Angela DiTerlizzi is a mom, wife, and author who loves writing
books for children. Her picture books include Some
Pets, Some Bugs, Baby Love, and Just Add Glitter. She and her
husband, bestselling author/illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi, reside
with their daughter in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Brendan Wenzel’s artwork often explores the natural world and our
relationship to it and he has teamed up with many groups working to
preserve wild places and creatures around the world. He has
illustrated several acclaimed animal-themed picture books,
including Some Bugs and Some Pets by Angela DiTerlizzi, Beastly
Babies by Ellen Jackson, and his own They All Saw a Cat. He lives
in New York.
Children and animals mingle at a pet show in this picture book.
Variety is on full display in this second collaboration by
DiTerlizzi and Wenzel. Their first, Some Bugs (2014),had its reveal
at the end of the story. In this, the reveal comes first, as the
double-spread title page shows a city park hosting a busy pet show.
The illustrations that follow—all double-page spreads—are scenes
pulled out and amplified from this beginning overview. DiTerlizzi's
spare, rhyming words give structure to Wenzel's kaleidoscopic
illustrations, which in their turn amply adorn the minimalist text.
The plot is a celebration of diversity, both human and animal,as
everyone cavorts and cuddles. The idea of animals sharing space
with humans in a human-created habitat is a nice one, and a note
from the creators at the end emphasizes the commitment needed for
responsible pet ownership....
*Kirkus Reviews*
This bright and bouncy story in verse is about an array of pets and
what they do. “Some pets slither. Some pets bound. Some pets scurry
round and round.” Verbs describe how pets move, how they make
sounds, how they eat, and how they show affection to their owners.
The story ends with a statement about what all pets have in common.
Humorous illustrations flesh out the simple text with mixed-media
art that includes lots of cut-paper collage and what appear to be
googly eyes. The bright, colorful illustrations are at their best
when showing animals dressed for a costume party. Readers will have
many observations about the animals in this story, as well as
comments about their own pets or other animals they have known.
Encourage young readers to find a word to describe how their pets
move, make sounds, eat, or show affection, and, if appropriate,
discuss the difference between nouns and verbs. VERDICT This fun,
lively book will entertain kids at storytime, but it is also a
simple way to begin discussing parts of speech. Recommended for all
collections.
*July 2016*
Using the setting of a pet show (a pretty raucous one), DiTerlizzi
and Wenzel highlight the traits that make pets so great in this
companion to 2014’sSome Bugs. “Some pets slither./ Some pets
bound./ Some pets scurry round and round,” writes DiTerlizzi as
Wenzel’s vivid mixed-media artwork shows a striped snake navigating
an obstacle course, a rabbit bounding over hurdles, and a hamster
giving it all he’s got on a wheel. Bouncy verse, playful
illustrated details, and abundant affection between animals and
humans add up to an exuberant reminder of the joy that having a pet
can bring. Ages 4–8.
*July 4, 2016*
In entertaining, witty fashion, the author-illustrator duo of Some
Bugs (2014) here highlight a festive array of pets great and
small. Set at a pet show in the park, various events from agility
trials with a snake (“Some pets slither”) and a rabbit (“Some
pets bound”), to a pig race (“Some pets squeal”), to a
costume party—featuring a dragon-suited dog and punk-rock
Chihuahuas among others—give different pets a chance to shine.
Eventually, there’s a celebratory animal parade, culminating with
all the pets and their diverse, youthful owners gathered for
an award ceremony. Finally, after an exciting day, things
quiet down with an affectionate concluding scenario and “Some
pets can be . . . someone’s best friend!” The
short, descriptive text with refrain is enlivened with rhyming
elements and interspersed sound effects.Meanwhile, the
vibrant, collagelike mixed-media artwork incorporates cartoonish
touches, amusing seek and- find details, and varying
perspectives as animals interact with one another and their
caretakers in a variety of playful scenarios, from chaotic to
sweet. A closing author’s note briefly touches on
the responsibilities of pet ownership. Peppy, fun, and perfect
for reading aloud. — Shelle Rosenfeld
*September 29, 2016*
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