A true story based on the author's experience of having a capybara as a family pet. His oldest son had always brought home animals as pets but once when he was attending college he brought home a capybara. The animal won all their hearts and had many comic escapades but in the end they realize that wild animals are not meant to be pets and they must decide what to do with him. The story ends happily, though mother sheds a few tears. This is a fun, educational story illustrated profusely with Peet's fabulous line drawings. Bill Peet worked for Walt Disney back in the day and he is one of the greatest children's book author/illustrators.
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