You Don't Want a Dragon by Ame Dyckman

 You Don't Want a Dragon by Ame Dyckman - 40 Pages

Be careful what you wish for -- again! This follow-up to You Don't Want a Unicorn points out the hilarious mishaps that come with adopting a dragon.

Our protagonist wishes (much to the narrator's continued chagrin) for a pet dragon. Though initially thrilled, the kid quickly discovers that dragons aren't quite as awesome as they originally thought. From the scooting to the digging to the fire-breathing, our Kid is dismayed that they still haven't found their perfect pet. Little do they know, that pet might just be right around the corner . . .

Mrs. Wow Never Wanted a Cow by Martha Freeman

Mrs. Wow Never Wanted a Cow by Martha Freeman - 48 pages

When a cow unexpectedly shows up on Mrs. Wow’s lawn, her lazy dog and cat think they should teach her their chores, so they can rest. They find out that the cow is no good at catching mice or being a watchdog. But Mrs. Wow knows something the cow can do, and it makes the chores worth it! 

Pet Shop of Horrors Vol. 5

Pet Shop of Horrors Vol. 5
by Matsuri Akino
212 pages

 Count D is under investigation again when a young senator sets his eye on the presidency and a very rare animal only Count D can find. And what is he to do when Detective Orcot drops an unexpected visitor off to play at the Pet Shop?

The Dragon Behind the Glass - Emily Voigt

The Dragon Behind the Glass - Emily Voigt - 336 pages

Fish. The final frontier.

...Okay, not really.  But seriously, the history of fish tank fishies is really interesting stuff, especially as told by Emily as she travels all over the world in search of the elusive wild Super Red Arowana, a fish whose domesticated counterpart sells for tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars to collectors around the world.  She Indiana Jones's her way through remote and urban jungles on a quest to find this primordial fish that langors in the tanks of the rich and privilaged, but has been fished to near extinction in the wild due to high demand.

There's something fascinating in her quest and the stories she hears from modern day adventurers.  Some are breeding fish for profit, some are travelling to find elusive new species of every kind for fame, fortune, and maybe just the fun of it, and some are worried about the ecological implications of humankind's obsession with caging the wild.  Maybe ecology is really at the root of this story; by the end, even I was feeling cynical about the possibility of righting our wrongs as the apex of the food chain (whether we're eating our prey or cramming it in a glass bowl for entertainment purposes).  Species altered by the breeding hands of people are no longer comparable to their wild counterparts; is an animal extinct if it only exists in our living rooms and hotel lobbies?

My Pet Book by Bob Staake

My Pet Book by Bob Staake, 40 pages

How could one who works in a library resist reading a book with this title? What a great idea, to have a pet for a book! This seems especially appropriate after reading the new Dr. Seuss book.  So, a little boy in the town of Smartytown chooses a red book for his pet.  What could possibly go wrong with having such a perfect pet as a book?  But, when the little boy finds his red book lost, he gets to experience first hand how to find a lost pet.  This book does have a happy ending.  Written in rhymes, this book also has colorful illustrations.

What Pet Should I Get? by Dr.Seuss

What Pet Should I Get?  by Dr. Seuss, 40 pages

I highly recommend all Dr. Seuss fans read this book.  I loved it! The prose may not be quite as creative as his other works, but nonetheless, it is total Dr. Seuss.  When Kay and her brother have to choose a pet, they go through the normal choices at the pet store.  What will they choose?  Their choice may surprise you.  I love this book because it is about making decisions and using your imagination.  The book included the background on how this book came to be, and a little background on Dr. Seuss and some of his real life pets. This was truly a delight to read!!

Max Has a Fish by Wiley Blevins

Max Has a Fish 

by Wiley Blevins, 32 pages

Poor Max. His pet fish doesn't like to dance! But that doesn't stop Max from trying to teach him how!

Tails are not for Pulling by Elizabeth Verdick

Tails are not for Pulling 

by Elizabeth Verdick, 34 pages

This easy to read children's book works at teaching children empathy animals- no tail pulling, no poking and no teasing.

MSCHMITT--- The Diggiest Dog, by Al Perkins 63

MSCHMITT--- The Diggiest Dog, by Al Perkins  63

Sammy Brown saves the day when he buys Duke the dog from the pet shop. Duke is thrilled to no longer be living on a hard stone floor but when Duke discovers digging he takes it a bit too far and digs up the entire town. When Sammy threatens to take him back to the store Duke realizes he must dig back everything that he dug down.