Charlotte and the Rock

When Charlotte Grey's parents give her a pet rock for her sixth birthday, the little girl tries to stay positive. While it's true that a boulder wasn't quite what she had in mind, when she pleaded for a companion, she attempts to train Dennis, as he is eventually called, in the proper ways of a pet. Eventually her persistence pays off when Dennis, sensing one night that she really needs a hug, hatches out of his shell, and is revealed as a dinosaur. Now it is Charlotte's parents who must try to stay positive...

Having no preconceptions about the story-line of Charlotte and the Rock when I first picked it up, I have to confess that I found the first portion of the story rather trying. What kind of sadist gives their child a large boulder show more as a "pet," I kept asking myself... But when Dennis' true nature is finally revealed, I got a good chuckle, not least because Charlotte's parents had their comeuppance coming. The idea of having a dinosaur as a pet is not so uncommon - when I was a girl, I greatly enjoyed Danny and the Dinosaur - but author Stephen W. Martin manages to do something new and fresh with it. The accompanying artwork by Samantha Cotterill is likewise fresh and appealing, with a limited color range - lots of red and light green - that nevertheless works very well. There's a certain vintage charm here, for all that it is a newly published book, that I found engaging. Recommended to anyone looking for stories about unusual pets! show less

Charlotte, a perkily plump little girl with white-blonde hair, would absolutely love to have a pet. Her parents fulfill her wishes and get her...a pet rock. A rather LARGE pet rock. This starts a series of delightfully humorous situations as Charlotte attempts to train and play with her new pet. Just when she is getting used to her unusual pet, a startling development changes everything.

The simple illustrations are picked out with bright accents in scarlet and soft greens. Charlotte is a cheerful little girl, who makes the best of things and struggles on despite her difficulties with her large boulder of a pet. There are jokes that both adults and children will appreciate, like Charlotte lying on a coach and telling her rock her show more troubles, or being superheroes together, both with matching green masks.

Verdict: This is a delightful addition to the "odd pets" genre. Not a necessary purchase perhaps, but certainly worth adding and will be a fun addition in storytimes as well.

ISBN: 9781101993897; Published 2017 by Penguin; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library show less

A funny, gentle story with a great twist. Turns out a rock could be just the pet Charlotte needs.

Golden Sower nominee. Cute book.

Fun story!!!!!