Hamsters and puppies and parakeets are all well and good, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a pet unicorn or a pet dinosaur? Children everywhere are universally infatuated with animals, but equally exciting is the concept of having one for a friend or a pet. Add to that the fun idea of having an animal, real or fantasy as a pet that usually isn’t classified or available as a pet and you have an exciting proposal.
That is why I am compiling this list. Kids get such a kick out of the idea of “unusual/fantasy pets” that the picture books featuring them are so much fun to read. Shoot, even as an adult I love the idea of having a unicorn for a pet. Seriously though, it would be ah.ma.zing! I hope that you and your kiddos enjoy this list of unlikely pets as much as we do.
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“Ella Who?” by Linda Ashman and Sara Sanchez- This book is so adorable! It is about a runaway elephant that shows-up at a little girls house and they become fast friends. Plus, the illustrations are darling.
“When Your Lion Needs a Bath” and “When Your Elephant has the Sniffles” by Susanna Leonard Hill and Daniel Wiseman (released July 11th)- These are both board books that make an excellent pair. They are written in the format of a “how to” guide book which makes them extra fun with all their little suggestions from keeping your elephant from sneezing to helping your lion warm-up to the idea of a bath.
“Caring for Your Lion” by Tammi Sauer ad Troy Cummings- This one is also written in the format of a “how to” book and is sure to have children laughing with all of it’s humorous advice and suggested outcomes. The illustrations add to the sense of fun with their bright colors and likable characters.
“If I had a Gryphon” by Vikki VanSickle and Cale Atkinson- This is the story about a little girl who gets a pet hamster, but spends some time imagining what it might be like to have a fantasy animal for a pet. Her conclusions on why that might not end up being a good idea are giggle inducing and full of creativity.
“This Moose Belongs To Me” by Oliver Jeffers- In this story a little boy “adopts” a moose and the two make a wonderful pair. The fun twist in this story is when you discover that they little boy isn’t the only one that adopted the moose. Like a neighborhood cat, this moose has many, many friends.
“If I Had a Dinosaur” by Gabby Dawnay and Alex Barrow- I had to add this one because the illustrations are wonderful and the notion of having a dinosaur for a pet is one that I think most every child can relate too. Plus, once you read how fantastic it would be in this book, you are sure to be wishing it were possible.
“Sparky!” by Jenny Offill and Chris Appelhans- This is the story of a little girl who wants a pet badly, but much to her surprise, her parents get her a sloth. At first she is a bit confused as to how this is an ideal outcome, but she makes the best of things and learns to love her sloth Sparky just as it is. A cute story about acceptance.
“A Unicorn Named Sparkle” by Amy Young- In this one a little girl orders a pet unicorn through the mail and is thrilled upon it’s arrival. However, it isn’t exactly a pet unicorn that she has received, but a goat! This one had me laughing throughout and is just plain fun. You are bound to find yourself loving this optimistic protagonist as I do.
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