Neighborhood Fun

Ezra Jack Keats lives in a neighborhood where there is always something going on. This time, it's a pet show. The book begins, "Everyone was talking about the pet show...," which gives you the impression of a bunch of kids, all different ages, sitting on the steps to their home, talking about what each one would bring to the neighborhood pet show. Pet Show is about just that--each kid bringing their pet to be inspected and judged. Each pet is unique, and everyone gets an award. Archie, our hero, initially plans to bring his cat; however, the story takes an interesting turn and Archie creatively solves the problem.

Why we like this book: The language of Pet Show is simple and easy to read and understand. Mr. Keats was gifted in his ability to tell a story in a very efficient manner that was still descriptive and interesting to hear and read. Pet Show features Mr. Keat's famous character, Peter, from The Snowy Day and Peter's Chair (among other stories), and Peter is now more grown up compared to the thoughtful and young Archie, his neighbor and friend. This is a neat quality to some of Keat's books--the kids all live in the neighborhood, and we get to know them through one story or another, so the names of several of the kids become familiar as you read each Keat's book. The artwork, also by Mr. Keats, uses lots of warm colors, which I liken to the feel of brick buildings in a city neighborhood. Splashes of color may indicate hidden alleys or bits of trash in the street, but an inviting city nonetheless, with lots of kids and an activity or two to interrupt the usual routine~like a neighborhood Pet Show.