What Pet to Get?

Shortlisted for the Booktrust Early Years Awards 2006, Dodd's book engages humorously with a perennial family dilemma.

Jack longs for a pet, something big, something exciting… like an elephant… or a lion. Mum always has a sensible argument against Jack's suggestions. Eventually he finds a solution that he thinks will be perfect, and Mum agrees – a lovely little puppy.

But what Jack chooses takes a fold-out page to illustrate, and may not be exactly what Mum had intended.

Dodd's cartoon pictures are accompanied by a text which cleverly informs young readers about the animals, suggesting the reasons for the unsuitability of each. The humour is extended by carefully concealing our view of the puppy until it's on its way home with Jack.