the help of her school librarian she found the perfect pet. A sloth. She ordered one, and a lovely, lazy, self-sufficient sloth arrived in the mail. It didn’t need to be walked or bathed or fed, but was really a great pet?
This is as charming a picture book as you will find. The illustrations are bursting with life and humour. The girl, with her reddish nose, is adorable, and the sloth is downright huggable. A great book to share, especially with those little ones who are nagging you for a pet. Ages 4 and up.