It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday again, and just in time!
I have such a fun book to share!
You know what the problem is? I have SO MANY books I want to share! I could do a review every day and still not show you all the great books that are out there.
But at least you can have a look at this one today!
Title: Luna’s Green Pet
Written By: Kirsten Pendreigh
Illustrated By: Carmen Mok
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press, fiction, August 2022
Suitable For Ages: 4-6
Themes/Topics: pets, companionship, innovative solutions
text copyright Kirsten Pendreigh 2022, illustration copyright Carmen Mok 2022, Sleeping Bear Press
Opening: “Luna begged for a pet, but her apartment building had a very strict NO PETS! policy.
No dogs, no cats, no rodents, no reptiles, no birds.
Not even GOLDFISH, after
Mr. Cousteau’s aquarium spill.”
text copyright Kirsten Pendreigh 2022, illustration copyright Carmen Mok 2022, Sleeping Bear Press
Brief Synopsis: Luna longs for a pet but her apartment building has a very strict NO PETS! policy. Not even goldfish are allowed. Her friends try to help with alternate pet suggestions, but none interest Luna. Almost ready to give up, Luna spies something discarded that tugs at her heart and seems like it needs her as much as she needs it.
Links To Resources: fun and educational back matter is provided in the book; plant a pet of your own!; if you could have a pet, what would it be? what would you name it? draw a picture!
text copyright Kirsten Pendreigh 2022, illustration copyright Carmen Mok 2022, Sleeping Bear Press
Why I Like This Book: As someone who grew up wanting a horse only to be told repeatedly by my parents that this was not possible in a New York City apartment building, I can relate – as I’m sure LOTS of kids can – to desperately wanting a pet of some kind but not being able to have one. Luna seems destined to be pet-less. . . until quite by accident she discovers a discarded plant in great need of help. Luna takes it home. And this is where the fun begins. Luna treats the plant like the pet she has always wanted. She gives it a bigger “crate” (pot), new bedding (soil), and fresh water – just as if it were an animal. She cares for it tenderly and teaches it manners. She takes it in a parade. And pretty soon, lots of people want a pet like hers. At one point it develops a frightening bump. Luna tries bandages, sponge baths, and hugs, but the bump only gets bigger. She plans to take her plant to the Botanist (think veterinarian) in the morning, but something surprising happens in the night. I won’t spoil the story for you, but it has a sweet-smelling, unexpected ending. The art is full of fun little details that young readers will enjoy noticing. A great pick for kids who like pets, plants, humor, and/or just a good story!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week! I’ve been having some trouble with the form and spreadsheet lately, so this week I created new ones, hoping to solve the problem. I’m hoping I did it right and it works. . .!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Oh the dream of a horse! Not even a miniature could fit in apartments. This sounds like such a sweet book and look forward to reading it.
I think you will love it, Maria! There is so much to appreciate both as a reader and as a writer! As for apartment horses, if I’d known about Thumbelina horses when I was little, I would have put up a real campaign to get one! 😊
I love all the pet stuff – collar and going for walks – with a plant! Genius!
It really is genius, Robin! And something I would never have thought of! Kidlit folks are SO creative!
What a sweet story! The art is lovely and fun. Congrats Kirsten!
It’s very sweet, Sheri, and also has some moments of real humor 😊
Adorable!
It is so cute, Angie!
I never thought of taking a plant for a walk! What a fun book.
It is so cleverly done, Sue! I was wondering how she’d manage all those things, and she pulls the plant around in a wagon so that it can come with her and particiapte!
What a charming book. I had the same dream — I wanted a horse. I wanted a dog. Finally got a rabbit. But inbetween, I received those Chia pets for gifts — and cared for it with water and scissors. This book will resonate with so many kids.
I really think it will, Pat. And you know what? It’s made me want to see if I can care for a plant! i’ve always been an animal person, but suddenly the idea of a Stephanie of my own seems very appealing! 😊
I love the idea of a child seeing something that needs love and then offering it up in such tender ways. Every living thing in our world needs love, don’t you think?
I was one of those lucky kids who grew up on a farm, so in addition to horses (Twiggy—a pony, Scout, and Lady), we had a dog, cats and an assortment of other farm animals, even a bottle-fed lamb I named lambchop. But plants/trees were my mother’s pets, so we plant hundreds of spindly baby evergreens (that turned into giants over the years) in addition to having a garden. Ah, the memories…..
I agree, absolutely, Jilanne! And what’s great about this story is that it embraces that need to love and be loved, and shows that even a plant can be the source and recipient of that love!
The idea of plants making great pet substitutes is so clever and the MC is a love. Great choice, Susanna.
This story is so cleverly written, Marty, so that the plant really feels like a pet. At one point Luna even trims it into the shape of a dog. And it’s sweet, but also has some very funny moments 😊
This is such a beautifully written story! It would have become one of my favorites if I were a child again!
It’s lovely, Phyllis – sweet but also pretty funny! There’s a page where Luna takes her pet to the park that says the plant enjoyed it… mostly and the art shows a dog with his leg lifted… 🤣
I’m on my way to the bookstore to pick it up :)!!
Humor is priceless!
Love this choice for PPBF! It truly demonstrates that a little love and caring can go a long way! 🙂
Farther than you can imagine, Susan! 😊
A charming concept about caring for another:). Guessing how it will end, the reward of having the care and love reciprocated would be so warm and welcome!
It has a lovely ending, Patti – both in words and pictures!