Everyone knows that cats and dogs, birds and fish are great pets, but what if you could have a “one-of-a-kind, unique as can be, fantastic superb, EXTRAORDINARY” pet? The kids in this book imagine the benefits of having a trumpeting elephant instead of a quiet cat, a snake that slithers instead of a dog that merely walks, or a chomping alligator instead of a chirping bird. Traditional pets may be cute and cuddly, but in this book extraordinary pets triumph.

The rhythmic, but not rhyming, text is minimal, yet playful. Each two page spread features a child holding the leash to an ordinary animal, but when you open the flap an extraordinary animal is revealed. The clever illustrations have a homemade, scrapbook feel to them; you can see the paint brush strokes and pencil scribbles. At the same time, there’s a polished, graphic design atmosphere to the drawings as well. It’s clear that Barroux has put a lot of thought into each illustration, most noticeable in the costumes the children wear. Each costume is a clue to the extraordinary pet under the flap.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2012/05/book-144-extraordinary-pets-by-barro...

There's no plot to this thick little picturebook, just a series of increasingly hilarious transformations as the reader gets to consider just how much fun an extraordinary pet could be. Each page shows an owner on the left, appropriately dressed, with a conventional pet on a leash on the right. When you lift the full page flap on the right page, it reveals an extraordinary pet attached to the owner's leash. Small details like the matching of the pets to their owner's clothing and behavior and the simple comparisons in the text add an inner chuckle to this fun story.

Verdict: Kids who love animals, pets, and surprises will giggle with delight over this vibrant collection of silly art.

ISBN: 978-1609050115; Published March 2010 by Blue Apple; Borrowed from the library; Added to my personal wishlist