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The Best Pet of All
This boy-wants-dog story with a twist is both snappy and endearing. The little boy's mother won't let him have a dog. Dogs are too messy and too loud. But she says he can have a dragon for a pet - if he can find one. Enter the coolest - but naughtiest - pet ever. The dragon is messier and louder than any dog. And he will not leave. How will the boy ever get a dog now? Wry, stylish illustrations with an appealing retro look perfectly complement the spare, witty text. A comical, engaging story for anyone who's ever wanted a pet!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2004
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280 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
August 26, 2011
4.5 STARS
I loved almost everything about this book! The illustrations are absolutely wonderful; they have a retro '50s feel while also managing to be very hip (in one illustration, the mom appears to be doing yoga or something). The little boy is just so darn cute and earnest in his desire for a dog and is always dismissed; so, while I can't quite say I condone his methods for getting one, I must say I couldn't exactly blame him, either. The escapades with the pet dragon are a hoot! I'm sure this will go over better with children longing for a pet than with those parents who must constantly say "No," but if chosen at the right time, this could be a real winner for everyone ;-)
By the way, the illustrator is Hanako Wakiyama who really deserves to be better known!!! Hanako Wakiyama
I loved almost everything about this book! The illustrations are absolutely wonderful; they have a retro '50s feel while also managing to be very hip (in one illustration, the mom appears to be doing yoga or something). The little boy is just so darn cute and earnest in his desire for a dog and is always dismissed; so, while I can't quite say I condone his methods for getting one, I must say I couldn't exactly blame him, either. The escapades with the pet dragon are a hoot! I'm sure this will go over better with children longing for a pet than with those parents who must constantly say "No," but if chosen at the right time, this could be a real winner for everyone ;-)
By the way, the illustrator is Hanako Wakiyama who really deserves to be better known!!! Hanako Wakiyama
September 4, 2011
Charming! Very amusing!
This one grabbed me from the cover illustration and kept me riveted all the way through.
This story had me chortling all the way through it. It’s a very funny story about a very roundabout way for a young boy to convince mom that a dog is the best pet of all.
My favorite scene had to be the spaghetti in the bathtub, and also the playing with but not putting away toys, but every page of text and its illustration were funny and beautifully moved along the story.
Unfortunately, this might be a bit of a downer of a book for kids who desperately want a dog, or other pet, but whose yearning is not going to be met. So, maybe it’s a better book for kids who already have pets that they love, or kids who don’t have a special desire for a pet. Then it’s simply a fun and funny story with great pictures. Kids will appreciate how mom’s suggestion goes awry and how the little boy manages to get his wish fulfilled.
Given who is scared of who in this book, it might also be a good story choice for fearful children.
Great fun to read aloud.
This one grabbed me from the cover illustration and kept me riveted all the way through.
This story had me chortling all the way through it. It’s a very funny story about a very roundabout way for a young boy to convince mom that a dog is the best pet of all.
My favorite scene had to be the spaghetti in the bathtub, and also the playing with but not putting away toys, but every page of text and its illustration were funny and beautifully moved along the story.
Unfortunately, this might be a bit of a downer of a book for kids who desperately want a dog, or other pet, but whose yearning is not going to be met. So, maybe it’s a better book for kids who already have pets that they love, or kids who don’t have a special desire for a pet. Then it’s simply a fun and funny story with great pictures. Kids will appreciate how mom’s suggestion goes awry and how the little boy manages to get his wish fulfilled.
Given who is scared of who in this book, it might also be a good story choice for fearful children.
Great fun to read aloud.
November 27, 2019
A young boy, desperate for a canine companion, tries to convince his mother that dogs make the best pets of all, but she has a seemingly endless string of counter-arguments - dogs are messy, dogs are loud - and refuses. Finally, the boy asks if he can have a dragon, and little dreaming that this might be possible, his mother agrees, only to find her home invaded by a sunglasses-wearing pet whose blithe misbehavior casts any possible canine hi-jinks into the shade. Is it too late to opt for a dog, instead...?
A cute story, one that will appeal to any young reader who has longed for an animal companion - and especially for those who have wanted a dog - The Best Pet of All has a sense of mischief and humor that are very appealing. The artwork, done by Hanako Wakiyama, has a vintage sensibility that is quite charming. All in all, a sweet little book, one I would recommend to all young animal (or dragon) lovers!
A cute story, one that will appeal to any young reader who has longed for an animal companion - and especially for those who have wanted a dog - The Best Pet of All has a sense of mischief and humor that are very appealing. The artwork, done by Hanako Wakiyama, has a vintage sensibility that is quite charming. All in all, a sweet little book, one I would recommend to all young animal (or dragon) lovers!
July 9, 2022
Un hermoso libro infantil que te muestra lo bello y complicado que es tener una mascota.
August 2, 2021
I purchased some picture books with lovely artwork for my little nephew. I thought I’d read the stories in them before giving.
This story is cute. A boy says to his mom, “a dog is a good pet. “No,” she said. “Dogs are too messy.” She agrees that if he can find a dragon, he can bring it home as a pet. Well, it turns out that dragons are not only messy, they cause a lot of trouble. Mom tries to kick the dragon out, but he won’t leave!
“Too bad we do not have a dog.”
“Dragons do not like dogs”
The dragon looked worried.
“Dragons are afraid of dogs.”
It turns out a dog is the best pet of all. This was so clever and fun!
This story is cute. A boy says to his mom, “a dog is a good pet. “No,” she said. “Dogs are too messy.” She agrees that if he can find a dragon, he can bring it home as a pet. Well, it turns out that dragons are not only messy, they cause a lot of trouble. Mom tries to kick the dragon out, but he won’t leave!
“Too bad we do not have a dog.”
“Dragons do not like dogs”
The dragon looked worried.
“Dragons are afraid of dogs.”
It turns out a dog is the best pet of all. This was so clever and fun!
August 2, 2018
Oh, those dragons! Eating spaghetti in the bathtub! They can be troublesome pets. Subtle and broad humor.
Library copy
Library copy
November 1, 2018
I love David LaRochelle! For little ones who love dinosaurs and other pets, this is terrific.
December 12, 2018
"Mommy, I want a dog."
"No."
"Mommy, I want a buffalo."
"What??? NO."
"How about a dog, then?"
Actual quote from a 5-year-old girl.
"No."
"Mommy, I want a buffalo."
"What??? NO."
"How about a dog, then?"
Actual quote from a 5-year-old girl.
December 30, 2019
This is so cute. A little boy wants a dog but his mom says no. He asks for a dragon and she says yes thinking he will never find one. He does find one and it is a terror so they end up getting a dog to scare away the dragon.
November 22, 2017
Very cute. I loved the old school illustrations.
May 18, 2021
All the high ratings are confusing to me. This is a story about a little boy manipulating his mom 🤷♀️ the dragon illustration is adorable but the rest of it is a no. My kids did not care for it either. I think they were confused why I was reading it to them 😂
June 14, 2020
This is the story of a boy who really wants a pet dog, but his just won’t hear of it. He keeps asking but she keeps refusing, so one day he asks his mom if he can have a dragon instead. Huzzah! She agrees, if he can find a dragon then he can keep it, but dragons are really hard to find, but then one day he does, in the drug store, he has to promise to let the dragon play with his toys but eventually the dragon agrees. I don’t think mom’s going to like the dragon. Humorous and smartly drawn this is a great little tale.
June 14, 2016
This is a wonderful, imaginative book with beautiful illustrations.
The plot is a devious one - a boy desperately tries to convince his mother to get him a dog, but to no avail. She lets him have another pet, though, and he asks for a dragon. Little does mom know that this is a particularly irritating dragon and there's only one creature who can get rid of him. Can you guess who?
Our school library had the privilege of welcoming David LaRochelle who delighted us with his presentation about writer's craft, showed off the puppets for "The best pet of all", and even drew us a couple of stories on the spot, using the kids' suggestions. To say that this visit was a huge success would be an understatement.
But even if you haven't seen Mr. LaRochelle in person, his prose is so vivid and the illustrations are so delightful that you will feel like the author is reading the book to you.
Enjoy it with your kids!
The plot is a devious one - a boy desperately tries to convince his mother to get him a dog, but to no avail. She lets him have another pet, though, and he asks for a dragon. Little does mom know that this is a particularly irritating dragon and there's only one creature who can get rid of him. Can you guess who?
Our school library had the privilege of welcoming David LaRochelle who delighted us with his presentation about writer's craft, showed off the puppets for "The best pet of all", and even drew us a couple of stories on the spot, using the kids' suggestions. To say that this visit was a huge success would be an understatement.
But even if you haven't seen Mr. LaRochelle in person, his prose is so vivid and the illustrations are so delightful that you will feel like the author is reading the book to you.
Enjoy it with your kids!
December 7, 2016
Saw this in passing the bookshelf and had to read another book with a dragon for a pet, especially if LaRochelle wrote it. The pictures for this book are adorable. The story was fun with a humorous ending. I think the preschool kids would enjoy this in a storytime. May have to make them look close at the end so they can see the humor part--and for the younger may have to explain, but I still think they'll like it.
12/7/16 Used as opener in preschool "Silliness" theme. I did have to stop and explain the ending to them, but since it was the end it didn't throw off the rhythm. They very much enjoyed the story, and the pictures.
12/7/16 Used as opener in preschool "Silliness" theme. I did have to stop and explain the ending to them, but since it was the end it didn't throw off the rhythm. They very much enjoyed the story, and the pictures.
July 22, 2014
Very cute, and tongue-in-cheek. If you like the retro style of illustrations, you might also want to check out Chris Van Dusen and his If I Built a House and If I Built a Car, among others.
August 17, 2011
A clever boy wants a pet dog but his mom says no. After a few days, the boy asks his mom for a dragon. She agrees but soon regrets it. Can a pet dog be the solution to her dragon woes?
Clever story with illustrations resembling 1960s sitcoms.
Clever story with illustrations resembling 1960s sitcoms.
December 19, 2016
Read at Family Story Time on 3/28/11.
http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
June 7, 2011
The Best Pet (BOOK) of All! My favorite in the kid-wants-a-pet genre of picture books. Full review to follow at www.my3books.com later this month (June 2011).
Read
March 28, 2017Yet another example of failed parenting - this one is cute, though.
May 15, 2018
This really is a cute and funny story which shows that you should always be careful for what you wish for, because it might just come true.
January 2, 2025
A boy asks his mother for a dog. She says no.
The next day, he asks his mother for a dog again. She says no.
After his third time asking and her third time saying no, he decides to ask for a dragon for a pet instead. Mom says if he can find one he can keep it.
After finally finding one and convincing it to come home with him, it turns out that maybe dragons aren't the best pet after all. Then the boy tells his mother that dragons are scared of dogs, and finally she agrees that he can get a dog. When a dog knocks on the door in response to their "Dog Wanted" poster, the dragon grabs his hat and runs away! And the boy and his mother and their dog live happily ever after.
I really like books that show kids out-smarting their parents, tricking them into giving in to what they wanted from the start. This one was great.
The next day, he asks his mother for a dog again. She says no.
After his third time asking and her third time saying no, he decides to ask for a dragon for a pet instead. Mom says if he can find one he can keep it.
After finally finding one and convincing it to come home with him, it turns out that maybe dragons aren't the best pet after all. Then the boy tells his mother that dragons are scared of dogs, and finally she agrees that he can get a dog. When a dog knocks on the door in response to their "Dog Wanted" poster, the dragon grabs his hat and runs away! And the boy and his mother and their dog live happily ever after.
I really like books that show kids out-smarting their parents, tricking them into giving in to what they wanted from the start. This one was great.
November 26, 2020
Awwww, this is an adorable story.
The boy begs and begs his mom for a pet dog but she won’t let him have one. So instead he asks for a pet dragon. Because dragons aren’t real, she tells him “you can have one if you can find one.” So he actually does! Then the dragon causes all sorts of trouble!!!
The story is reminiscent of the Cat in the Hat coming to visit where instead of helping, he causes all sorts of unexpected trouble in the house of Sally and her brother. Trouble made in really silly ways!
The artistic style also reminded me of the 50’s or 60’s. Similar to the original Curious George where characters are drawn with dots for eyes and very simplistic facial features.
Overall, very pleasing aesthetics and a very cute story!
The boy begs and begs his mom for a pet dog but she won’t let him have one. So instead he asks for a pet dragon. Because dragons aren’t real, she tells him “you can have one if you can find one.” So he actually does! Then the dragon causes all sorts of trouble!!!
The story is reminiscent of the Cat in the Hat coming to visit where instead of helping, he causes all sorts of unexpected trouble in the house of Sally and her brother. Trouble made in really silly ways!
The artistic style also reminded me of the 50’s or 60’s. Similar to the original Curious George where characters are drawn with dots for eyes and very simplistic facial features.
Overall, very pleasing aesthetics and a very cute story!
April 17, 2018
I was recently looking at picture books about pets, and this one came to my attention for the first time. It's a delightful story with a great punch-line ending, if you pay careful attention to the illustrations.
What happens if your mom says you can have a dragon for a pet, if you can find one, after she's said "no" to a perfectly reasonable pet? What could possibly go wrong, after all?
Dragons are not the best or the most comfortable pets in the world, is all that I will say, and this book goes into some of the great reasons why.
This book is a real treat, and the illustrations were fascinating.
What happens if your mom says you can have a dragon for a pet, if you can find one, after she's said "no" to a perfectly reasonable pet? What could possibly go wrong, after all?
Dragons are not the best or the most comfortable pets in the world, is all that I will say, and this book goes into some of the great reasons why.
This book is a real treat, and the illustrations were fascinating.
June 4, 2024
I was trying to figure out if this was a metaphor for something, but I think it was just silly.
A boy wants a dog but his mother says No multiple times. So the boy asks if he can have a dragon. The mother says that if he can find a dragon, he can keep it. So he finds a dragon, but it's like a person, so why does it come home as a pet? The dragon is so poorly behaved that a dog doesn't seem that bad.
A boy wants a dog but his mother says No multiple times. So the boy asks if he can have a dragon. The mother says that if he can find a dragon, he can keep it. So he finds a dragon, but it's like a person, so why does it come home as a pet? The dragon is so poorly behaved that a dog doesn't seem that bad.
October 28, 2025
This was a very cute book that all students could relate to. Even if they don't have a dog they most likely have all asked for some type of pet at one point or another. It is such a cute story and the illustrations are fun and exciting and would keep students engaged. I would use this as a read aloud and would put this in my classroom library. I would suggest this be put in a 2nd-5th grade classroom.
May 13, 2017
A small boy wants to get a dog for a pet, his mother says no. But his mom tells him if he finds a dragon he can keep it. So the boy goes looking for a dragon until finally he finds one. Eventually mother realizes how much nicer a dog would be. A funny story that kindergarten will love to hear.
Recommend
Recommend
June 8, 2017
Relatable for many children who ask their parents for a pet. The main character in this picture book struggles to convince his mother to get a dog but is told there are too many complications with an animal. He then finds a dinosaur but realizes his mother was right all along. Pets are a lot of work. In the end the boy gets a dog and the dinosaur runs away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2020
My three year old LOVED this. And so did I. The decision for the illustration style to be randomly set in the 1950's was sort of out of left field but totally worked. The story is funny, and holds your attention to the end wondering what is going to happen for this kid and his quest for the right pet. Loved it - would recommend for all.
July 24, 2022
There was something that rubbed me the wrong way with the illustrations. The way too skinny mother showing her midriff, the two girls on the beach in bikinis, overall just not my taste. The story of a boy asking for a dog is the reason we checked this book out because it is the deepest desire of my oldest. Using a dragon to convince her is supposed to be funny but at the end felt deceptive.
January 27, 2025
A sweet book reflecting on a boy wanting a pet and how the mother eventually says - yup, you're right LOL. Ok, so maybe it's about parental defeat and just giving your smart-a kid what they wanted before they went through all the trouble of teaching you a lesson. It was a really cute book and it told a great story! I would highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews