A Pet for Miss Wright

K-Gr 3—Because writing is a lonely occupation, Miss Wright seeks the perfect pet to keep her company. The mynah, monkey, fish, hamster, and cat do not live up to her expectations, so she decides that she is finished with pets. The man at the pet store insists she try a dog, and Miss Wright finds him to be the ideal companion. He lets her know with kisses, howls, and other behavior how much he likes her stories, and when the words just do not sound right, the two take long walks to think of better ideas. With her new pet's help, the woman completes a manuscript that is accepted for publication. Cartoon illustrations keep the story lighthearted, although busy patterns on the materials in Miss Wright's house and between pages, along with a lack of unifying colors, diminish the visual appeal. The text may be of particular interest for students studying authors.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD