Sparky! by Jenny Offill - ADVISABLE

Offill, Jenny Sparky! illustrated by Chris Appelhans.  PICTURE BOOK.  Schwartz & Wade Books (Random), 2014.  $17.  

A young girl’s mother tells her she can have any pet she wants as long as it doesn’t need to be walked, bathed or fed.  After consultation with the school librarian, she decides a sloth is just the animal.  Unfortunately, a sloth is not a very exciting pet and even her neighbor Mary thinks the sloth is a really bad idea.  The girl tries to train the sloth to do tricks, without success.  Somewhere along the way, though, the girl has decided that the sloth is okay just the way it is.  

I’m sorry - that is a terrible summary of this cute book.  Get your hands on it and read it.  It would be great for a story time about pets.  It may give some kids improbable ideas, but that’s for their parents to deal with - right?  

EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher