Melvin and the Boy

PreS-Gr 2—An unnamed boy longs for a pet. At the park he finds a turtle that, unlike other proposed pets, is not too big, not too much work, and not too noisy. His parents allow him to bring Melvin home, but he stays in his shell and shows no interest in playing or taking a walk, although he does seem to enjoy swimming in the bathtub. The child concludes, "I don't think Melvin likes it here. I wonder if he misses his friends…." Next morning, the family members return Melvin to the park and make plans to visit him there. The story demonstrates the incompatibility of a wild animal with a human household and encourages readers to enjoy these creatures in their natural habitats. Acetone transfer with markers and watercolor are used to create opaque, thick-lined sketches with a charming old-fashioned feel. The narrator lives in an urban multicultural neighborhood that has a timeless look to it. The simplicity of the illustrations effectively conveys the straightforward story. This is a realistic and useful look at human/animal interactions.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

A boy desperately wants a pet. His parents veto every suggestion until, remarkably, they approve his acquisition of a wild turtle from the park. Castillo's expressive art sets the boy in a friendly, bustling cityscape and deftly conveys his longing for an animal friend, joy at achieving that goal, and realization that a wild animal shouldn't be cooped up in an apartment.