43°F
weather icon Cloudy

‘A Pet for Miss Wright’ is just right

Imagine if you went to school and you were the only kid in class.

You'd have to read to yourself and play games alone. There'd be nobody to practice spelling with. Nobody to draw or color with. Nobody to laugh at your stupid jokes.

Going to school all alone would be weird. And it would be no fun.

Miss Wright hates to work all alone, so she decided that she needs company. In the new book "A Pet for Miss Wright" by Judy Young, illustrated by Andrea Wesson, she searches and searches. Will she ever find the right office-mate?

Miss Wright was an author.

People who write books usually write them alone, which is what Miss Wright did. Every day, she sat at her desk and typed. Words filled her computer screen, and her characters had wonderful, exciting adventures, but Miss Wright sat all by herself and made that happen.

Except for the clickety-click of her keyboard, it was toooooooo quiet in her office, so Miss Wright decided that she needed company. She went to the pet store and brought home a mynah bird, but the bird didn't say anything. Miss Wright took it back and got a monkey.

But the monkey made a mess of things, so Miss Wright returned it to the pet store and got a fish.

A fish was too relaxing, and nothing ever got done. So Miss Wright took it back and brought home a hamster. Surely a hamster would be better.

But the hamster went round and round in its wheel, and that made Miss Wright dizzy, so she brought home a cat. And that wasn't quite right, so she took the cat back. She said there would be no more pets, but the pet store man insisted that she try a dog.

A dog? Miss Wright was sure that a dog wouldn't be any better than the other pets. But she was surprised that the dog rested quietly on the floor as she typed. She decided that he could stay another day. And another day. And another day.

Did Miss Wright finally find the right writing companion?

So your child has been begging for a dog, but you're resisting? Beware, this adorable book won't help your resolve; in fact, "A Pet for Miss Wright" may result in a pet for you, too.

Animal lovers, authors and budding novelists of all ages will love this book and the gently funny story of a lonely writer and her quest for companionship, but when you close the back cover of the book, you may be torn. Do you like Young's story more, or are the illustrations by Wesson the better part of this wonderful book?

You and your child may have to read "A Pet for Miss Wright" again (and again) before you decide, which won't be a chore for either of you because this is one really cute book. For parents and for kids 4 to 8, "A Pet for Miss Wright" is just right.

Terri Schlichenmeyer's children's book reviews appear weekly in View.

THE LATEST
Former homeless Las Vegas teen spotlights ongoing issue

“I consider myself lucky because I had a backpack,” he said at a TED Talk in June in Traverse City, Michigan. “And because along the way I found some of the most beautiful, compassionate and courageous people that not only helped me through this time but who have left a lasting impression stamped on my heart.”

Robert Hoge’s memoir ‘Ugly’ is beautiful

You’re having a bad hair day. You feel fat in those jeans. And you’ll never complain again, once you’ve read “Ugly” by Robert Hoge.

‘Cool Nature’ will help young scientists feel smart

Just by looking at them, you can tell what kind of rocks they are and where they came from. You also know a little about biology,astronomy and what makes you tick, so why not learn more by reading “Cool Nature” by Amy-Jane Beer?

‘Cool Nature’ will help young scientists feel smart

Just by looking at them, you can tell what kind of rocks they are and where they came from. You also know a little about biology,astronomy and what makes you tick, so why not learn more by reading “Cool Nature” by Amy-Jane Beer?

Kids will love creeping through the pages of ’Frightlopedia’

Ever since your child has been young, (s)he’s known that you’d be around for comfort when things got too scary. Well, stand by.What’s inside “Frightlopedia” may still leave you on sentry duty.

New Berkeley Breathed book will charm all ages

I have no socks. Author Berkley Breathed just charmed them off me. Kids will love the colorfully wild illustrations and the basic tale of love and friendship in “The Bill the Cat Story.” They’ll appreciate Bill’s underwear and his goofy “ack.”

Engage teen curiosity with ‘Unlock the Weird!’

While parts of it may be disturbing to wee ones, trivia-loving kids ages 12 to adult will pick this book, for sure. When enjoying “Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Unlock the Weird!” curiosity is key.

Summer tall-tale adventure relies on illustrations to spin story

Lies, liars, lying. Your child has undoubtedly heard those words lately on the news, and he knows better, right? But, sometimes, embellishment is oh-so-tempting, and “The Truth about My Unbelievable Summer” is a perfect example.