Pet Show!

Oh my goodness. I love the role the old woman played. I love that the (social workers? outreach volunteers?) found awards for every single pet. Just a fun story, with an undercurrent that reminds us that kids who live in urban poverty can be the nicest kids of all, as they understand neighborliness and compassion.

I think that I'm caught up on all the Keats that is available to me, but if I do find more I will read it!

Pet Show! - Ezra Jack Keats There aren't nearly enough books showing the lives of working-class kids in the US. There are even fewer that show people making an effort to improve the lives of others as anything other than an individual act of kindness. Bring back the red-diaper babies! Bring back the goal of social justice! I want to see people striving for equality again.Library copy

The pet show is about to happen and Peter can't find that cat anywhere! Everybody shows up with their fancy pets and habitats/cages, and Peter still can't find the cat. So, he comes with a paper bag and a very special pet that nobody is expecting. This is a story of resilience and creativity in the midst of what might feel like a crisis to a child.

Ages: 3-8
Source: Personal Collection

The story revolves around Archie, a young boy who plans to enter his pet cat in the neighborhood pet show. However, on the day of the contest, Archie’s cat goes missing! Undeterred, Archie uses his creativity to come up with an unexpected solution.

In this book, Archie and his friends decide to enter their pets into the pet show. On the day of the show, they all gather their pets, but Archie, who is bringing his cat, cant find it. Still wanting to be a part of the show, he comes up with a creative idea so he can still participate. He solved his problem by himself using creativity and imagination. This can teach children that even when something isn't going the way they want, they can use their creativity and imaginations to help them solve their problem.
Subject: Ethics
Source: Pierce County Library

"Pet Show" is a cute book about a neighborhood pet show where every pet gets a prize. Archie had planned on bringing a local stray cat, but when the cat doesn't turn up anywhere Archie is forced to improvise.

His books always hit just the right, realistic note.

We really love the part in this book where Archie declares that HIS pet is a GERM. I can see a real child doing just that :)

Definitely check out Keats' books if you haven't before, and for sure you want to get *this* one.