A Review of Luna's Green Pet
Author: Kristen Pendreigh
Illustrator: Carmen Mok
Publisher:
Sleeping Bear Press, 2022
AMAZON COPY: Luna longs for a pet but the apartment building where she and her family live has a very strict NO PETS! policy. Not even goldfish are allowed. While her friends try to help with alternate pet suggestions, none interest Luna. Almost ready to give up, Luna spies in the trash something small, something green, something someone has discarded--a wilted plant. Perfect! Luna names her new pet Stephanie, confident she can nurse the plant back to health. When others question Stephanie's suitability as a pet, Luna's devotion is unwavering. She knows Stephanie is perfect just as she is. But will Luna's love and care be enough to bring Stephanie to full health? And what are those strange bumps growing on her? Brought to life with warm, expressive artwork, this charming story of one young girl's belief, determination, and out-of-the-box thinking is perfect for anyone who has ever wished for a pet, only to be told no. Back matter includes tips on how to grow your own "Stephanie."
So many children who are want-to-be pet owners (but can't) will identify with Luna and her plant problems. Whether it be building rules, pet allergies or another reason, this clever story offers a fun alternative to having a pet.
THREE REASONS TO READ:
The story features a determined main character who kids will identify with and a problem that they can connect with.
Introduces reasoning and problem navigating skills, as well as inspiration to do the best with what you have to work with.
Offers a fun and satisfying ending that incorporates creativity and kindness.
Children and adults alike will enjoy the suggestion of this clever solution to not being able to have a pet. And it also presents as a fun activity for young children, whether in a class or at home.
Purchase Luna's Green Pet here: https://amzn.to/3F6Xdx
REVIEW BY: Lynne Marie
Lynne Marie is the award-winning author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten -- art by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of School -- art by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play -- art by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares -- art by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling / Scholastic 2019) and Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World -- art by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books 2019), The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project and The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project Coloring Book -- art by Wendy Fedan (Mac and Cheese Press, 2022), The Palace Rat -- art by Eva Santana (Yeehoo Press 2023) and more, forthcoming.
She’s the Owner/Director of RateYourStory.org, ThePictureBookMechanic.com, and the Creator/Host of March On With Mentor Texts (www.rateyourstory.org/march-on) and Mentor Text Talk by Rate Your Story). She’s also the Co-Host of #SeasonsOfKidLit (www.seasonsofkidlit.com), a Cybils Judge since 2016 (www.cybils.org) and a Feature Columnist at Children’s Book Insider (www.writeforkids.org).
When she’s not mining story ideas, she lives in the heart of Florida with her family, a Schipperke named Anakin and a Chihuahua named Marlowe Charlotte (after a famous playwright and a famous author). Visit her atwww.LiterallyLynneMarie.com. Lynne Marie is represented by Marisa Cleveland ofwww.theseymouragency.com.
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