book cover

Not That Pet!

by Smriti Halls, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw

Interest age: 3 to 5

Published by Walker Books, 2021

  • Funny
  • Picture books

About this book

Mabel’s mum takes her to the pet shop with a very exciting mission: to choose a pet for the whole family! There’s so much choice, though, that Mabel makes a few rather unusual selections: an elephant that sits on Mum is exchanged for the ants that march their way into Dad’s underpants, an easily surprised skunk and a wriggly snake. None of the pets are quite right, until, in the end, Mabel finds the animal that’s just right for her family…

An enjoyable rhyming book featuring a nicely represented mixed race family, Not That Pet! is perfect for young families considering bring an animal into their lives, and a lovely story about an everyday family and their dynamics. Grandma and Grandpa also live with the family (there’s an adorable cross section of Mabel’s house showing everyone in their separate bedrooms and the lovely details of home) which it’s also good to see, for families with more than two generations under their roof. Lots of fun with Smriti Halls’ trademark sensitive, well-paced rhyming and Rosalind Beardshaw’s lovely, cute and wholesome illustrations.

About the author

Smriti Halls is an award-winning, critically acclaimed children's author, published in more than 30 languages worldwide. Her books include #1 bestseller I Love You Night and Day, I'm Sticking with You, Elephant in My Kitchen and The Little Island.

With a cast of characters as varied as mischievous monsters and disgruntled geese, she explores relationship and identity; the personal and the political; how it feels to be in your own skin - and in someone else's. Her books, often fast-paced and funny or lyrical and tender, are always full of heart and hope and speak to the child in all of us.

Smriti also creates bold board books to engage the very smallest readers, young fiction for newly independent readers and beautiful, highly illustrated non-fiction for older readers including the award-winning The Ways of the Wolf.

The Little Island is currently shortlisted for the 2020 Little Rebels Award and the 2020 Teach Primary Awards, while I'm Sticking With You was the Independent Bookshops Children's Book of the Month for August 2020. Her forthcoming picture book Rain Before Rainbows (illustrated by David Litchfield) has been made available ahead of publication in partnership with Save the Children as a free e-book to support their work with families most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Smriti works widely with children and adults in schools, libraries, festivals, bookshops and prisons to bring a love of reading and stories to the widest possible audience. She lives in London and is also published as Smriti Prasadam-Halls.

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