Editorial Review

“Many families have pets—cats, dogs, birds, or other creatures—that bring great comfort in their homes. But what about those animals that are less cute and more gross but are still sometimes chosen as pets? Readers can learn about them in the pages of this book. The cute name “sand puppy” actually refers to a naked mole rat, which needs to live underground. The hoatzin is a beautiful selection for bird afficionados, but it smells like cow poop, making it a not-so-good addition to a household. Fans of fish should avoid adding a sea lamprey to an existing fish tank, as its mouth can act like a vacuum, and it will suck the life out of all the other fish. Readers will be unfamiliar with many of animals listed in this book, but after reading through these descriptions, youngsters will not want to encounter them! A few animals may be familiar to readers, but will still be undesirable as pets, including a skunk, a vampire bat, or a lizard that shoots blood from its eyes. The animal kingdom is made up of species that many of us may not want to encounter, either due to their scary-looking appearance or frightening habits. This book is a good introduction to some of our fellow inhabitants of this world, even if readers feel deterred from meeting them firsthand. Reviewer Rating: 5" —Children’s Literature