Wanted - The Perfect Pet - Hardcover

Fiona Roberton was born in Oxford and studied art and design in London and New York. She has kept the wolf from the door for a number of years by working as a designer, but has since befriended the wolf, and has it to tea on Tuesdays. Sometimes, they go out. Porkchop & Mouse (published by Puffin in 2007) was inspired by her love of cakes, holidays, and her inability to share. Wanted: The Perfect Pet, was inspired by her love of dogs, ducks and disguises.

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Henry is looking for the perfect pet. The ad he places in the classifieds reads, must have waggy tail, floppy ears, soft wet nose and warm furry tongue. Duck lives alone on a cold, windy hill where no one calls, writes, or emails. After reading Henry's ad, he makes a clever doggy disguise and journeys off to meet the boy. Henry is delighted with his new dog until its nose, tail, and ears fall off in a game of chase. Then Henry does some research in his Enormous Book of Incredibly Interesting Things and is delighted with his new pet, especially after he makes a list of the duck's skills, including underwater swimming, flying, nest building, excellent at disguises, and can talk...rare, but not unheard of. Declaring the bird the perfect pet, Henry names the now-happy duck Spot. Roberton's line drawings have a palette of mostly of black and white, gray, and touches of green and yellow. They are very effective in conveying mood, action, and humor. The amusing text is placed in and among the illustrations for a seamless partnership between the two. An excellent tale about not getting what you thought you wanted but loving it anyway. Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH
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