Jacob O'Reilly Wants A Pet by Lynne Rickards and Lee Wildish
| Jacob O'Reilly Wants A Pet by Lynne Rickards and Lee Wildish | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
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| Summary: The cry of Oh, PLEASE can I have a pet? will ring true in many households. Jacob O'Reilly's menagerie is wild and fun, and the strong poem makes for a delightful read. Recommended. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: March 2010 |
| Publisher: Hodder Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0340988381 | |
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Like many young children, Jacob O'Reilly Wants A Pet. He'd love a dog. A cat would be great. Ooh, what about gerbils? Or an iguana? He's desperate for an animal to look after, but mum and dad don't fancy the idea. Then they suggest that he start a pet-sitting business, and all hell breaks loose...
Jacob O'Reilly Wants A Pet is lots of fun. Jacob's menagerie will have you chuckling along, as he bathes with walruses, copes with cats swinging from the light fittings, cleans up rabbit poo from the kitchen, and comes to terms with Morris the python hogging his bed. His repeated cries of Oh, PLEASE can I have a pet? will strike a chord with children and parents alike. It's all played out with such a warm heart and love of the absurd that you'll be completely hooked.
Lee Wildish's illustrations suit the text perfectly. The animals are appealing enough that you can see why Jacob wants to take care of them. They're also wild and cartoony, allowing the humour full rein. There's so much happening on every page that you'll find new things to enjoy each time you read it. It's clear that it was a lot of fun to illustrate, and that shines through, creating a jolly atmosphere.
There's a strong sense of rhyme and rhythm throughout, and the poem just trips off the tongue. After a reading or two, your little 'uns will be joining in, as they remember all the crazy shenanigans. The writing is punchy and engaging, making it suitable for the very youngest book fans, right up to those who are just about to learn to read for themselves. The jokes work time and time again, and it'll be a firm favourite on any bookshelf. Recommended.
My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.
DogFish by Gillian Shields also features longing for a pet. For more animal fun, check out Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, Zebedee's Zoo by Giles Milton and Katharine McEwen, The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen and Why The Animals Came To Town by Michael Foreman.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Jacob O'Reilly Wants A Pet by Lynne Rickards and Lee Wildish at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Jacob O'Reilly Wants A Pet by Lynne Rickards and Lee Wildish at Amazon.com.
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