Prudence Wants a Pet

by Cathleen Daly, Stephen Michael King (Illustrator)

Prudence wants a pet. Desperately.

“No,” says Dad, “pets cost too much to keep.”
“No,” says Mom, “pets make noise.”

But Prudence is determined. She finds her own pet. It is a…branch. But Branch isn't exactly the pet of her dreams, and neither are Twig, Mr. Round (a car tire), or her baby brother Milo.

Poor Prudence. Will she ever find the perfect pet?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Humor, Storytime, Family, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 21, 2011

About the author

Cathleen Daly is performer and writer who lives in the Bay Area outside San Francisco. Besides writing many little unintelligible notes to herself, she writes poetry, fiction and experimental theater. She has danced onstage with a cupcake attached to the top of her head with a single bobby-pin. Sometimes it fell off.
Her poetry has been published in a variety of journals and in Literary Mama, The Anthology. She's authored one chapbook of poetry, "Ode to the Unhinged". Her last show "How to be a Secret Agent Girl as Seen on American Television and in Movies" won Best of the SF Fringe Festival and was featured in the Women on the Way Festival. Her favorite part of the show, besides dancing with a cupcake on her head, was dressing up as a dirty old, lovesick pirate and swaggering around onstage in pantaloons. "Pantaloons" is a really great word, some other favorites are "pantsuit", "culottes", and "parka". Why does the garment industry have such a monopoly on great-sounding words? Anyway, The San Francisco Examiner called the show "a highly theatrical experience with profound flashes of meaning and delight. A free wheeling mélange of sketches, songs and dances combines razor-sharp satire with stylized visual panache".

Reviews

[Tomiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like such a stick in the mud for giving this otherwise charming book such a low score when almost everyone else gives it 5 stars. The illustrations are terrific and the humor is droll, but I have issues with the idea that Prudence leaves two of her "pets" (a tire and a shoe) in the junkyard because they will be "happier" there. So many real pets are abandoned each year in such a manner. This book reinforces the idea that it's perfectly fine to abandon your pets in the junkyard. It would have been simple enough to show her returning the tire and their shoe to their rightful places, perhaps showing a silly picture of her dad looking for his missing shoe or trying to drive the car with a missing tire.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prudence Wants a Pet by Cathleen Daly, illustrated by Stephen Michael King, follows a girl who so desperately wants a pet that she keeps trying to find a variety of substitutes.

Prudence's parents say pets cost too much to keep, make noise, are messy, and take up space. So Prudence got a branch for a pet. She dragged it to school and back. After Dad tripped over branch eight times he broke it into twigs. Prudence tries out twig, shoe (Formal Footware), her little brother Milo, and Mr. Round (a tire) as pets, but none of them work out. Her parents get her sea buddies, who look so much like pulp that Prudence moves into her closet. Her parents finally relent with her birthday looming. Prudence's perfect pet will make you smile and it's name will make you laugh.

The text features mostly short sentences that clearly tell this story of an imaginative, determined girl with a nice dose of humor.

King's line drawing illustrations are extremely funny and match this story perfectly. My favorite images include Prudence walking and watering branch, Dad breaking branch into twigs, Formal Footwear doing tricks, and Milo in a box and eating grass.

This combination of quirky story and illustration is near perfect with a delightful ending. The focus remains on the adorable Prudence, with the faces of her parents never shown. This should be both a read-aloud and one on one reading hit. I highly recommend this for school and public library collections.

For ages 4 to 6, pets, imagination, determination, family, and fans of Cathleen Daly and Stephen Michael King.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prudence wants a pet. She REALLY wants a pet. Her parents say NO. But this endearing book tells the story of how she gets one. Or, more than one. You see, her first pet is named Branch. Because it is a branch. Prudence takes very good care of Branch, giving it lots of exercise. It doesn't eat much, just air. But one day Dad trips on Branch while it is sitting on the doorstep.

Prudence's next pet is named Twig. It lives in her pocket. Then, there is a little incident with the washing machine...

Prudence doesn't give up. Yet none of her "pets" is quite suitable. Will she eventually get the perfect, real pet? Read this charmer to find out ;-)

Needless to say, I pretty much loved this book. Stephen Michael King's illustrations are totally winning and fit perfectly with the humor and pathos of this tale of longing, imagination and love. I did wish there had been a more suitable place for the pet tire than leaving it in an abandoned lot, and also that Prudence's parents had spoken with her a bit more about why they couldn't have a pet, or what would make an appropriate time to have one. But, all in all, I can't give this less than five stars.

But note that if you do have a child who really wants a pet and cannot have one, this might not be the best book to read!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wanted a dog when I was growing up and I’m still attracted to “I want a pet” type books. I have many on my shelves, including these four with similar titles: I Want A Dog and I Really Want a Dog and I Want a Dog! and I Want a Dog!. And here’s one I haven’t read yet, with the same theme but a differently worded title: Wanted: The Perfect Pet. And there are others. I couldn’t have a dog or cat when I was young. I was fortunate to have a dog for nine years as an adult but most of my life I’ve lived in no pets allowed apartments. I love cats too, and I know I’ve read some wonderful companion cat books.

So, this book:

Ha! I love how Prudence tries out her baby brother Milo as an example of a pet. (And I love the name Milo and have ever since I read The Phantom Tollbooth when I was eight.)

I love Prudence’s imaginativeness and resourcefulness. This is a fun story.

I really enjoyed the relating of Prudence's first incidence of tears due to feeling happy vs. sad.

I’ve liked a few other books illustrated by this author and I enjoyed his pictures here too, even though the style seemed quite different from the illustrations in some of his other books.

I wouldn’t recommend this to kids who were in the position I was in: no pets, no pets allowed, but for kids who have pets, can have pets, or don’t have a hankering for pets, this is a very engaging book. No big shocker. I guessed the exact ending. Prudence’s parents relent and give her a cat for her birthday. I knew it would be a cat and not a dog.

And the last page (while not a huge shock) is very cute.

Wonderful read aloud book!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audience: Primary
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pre-reading strategy: I would mix two strategies with this book. I would have my students take a faster-paced "Picture Walk" looking only at her possible pets. As they are taking their picture walk, students will fill out a "Two-Column Notes" sheet. On the left hand side, they will list each "pet" she owns and make one prediction of why or why not that pet is a "suitable" pet. Then as we read, we will fill in the right hand side with the actual outcomes of those pets. We would include why she thought they made a great pet, why they did not end up making a great pet, and how she disposed of that particular pet. Two-Column Notes not only helps students understand making predictions, but also, reasoning because Prudence goes through that process of how each of her pets are great and then not so great. She has good reasoning as to why she retired each of her pets where she did, too.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hilarious story about a little girl who is determined to have a pet. Despite her parents repeated denials, she is willing to use her imagination and creativity to make it happen on her own, even with inanimate objects. She is such a sweet and persistant little girl, and it shows that she really just wants a pet to love and care for.

I would warn parents who are loathe to bring an animal into the house - this is a story about getting a pet and any child who reads this will likely hope to have the ending come true for them as well. We really enjoyed reading this story together and I have a feeling that another pet is in our future...

[Holly Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed so hard reading this with my kids! I'm glad we stumbled upon this one at the library.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prudence is so desperate for a pet that she begins adopting household objects and trying to domesticate them. It begins with a branch named Branch, who becomes dismembered when dad trips over him one too many times. Later, Pru turns to such things as a car tire, her brother, Milo, and - my personal favorite - a shoe called "Formal Footwear." But none of these is the pet of her dreams, and she persists, until finally Mom and Dad give in.

While I was somewhat unsure why Prudence's parents eventually give in to her pleadings, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. Rather, there were many things I loved about it.

For one thing, I really enjoyed the shape of the book. It's shorter than the average picture book, and wider, so when the book is open, it becomes one huge, long rectangle across which Prudence can jump, leap and walk her pets. Because the two-page spreads are so wide, the illustrations are able to convey the passage of time with a series of subtle changes in Sophie's posture and expression from moment to moment.

Another aspect of the illustrations that was fun and clever was the fact that we never see the tops of Prudence's parents. They are always depicted from the waist down only, from the perspective of a small child. That is such a great way to ground the story in the world of a child and to portray the parents as the unreasonable voices of authority Prudence believes they are throughout most of the book.

The carefree and loose lines of the illustrations also perfectly suit the tone and sense of humor in the story. Just as the simple and deadpan text ("Prudence gets a pet. It is a branch. Its name is Branch."), the illustrations of Prudence and her various "pets" made me laugh out loud.

This is definitely a new favorite for me, that I will save to share with my pre-K and K classes during class visits this Fall. It's possible that the only person who loves this book more than I do is Lemony Snicket, who wrote, "I admire this book so much I have adopted it as my pet. I drag it around with me wherever I go, never letting it out of my sight." I don't think a book could receive much higher praise than that.

Read at Tales for Fours and Fives on 8/18/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read at Preschool Story Time on 8/29/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read during pre-k class visit on 5/22/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Cherilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audience: Primary

Genre: Picture Book/Realistic Fiction

The book Prudence Wants a Pet would lend itself well to the pre-reading picture walk strategy. I would use this book as a read aloud during our animal unit. The picture walk strategy uses the illustrations to stimulate questions to get the students discussing and predicting what the story may be about. It helps children to connect the illustrations to their own experiences (making connections) and activate their prior knowledge, using text to text, text to self or text to world. The picture walk strategy
models enthusiasm for books by sharing experiences related to the topic.
I would start by showing the cover to my class and ask them to image what this book may be about. I may cover the title first. I would give the children opportunities to talk about what they predict it is about from viewing the front cover.
I would then turn through each page and have the children observe what they see in the pictures. I would continue to ask questions such as "What do you think Prudence is doing with that branch, twig, tire, etc...?" "Who do you think these legs belong to?" (Only part of the picture is shown at times.) "What may be happening in the illustration with Prudence in the laundry room?" I would not show the last 2 pages in our picture walk because the illustrations give away the ending.
When we near the end of the story and have looked at each picture, I will ask "What do you think will happen at the end of the story?" WIll Prudence get a real pet? (making predictions) "Which is your favorite picture and why?" (making connections) Also ask, "Have you ever been surprised with a pet?" "What is the girl (Prudence) doing in this picture?" (analyzing characters) "Where are the main characters in this story?" (setting) "Why do you think Prudence has a shoe tied to a string?" Why do you think she did that? (plot)
I think my students would enjoy this entertaining book and we would have some interesting discussion on our picture walk!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIENCE: Primary
GENRE: Realistic Fiction, Humor

PRE-READING STRATEGY: Activating Background Knowledge/Making Connections
* The Activating Background Knowledge/Making Connections strategy is a strategy where teachers ask a specific question relating to a text prior to reading. Asking a specific question allows thinking to spark and then make a connections chart prior to reading that will grow during and after reading the text.
* I chose this strategy for Prudence Wants a Pet because I feel that most kids can relate to having a pet. Even if a student does not have a pet they probably have experience reading about pets through both fiction and nonfiction texts. Students can also relate to things that would like in a pet.
*Before reading Prudence Wants a Pet, I would read students the title and ask them to think about a time when they wanted a pet VERY badly. I will ask them to think about what types of animals make good pets and why. I will ask students to think about what types of things would and would not make good pets. As a whole group we will make a “Connections Chart” entitled “A Good Pet”. I will add students’ ideas about what makes a good pet prior to reading the story. This will activate students’ background knowledge and get them thinking about what they already know about pets and make connections to their own lives. As we read the story, we will add, revisit and revise our “Connections Chart”. Hopefully as the story progresses students will see how animals are not the only things that can be thought of as a “pet”. Prudence wants a pet so badly that she will take care of a branch, twig, or tire just to have a "pet". Making some connections prior to reading will allow students to think more critically about what the characteristics of a good pet might be.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute story, and one that received some great laughs from both my kids and myself.

Prudence desperately wants a pet, and no matter how many times she asks she's constantly told no. Using her imagination, Prudence decides to adopt various things around her house and make them her pet, and in the end a tree branch, a shoe, her little brother and even a tire aren't very fun pets.

This is a delightful read that kids will really enjoy. It's a story both kids and some adults alike will be able to relate to. Especially if you're someone who grew up wanting a pet. Who doesn't want to have a loyal campion with them. I enjoyed how inventive Prudence was in trying to find the perfect pet. Even though her tree branch, the shoe, her little brother and everything else she finds end up not being the pet she wanted, she's finally granted the perfect pet from her parents for her birthday. With the endless possibilities on what it could be, you'll have to go pick up Prudence's story to find out what she received. I can tell you it's not a branch, a shoe, her little brother or a tire.

[babyhippoface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow, after reading two pages of this I stopped and said, "This is Ally!" Prudence reminded me so much of my younger daughter, who wanted a pet so badly when she was little she got a little desperate from time to time.

Prudence wants a pet. Mom and Dad say no. So she finds one. How about this branch? He worked out okay for a little while. Was never hungry, didn't drink much. But Branch tripped Dad one too many times, and the scene was ugly. Then Prudence had a pet named Twig (you can figure it out).

Next came Formal Footwear, an old shoe. (Love it.) Then Mr. Round, an old tire. Then Prudence was allowed to order "sea buddies". But the sea buddies just looked like orange juice pulp. Not fun. (Oh yeah, we had sea monkeys, too.)

Finally, Prudence's parents decide to make their daughter's dreams come true. A big pink present with holes in the sides is hers on her birthday. What will be inside?

This book is an absolute delight. Honestly. Just adorable. Will make a wonderful read-aloud for storytimes about pets.

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay start counting how many books you have read about a child who really wants a pet and the parents say no. No, it’s too much work. No, you won’t look after it. No, we don’t have time, space, energy . . . I can think of many. So how can another book on this theme really seem fresh, new, inspired? Prudence Wants a Pet written by Cathleen Daly and illustrated by Stephen Michael King will sweep you off your feet. This book is simply about the determination and charisma of Prudence. And yes, her extreme and unrelenting desire for a pet! I dare you not to adore her!

Prudence, Prudence! Such a delightful character. When she cried the kind of tears that she didn't know about, my heart melted. A new absolute, I must own it favourite!

[Amy Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about a girl who longs for a pet and has a great imagination. The drawings are fun, the story is short, perfect length for a bedtime read.
I loved reading this book to the kids. It is on the NSW premiers reading challenge for year 3 and 4. When my kids grew out if this book it migrated to my bookshelf ready for the grandkids. This book is a keeper.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, quriky new addition to the kid-wants-a-pet genre of picture books. Full review to follow at www.my3books.com.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one really worked for me. Both text and illustrations. I nearly laughed pretty hard when Prudence tried to use her baby brother as a "pet" when other things failed.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great for slightly older kids that will get the humor. My son (five) laughed so hard at her pet shoe (and its name) that he didn't breathe for almost a minute.

[Colby Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was kind of like a picture book version of "When Life Gives you OJ". I am in love with Prudence. Can't wait to use this book to help me teach character.

[marmix · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book at bedtime last night and everyone, ages 3 to 37, laughed so hard we cried. Very, very funny.

[Cosette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I, too, was bothered by the way some pets were discarded "set free" as a way of moving on to the next one... weren't there other options available than just abandonment? Hmmm...

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a cute little children's book about a little girl named Prudence who really, really wants a pet of her own.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no doubt this is an adorable book, both the story and the illustrations, but is adorable enough? I think not as this book has to compete with so many other fiction books in the market place. As other readers have noticed, the endings for each pet including her little brother Milo were less than ideal. In addition there really was no instruction on proper care for pets. Some may think me petty but the illustrations by Stephen Michael King looked so blonde and Caucasian. Why is it that illustrators and publishers can't add a little diversity to their books?

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prudence wants a pet so badly, but Mom and Dad say no. She tries to find a pet that will work for both her and her mom and dad, but it's not easy. Branch trips her Dad ... eight times ... so Branch has to go. Twig is so small it gets lost and Formal Footwear isn't very much fun. There's no interaction. But Prudence keeps trying. Finally, her Mom and Dad see just how much Prudence wants a pet and decides to get her one for her birthday.

Sweet story about a persistent little girl with a big imagination.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming story about a girl who really wants a pet. She chooses a stick, then a twig, a tire, a baby brother, sea monkeys, but something always goes wrong. Eventually she gets a cat for her birthday.
Clever illustrations and simple text.

[Fatima Seraj Alam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this book is geared to an older crowd. Personally I didn’t like it when dad ripped the branch to shreds or when Prudence gave the tire away to junkyard. Sends a message of abandonment which is heartbreaking when it happens to real pets all the time.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I don't want a pet, and even though I generally prefer illustrations that are more realistic, this book just charmed me. Daly gets it.

I particularly loved that she freed Formal Footwear to go live in the junkyard where he'll be happier....

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. Precious.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute and funny

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a creative girl who wants a pet. When her parents say no, she tries all sorts of pet alternatives. None are satisfying for various reasons.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable!