Dear Beast
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
A jealous cat really, really, REALLY wants to drive away his young owner's new dog in this playful illustrated chapter book from a two-time Geisel Honor winner.
Simon has taken care of his owner, Andy, for many years. He's a good cat. Clean, responsible, and loyal. What more could a boy want? Even when Andy's dad moves out, Simon is certain that Andy doesn't need another pet. So why would Andy's dad adopt a DOG?! To make matters worse, the animal is a rude, rowdy troublemaker.
Simon's job is clear: the beast has got to go. He decides to write him a letter. Strongly worded, of course. But when the dog's response sets off an unexpected correspondence, Simon realizes the beast may be here to stay. Can he make room for another pet in Andy's life?
This funny and heartwarming collaboration between Geisel Honor and Edgar Award-winning author Dori Hillestad Butler and bestselling illustrator Kevan Atteberry is a tribute to the love of a good pet - and the joy found in new friendship. With nine chapters and adorable full-color illustrations on every spread, the series is perfect for kids transitioning from picture books to chapter books.
A Junior Library Guild Selection
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Andy had one pet at his mother's house a cat named Simon and now there's a dog at his father's house, too. Polished, tightly drawn panel artwork by Atteberry (Ghost Cat) shows a mustachioed snail carrying a letter from haughty Simon to the new pet, Baxter. "This letter is to inform you that your services are not needed.... I prefer to care for him on my own." The dog's laconic reply is written in red crayon on a scrap of paper: "No can do." As the correspondence continues, Simon's letters grow chillier, while Baxter's replies grow all the more sweet: "LET'S BE FRIENDS!!!!!!!!" Soon, there's a crisis: Baxter runs away, Andy's bereft, and Simon's letters with a third pet and other local creatures help track Baxter down. Butler (the King & Kayla series) paces her epistolary story smartly and sweeps it free of distractions, making the contrast between Simon's controlling elitism and Baxter's dopey but eager heart easy to see. Though both love Andy, Baxter's more interested in making him happy than in hovering over him ("There's more to life than book reeports, you noe" Baxter tells Simon). It's a message of acceptance that readers of this generous, easy-to-read story will warm to. Ages 6 9.
