My Pet Kitten. Marilyn Baillie. Illustrated by Jane Kurisu. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2005. 32 pp., pbk., $6.95. ISBN 1-55337-653-6. Subject Heading: Kittens-Juvenile literature. Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Gail Hamilton. ** /4
	My Pet Puppy. Marilyn Baillie. Illustrated by Jane Kurisu. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2005. 32 pp., pbk., $6.95. ISBN 1-55337-651-X. Subject Heading: Puppies-Juvenile literature. Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Gail Hamilton. ** /4

excerpt:

I think people snacks are tasty, but I know they're not good for me. Your kitten will get a tummy ache if you feed it candy or junk food. And no scraps from your supper! Your kitten will be too full for its own food- and you'll be teaching your kitten bad habits.

Quite juvenile in appearance and content, these books are very similar to the keepsake baby books that parents fill out diligently as their child grows from a newborn to a toddler. Part information, part scrapbook in format, these titles, with their cute covers and cartoon-like, pastel illustrations, will attract youngsters. The same topics are covered in each book- characteristics of a healthy kitten or puppy, a pet's first day in a new home, pet care and grooming, a typical day in the life of a kitten or puppy, and indications of illness in one's pet. Additional topics include how pets communicate, ideas for playing and travelling with pets, and training tips. The left hand page provides information and fact boxes along with the occasional riddle while the right hand page consists of multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank type questions. One typical example is:

If my kitten is asleep when I get home, it is usually
_ on the windowsill
_ on the kitchen counter
_ in the laundry basket
_ _________________

     The last four pages provide room to paste photographs of the pet and to write anecdotes. Because of their format, these books are better suited for personal collections than for school or public libraries.

     Written from the pets' perspectives, the text is easy to read and to comprehend, though sometimes the transition from the first person to more factual information seems a bit awkward. And though most of the questions in the "notebook" sections are designed to foster the child's observation skills, some of the questions are rather frivolous.

Recommended with reservations.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian at Bird's Hill School in East St. Paul, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

NEXT REVIEW |TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - April 29, 2005.

AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME