School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Mr. Cooper's class is back with another fun adventure. The students are excited to learn they will be getting a class pet. The children have different ideas about what it should be. Andrea wants it to be cute like a fluffy little bunny. Alexia doesn't agree. She thinks it should be something cool like a snake. A teachable moment arises when the pet, an eastern hognose snake, arrives. Mr. Cooper tries to educate the class about its habitat and defenses. He tells them interesting facts and vital information about the snake. Unfortunately, not everyone is paying attention...particularly Alexia. Since she was the one to suggest a snake, Mr. Cooper selects her to be in charge of taking care of it for the first week. Will Alexia be able to take care of the new pet or will it be a total disaster? This book is full of the type of humor kids will enjoy. Skunks stinking up the whole school or a ferret wetting the floor might seem silly to adults but it will hold the attention of young readers. The illustrations are bold and comical, from Mr. Cooper donning his superhero outfit to the students with their large heads and small bodies. The majority of the vocabulary is not overly difficult. However, there are words that might challenge some readers. Even though the story is packed with crazy antics, children might acquire a few scientific facts about this type of snake. VERDICT A good choice for developing readers who need something funny to pique their interest.-Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Tomboy Alexia is assigned to feed class pet Bob, a snake. During show-and-tell, other students' pets wreak havoc until Bob is scared into playing dead (much to Alexia's relief, "Bob is fine!"). Forced humor drags down the slim story, but full-color cartoon illustrations capture the frenetic energy of this easy reader aimed at kids not quite ready for the chapter books. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
