If Pets Wrote Poems: A Parody Collection

by Susan Johnston Taylor, Sandie Sonke (Illustrator)

From the award-winning author of ANIMALS IN SURPRISING SHADES comes another one-of-a-kind poetry collection written from the viewpoint of the pets of historically famous poets.

Read about Benjamin Franklin in an ode written by Mungo, his pet squirrel, or a new version of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven, as imagined by his cat, Catterina. Packed with facts about historical and literary figures and their pets, this collection of poems will have young readers returning for more ... and writing a poem or two of their own. Each spread contains at least one poem from a different poet, written in the unique style of each poet (or, in this case, their pet!), that is sure to have children and caregivers alike enjoying a laugh and looking with new eyes upon their own favorite pets.

Filled with bright, engaging illustrations and a fun assortment of animal characters, this book is the perfect combination of history and poetry that will inspire curiosity and encourage an early love for poetry. It's the perfect addition to elementary school classrooms and libraries, as well as a fun read-aloud for storytime and bedtime.

Genres: Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 14, 2026

Reviews

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun idea and I'm definitely up for more. The poems are so clever in how they show different sides of the pets' owners, and they're also just fun on their own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Pets Wrote Poems by Susan Johnston Taylor is a collection of poetry authored by famous historical individuals' pets. The poems are funny and entertaining. Each poem combines a parody of famous poems written by pets of famous people such as Dr. Suess and Margaret Wise Brown. This unique combination of poetry will encourage young children to a love of poetry. For instance, the collection features a poem by Edgar Allan Poe's cat, titled "The Raven," where the feline muses over never-ending quests for treats and the mysterious allure of the moonlit night. This playful twist on Poe's classic work is sure to captivate young readers and spark their imagination. The poems are written in a playful and whimsical style, capturing the voice and personality of each pet. Rhymes and rhythms are cleverly crafted to mimic the original works while adding a humorous twist. This approach makes the poems both engaging and accessible for young readers, sparking their interest in poetry. Humor makes poetry more relatable and enjoyable for children, drawing them in with laughter and curiosity. It helps to break down any barriers or intimidation they might feel towards poetry, making it more approachable. By associating poetry with fun and amusement, children are more likely to develop a lasting interest in reading and exploring other poetic works. Parody serves as an entry point for understanding traditional poetry by highlighting the structure, themes, and styles of the original works in a humorous context. By engaging with these playful renditions, children can begin to recognize the patterns and literary devices used in classic poetry. This familiarity not only demystifies traditional poems but also enhances their appreciation and comprehension of more serious literary pieces. Parody poems thus serve as an effective tool to introduce children to the world of poetry, fostering both enjoyment and understanding.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun. Just plain ol' fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed this parody collection of poems credited to the writer's pets. Although I have to admit to not being fully familiar with the writings of all the writers showcased here, it was fun to learn about them through the eyes of their pets. Did you know Ben Franklin had a pet squirrel named Mungo? We get Mungo's supposed take on its human's adventures with a kite and lightning. I do think my favorite parody may have been by Catterina, Edgar Allen Poe's cat simply for the ending. You're even encouraged to sing one of the poems to the tune of that pet's owner's contribution to America's national song selection. And, oh, I don't want to list them all by know you'll enjoy Dr. Seuss' Sam-I-Am as told by his Yorkshire terrier Sam, who is actually a Samantha.

The book is set up with each spread featuring a different poet/pet. You get the parody poem and a bit about the human side of that partnership. Nothing long winded, hence easily digested by young minds. Heck, even the brief bits about the writers offer up humor, as do the illustrations. While not realistic, they are colorful and, well, fun, with the pet supposedly being quoted easily recognizable. Well, if you know what, say, a wombat is. In other words you're getting a bit of poetry with a side of history. There's a list of picture books available for the poets/writers spotlighted as well as a select list of the works cited at the end. Even if you aren't particularly familiar with the wordsmiths, it's a great way to introduce them to yourself and young readers. Thanks #GnomeRoadPublishing for allowing me this early peek at what was a fun, lively read. Rather wish I'd had this in my teaching days, gotta admit.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I absolutely loved this book. Poetry isn’t a genre I normally gravitate towards, even though I admire poets greatly…I could never write a great poem; however, Susan Johnston Taylor has approached poetry in such a unique and entertaining way that I couldn’t help but be charmed.

This book will, without a doubt, ignite curiosity about various authors through the perspective of their pets.
This children’s poetry book features poems written by pets. For example, Flush, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's cocker spaniel, writes “To Elizabeth, My Person” in the style of Browning’s “To Flush, My Dog.” Naturally, students will want to find Browning's poem to read more about Flush.
In another poem , apparently, Jack Kerouac owned a Persian Cat named Tyke. Tyke writes a poem called “One Mouse,” modelled after Kerouac's “One Flower.” Did I look up “One Flower”? Yes, I did.
And then there is my favourite, a poem written by Edgar Allan Poe’s Cat named Catterina, named “The Raven” written in the style of, yes, you guessed it, “The Raven”. Love, love, loved it.
In my opinion, this book would be a wonderful addition to any classroom, from the earliest grades up to grade twelve. Featuring poems about the pets of their poets, it offers a unique and engaging way to inspire a love for poetry.
This book will be published in March 2026 —put it in your cart now for a wonderful surprise in the spring.
Thank you to Gnome Road Publishing and Netgalley for the copy.

[Kris Tarantino · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF PETS WROTE POEMS by Susan Johnston Taylor is a kid-appealing collection of history meets poetry. Each poem is “authored” by the pets of historically famous people. From Dr. Seuss’ Yorkshire Terrier named Samantha, and Edgar Allen Poe’s cat named Catterina, to Beatrix Potter’s lizard named Judy, kids will be introduced to fun and engaging poetry. Each poem is cleverly written and accompanied with whimsical illustrations by Sandie Sonke. In addition, back-matter is found on each page. Perfect for teachers, elementary school libraries, and anybody looking to expand their personal poetry collection. Highly recommend.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant and fun book of poems! First, I've got to say that my favorite is the one written by Edgar Allen Poe's cat! I snorted when I reached the end of it. So perfect (and macabre😁)! But all of these poems, written by the pets of famous authors (including Ben Franklin's pet squirrel, Mungo) are perfect for kids and will most likely send them imagining the poems that their own pets would write. The biographical snippets about each famous person and their pet will make each a bit more "real" for kids, too. Not just a name in a history book. Plus, the illustrations by Sandie Sonke add their own layer of humor. Great book!

[Maria Antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! So clever. Take a bunch of famous poets. Now, what would happen if their pets wrote poems to rival/mimic their famous works that have come down to us? Like Edgar Allen Poe? It's not the raven that writes a poem. It's his cat, Catterina. (But the raven does come into it!!) And that's just one example.

I love how each poem includes a little bio of the poet. This would make for a wonderful unit in any classroom on poetry and a little bit of history.

(I received an advanced copy of this story for review purposes. My thoughts are entirely my own.)

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this book. Also, all the information was helpful for teachers who wanted to start with a poetry lesson then branch off to a biography of a famous person. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the illustrations or most of the poems. Maybe if the pets were less cartoony and more realistic, I would have liked it more. Sorry.
"The Gallery of Cats" by Ruth Brown did a similar thing, but instead of poetry it was art. I preferred that book.

[Claire Sylvestre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about poetry for children. The poems are written by the pets of historically famous poets.
The approach is clever and light enough to initiate children to poetry and history.
The poems are short and cute as are the illustrations. It may be a good starting point for children to discover poetry!

Thank you NetGalley and Gnome Road Publishing for the ARC of IF PETS WROTE POEMS, A Parody Collection.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to introduce poetry to children! Pets have written a parody in the same style of famous historical poets. Some of them are so cute and funny. Some poets we see are Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Edgar Allan Poe, and many more. Love the idea of this and could see teachers using this in the classroom.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kelsey Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF PETS WROTE POEMS is a clever collection of parody poems written by the pets of famous poets. Readers are introduced to a variety of styles of poetry and different literary figures throughout history. The illustrations are playful, and the poems are well-crafted and creative! Kids will be inspired to learn more about poets and try their own hand at writing poetry. A perfect pick for classroom use as well as home bookshelves!

[Brandi Uyemura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliantly written book that's both fascinating to read aloud and also intriguing to learn little tidbits through the imagined eyes of famous writers' pets. It's the kind of book that you want to read and read again. The writing was beautiful and clever, and I loved that kids can have fun reading these poems and then learning about each pet's famous owners. Such a great idea and wonderfully done!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in this book for my Two-Year-old. It was not appropriate for her and did not hold her interest. It had way too many words. Some of the story was in such a small font I had a hard time reading it. I think this would be for 8 years old and up.
I received this galley from NetGalley.

[Megan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed "If Pets Wrote Poems: A Parody Collection" by Susan Johnston Taylor. My favorite story from the entire book was written by Edgar Allan Poe's cat! From the lovable pets of Margaret Wise Brown and Dr. Seuss, this hilarious collection of poems will keep your kiddos giggling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gnome Road Publishing for the advanced copy!

[Donna Marx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of poems written from the perspective of a variety of pets. Each is rooted in a historical context, creating a unique learning opportunity for children. There are a variety of poetic styles that add interest. If Pets Wrote Poems would be a perfect tool for educators teaching a unit on poetry.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF PETS WROTE POEMS is a hilarious and clever collection of parody poems as written by the pets of historical and literary figures. It’s interesting, brilliantly written, and beautifully illustrated! Perfect for any young poet or animal lover!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book. It is amazing how the author can write a parody of famous poems from the pets' angle. "The Raven" got me laughing out loud. It comes complete with a short fact file on each of the featured poets. The illustration is on point too.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hilarious and clever poetry-meets-history concept: classic writers’ pets “writing” poems in their styles. From Poe to Brontë to Neruda, it's a playful introduction to famous authors and literary tone—plus charming illustrations. Fun for kids, and a sneaky literature primer for parents to enjoy too.

Thank you to NetGalley, Susan Johnston Taylor, Sandie Sonke (illustrator), and Gnome Road Publishing for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

If Pets Wrote Poems will be published March 10, 2026.

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is fantastic. The poem is cute. I wish I could relate to it more. Perhaps there are types of poems that will speak to you more. This perhaps is too sophisticated for me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Gnome Read Publishing, for the ARC!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the pets of famous writers wrote poems, what would they write? Find out in this delightful poem compilation! This adorably illustrated book is jam-packed with imaginative poems and facts about the real-life pets of writers. A pleasure to read!

[Neha Rawat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious collection of parody poems written by the pets of historical personalities. It has super cute illustrations and is perfect for kids who love poetry, history, or animals!

[Candace Spizzirri · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Pets Wrote Poems: A Parody Collection is a clever and charming picture book by award-winning author Susan Johnston Taylor. This delightful collection introduces young readers (ages 6 to 8) to poetry through the imaginative lens of famous poets’ pets. Each poem is a humorous parody of a literary classic—reimagined from the perspective of the poet’s animal companion.
Kids will giggle at Benjamin Franklin’s squirrel Mungo’s take on Alas! Poor Mungo, Edgar Allan Poe’s cat retelling The Raven, and Dr. Seuss’ miniature Yorkshire terrier offering a twist on Green Eggs and Ham, among many others. With 16 witty reinterpretations, this book is a playful gateway to poetry and literary history.
Illustrated by Sandi Sonke, the artwork is vibrant, expressive, and perfectly suited for young audiences. A must-have for libraries, classrooms, and family bookshelves alike!