FICTION

Ah-Choo!

by Gloria G. Adams
KOEHLER, Lana Wayne & . Ah-Choo! illus. by Ken Min. 40p. Sterling. Mar. 2016. Tr $14.95. ISBN 9781454914150.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—A boy is on a quest for a new pet and brings home a menagerie of animals in alphabetical order, from an antelope to a zebra and, seemingly, everything in between. But unfortunately, each creature he brings home just makes his sister sneeze, until he has the idea for the perfect pet—a bearded dragon with no feathers, fur, or hair. The zany illustrations integrate nicely and add humor to the text, giving this romp an enjoyable Seussical cadence. Although this title doesn't really work as a concept book, the rhyming text coupled with the repeated refrain of "Ah-Choo!" would make for a fun read-aloud.
VERDICT Pair this title with Emma Dodd's What Pet to Get (Scholastic, 2008) and David LaRochelle's The Best Pet of All (Dutton, 2004) for a lively creature-filled storytime.
Reviewed by Jessica Marie, Salem Public Library, OR
From Antelope to Zebra, a boy tests an alphabet of animals to find a pet that won't trigger his sister's allergies. A featherless, furless, hairless lizard fits the bill. Expressive animals and explosive sneezes of escalating intensity entertain but also distract readers from the book's concept, making this best suited for older audiences. The singsongy text and dynamic illustrations deliver a diverse menagerie.
 , Mar 01, 2016

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