What Pet Should I Get? By Dr Seuss : Uncovering A Never Before Seen Picture Book

“We want a pet. We want a pet. What kid of pet should we get?” So begins the newly uncovered Dr Seuss picture book What Pet Should I Get? 

Written by Ted Geisel (we know him as Dr Seuss) some fifty or so years ago but only discovered in 2013 by Audrey and Claudia Prescott (his secretary and friend) in the autumn of 2013, the publication of What Pet Should I Get?  was announced just as our little family was deciding on our own pet.

When I received our copy I  introduced the book to Miss N who immediately plonked down in our backyard and began reading. She noticed immediately that the children in the book go to the pet shop to find their perfect pet which initiated a conversation about how acquiring a pet has changed since the 50s to today. It prompted a discussion about rescue animals and the responsible sourcing of our animal friends.

There was laughter as we turned the pages with the boy and girl wanting every single animal that they see (sound familiar?) “What if we took one of each pet? Then our house would be full of the pets we would get. NO…Dad would be mad. We can only have one. If we do not choose, we will end up with NONE.” Which pet could they possibly choose with so many choices? Dr Seuss was able to perfectly encapsulate the stress and anxiety that comes with making such a big decision.

I was surprised when Miss N made the connection between What Pet Should I Get? and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. I actually missed this altogether. “Look Mummy, it’s the same boy and girl!” Spoiler: I think it helped her figure out the riddle at the end. See if your kids know their Dr Seuss books well enough to make this connection as well.  What a great book! The rhyming and lesson is perfect.

But what did we choose? In late February we welcomed a beautiful little West Highland Terrier into our family. We searched for his little man for a few months, ensuring we found an ethical breeder (no pet shop for us). We look forward to telling you all about our upcoming adventures.

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr Seuss, wrote his first picture book in 1937 and has sold over 650 million books worldwide. His list of awards is lengthy and includes a Pulitzer Prize, an Academy Award, three Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards, and three Caldecott Honors. No doubt you have at least one book penned by Dr Seuss on your bookshelf. Theodor Geisel passed away on September 24, 1991 but his books continue to provide joy to children and adults alike.

What Pet Should I Get? by Dr Seuss is available at all good bookshops including Booktopia. 

What Pet Should I Get? Book Giveaway

Thanks to HarperCollins Children’s Books, Australia we have one copy of What Pet Should I Get? by Dr Seuss in hardback for one lucky reader.

Competition closed. Winner: Emily Hawker

Terms and conditions: The KidBucketList What Pet Should I Get? giveaway is a game of skill. The competition opens, 4 March, 2016 at 6.00 am EST and closes on Friday, 18 March at 6.59 pm EST. One entry per person. Australian entries only. Participants must provide a valid email address and answer the question in the comment form to be eligible. One (1) entrant will win a What Pet Should We Get? book RRP$19.99. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to. All entrants must follow the instructions provided. KidBucketList reserves the right to change the dates of the promotion if required. Also, if there are compelling technical or administrative reasons which we cannot control, KidBucketList can cancel or modify the promotion. Notice of any changes to the promotion will be given at www.kidbucketlist.com.au. The winner will be notified by email and their name will be published on KidBucketList. KidBucketList reserves the right to select an alternate winner if we determine in its sole discretion that the winner/s do not adequately satisfy these terms and conditions. Prizes are not transferable and not redeemable for cash. The prize winner is responsible for any expenses, fees and costs connected with the prizes that are not included in the prize descriptions. KidBucketList and their promotional partners are not responsible for any loss or damage in relation to the prize once it has been awarded. All entries become the property of KidBucketList. Once submitted, your entry will not be returned to you. In return for entering the competition you grant KidBucketList a worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable licence in perpetuity to reproduce, publish, adapt, communicate and broadcast all or part of your entry in any media for the purposes of this competition and inclusion in KidBucketList branded products and marketing materials. KidBucketList will use the personal information contained in your entry to conduct the promotion, and award the prize. If you win a prize, KidBucketList can use your name to credit you for your entry and for marketing purposes. Prizes must be claimed within 48 hours of notification at which time an alternate winner will be chosen and announced.