• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Shine
  • Services
    • Winter 2023
    • Classes
      • Signature + Custom Classes
      • Little Luminaries
      • Listillos
    • Workshops
    • Parties + Events
    • Shine Hamptons
      • The Shine Studio
      • Hamptons Summer Camps
    • Craft Bags
    • Online Classes
    • Adult Events
    • Family Coaching
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Testimonials
    • Press
    • Friends Who Shine
    • Partnerships
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Shine’s “What Pet Should I Get?” Book Review

Home | Shine’s “What Pet Should I Get?” Book Review

Shine’s “What Pet Should I Get?” Book Review

September 20, 2015/in Guide, Read/by Shine

Is What Pet Should I Get By Dr. Seuss the kids’ rendition of Harper Lee’s Go Set A Watchman?

The first Dr. Seuss book I ever read was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I can’t exactly remember my initial reaction, but I am fairly certain it went along the lines of, “What the heck! Whoever wrote this is a big fat weirdo.” I mean, let’s face facts. It’s a terrifying tale about a sinister loner with “a heart two sizes too small” who wants to take away Christmas!

And while there is some redemption in the end, as the Grinch has an epiphany and realizes he was acting like a jerk, why did the Whos reward him for misbehaving in the first place? Shouldn’t he have gone to Whoville’s County Correctional Center for stealing, identity theft of Santa Claus, and animal cruelty towards his dog Max? Where was the justice? Of course these ranting questions were coming from a five year old whose English was her second language.

It took me years and a substantial amount of English classes to get me to fully appreciate Dr. Seuss – his zany, outlandish, and creepy characters and the rhymes that tickled my tongue. From Green Eggs and Ham and the ever-so-relevant The Lorax, I relished them all. And still do. Thank you, Dr. Seuss, and a shout out to the City of Angels Public School System!

This brings me to the newly published What Pet Should I Get?, which is kinda, sorta by Dr. Seuss. [Seuss died in 1991; the new book was put together using a collection of sketches and drafts rediscovered by his widow.] Given the backdrop to how it came to be, one cannot help but compare this to Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman, which is based on a newly uncovered first draft of To Kill a Mockingbird. Both works were long forgotten treasures from two revered legends who couldn’t possibly surpass the success they had in the past. With the hype that surrounded the two books, in addition to the mixed reviews, you could say Pet is the Watchman for the five-to-six year old set.

The premise of What Pet Should I Get? is simple but with an important lesson: it takes contemplation and thoughtfulness to make tough decisions.

A brother and sister have their parents’ permission to choose an animal from the pet shop as long as they’re home by noon. They teeter back and forth from wanting a dog, a cat, a goldfish, and even a huge “snoozing Yent.” The end of the story is ambiguous, leaving the readers wondering which pet the siblings finally decide to take home.

Illustrations are familiar and evoke the same essence as Seuss’ other books. So in many ways, all who were involved were successful on that front. But I can’t help feeling that there is something diluted and too obvious about the book. For example, the four potential pets holding up a banner reading “Make Up Your Mind” just knocks you out with the moral of the story. Even Grinch had to go through some inner complications before easing into the conclusion “Maybe Christmas, he thought, means a little bit more.”

If you are a super Dr. Seuss fan, you will find this book offers just enough to enjoy. And if your kids are animal lovers, this book should be added to your collection. I also think you can use the unusual back story on how this book got published in the first place to coerce your kids to enjoy it. “But Johnny, didn’t I say this is a long lost treasure?”

For the rest of us, you just can’t help but feel that maybe the missing element in What Pet Should I Get? is the magic touch of Theodor Seuss Geisel.

By Claudia Chung, Shine PR and Marketing Manager and Assistant Teacher

 

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Mail
https://shinenyc.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Shine-logo-300x220.png 0 0 Shine https://shinenyc.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Shine-logo-300x220.png Shine2015-09-20 00:17:082021-09-23 18:58:24Shine’s “What Pet Should I Get?” Book Review

Recent Articles

  • Happy Lunar New Year!January 24, 2023 - 5:33 pm
  • 4 More Ways to Encourage Resilience in ChildrenJanuary 11, 2022 - 12:00 am
  • 10 Ways for Families to Practice GratitudeNovember 11, 2021 - 8:48 pm
  • Black History Month: 3 Inventors and CraftsFebruary 5, 2023 - 2:26 am
  • Structured vs. Unstructured Play: Which Is Better?January 20, 2023 - 5:11 pm
  • The East End’s Best Places To Light a MenorahDecember 6, 2022 - 9:55 pm

Categories

  • Celebrate (104)
  • Front Page Blog (42)
  • Fun (82)
  • Guide (161)
  • Learn (73)
  • Make (38)
  • Party (23)
  • Play (52)
  • Read (21)
  • Shine 9 (8)
  • Style (2)
  • Taste (37)
  • Uncategorized (2)

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Shine Logo

ServicesEventsAboutBlogContact
212-414-5427
info@shinenyc.net
For Media Inquiries, Contact media@shinenyc.net
Location New York, NY 10036
Location Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Follow Us
FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagramYoutube

Site Map | Copyright ©2021 Shine Creative, Inc.

Website and SEO by RazorRank

Shine’s “Brief Thief” ReviewThe Cutest, Littlest Feminist Madeline
Scroll to top