Illustrated by Erica Salcedo - raised in Spain
Publisher: Quatro Publishing Group, 2024
ISBN: 978-0-7112-9019-8
Russell Kane shares the pets he has had as a child and also as an adult. He states that this is NOT a pet care book nor is it a pet training book. It is a book that helps you learn about pets and gives information that will help you choose the best pet for you and your family.
You’ll learn about different kinds of cat breeds and dog breeds, plus other more exotic house pets such as rabbits, insects, rodents, budgies, and reptiles. Each pet breed is described on a two-page spread that includes an overview, a history, and the personality of the breed. My favorite part is the chart located on the lower right-hand corner of the right-hand page where he rates each breed for intelligence, neediness, playfulness, outdoor skills, and lovingness.
Russell advises NOT choosing the first pet that comes bounding up to you since this is the dominant of the litter and may be too rambunctious for your family. Also, beware of choosing the shy, lonely pet in the corner because you feel sorry for it. It very well could be a scared, needy, bitey pet. Think of what kind of pet you would like to have, consider how much time the pet will take, and get a good pet care book first. He chooses the medium energy pet, if you can.
Russell also stresses the importance of doing your best to get your pet from a breeder rather than the pet store. Breeders know the breed they raise and can give good advice. If you can get a rescue pet, that is also great.
One thing I learned in the book is that you should NEVER (he writes that word 38 times in a row!) get a rabbit from a pet store since rabbits are not as domesticated as cats and dogs and need to be handled constantly from a breeder in order to be a good pet.
I think that the word ‘hilarious’ in the title is stretching it, but he is funny in parts of the book. He also says twice for children to NOT watch his comedy act since it is for grown-ups. I don’t know about you, but that would make me want to watch it!
Reviewed by Audrey Campbell, MED
Reading Specialist and Library Media Center Director
Valley Adventist Schools, Rogers Campus
