Children Make Terrible Pets
By Peter Brown
The Story
A young bear named Lucy finds a boy in the woods and, against her mother's warning that children make terrible pets, brings him home to keep as her very own — naming him Squeaker.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's begged for a pet and promised to take care of everything, this flips the script and lets them see the whole business from the other side of the leash.
- Big idea: Taking care of another creature — even one who bites and misbehaves — means learning patience, responsibility, and where to draw the line.
- Vibes: Playful, funny, a little mischievous, with a knowing wink for grown-ups.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy role-reversal humor
- like to act out taking care of a pet
- are working on understanding responsibility
- love stories that make them laugh out loud
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Lucy's mom warned her that children make terrible pets?
- Imagination: If you found a boy in the woods like Lucy did, what would you name him?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Squeaker felt about being kept as a pet?
- Real-life connection: What do you do to take care of your pet, or what would you do if you had one?
- Big-picture thinking: Do you think children really do make terrible pets? Why or why not?
