Pet Show!

Loved it. Ezra Jack Keats has all of our votes. His images are kidlike- in that they make sense to the kids, and they are high quality and cleaver as well. The writing of this book is cool, calm and perfect. It is easy to sit back and enjoy Keats and his beautiful characters Archie and Peter in this classic. Pet Show is about a place where there will be a judging of all the neighborhood pets, however Archie's pet Cat (the star from HI, Cat!) is missing. His mom tries to help him understand that Cat is not that reliable and cannot be asked to know when to appear for the show. Archie ends up staying home while Peter and the rest of his friends gather up their pets and head off to win some prizes. You'll have to read the rest on your own, as I wouldn't want to spoil the clever ending for anyone! It is pretty cute, the boys and I sat and enjoyed the story just as much as the artwork in this book. I tremble at admitting this, but this is my first Ezra Jack Keats book! Yes, I know this isn't even the one that I see everywhere, The Snowy Day is THAT book.

This book by Ezra Jack Keats was first published in 1972. Along with his other books, Peter's Chair, Jennie's Hat, Goggles!,and The Snowy Day again proves that a story with beautiful illustrations is timeless. The characters are real and endearing. This is a must have for your children's library.

Archie wants to enter his cat in the neighborhood pet show - but the cat's vanished. Though all the kids search for him, he's nowhere to be found. But Archiekeeps looking. And the pet he finally brings isn't the cat, but one of the most surprising ever.

It's the day of the neighborhood pet show, and Archie plans to take his cat. But where IS the cat? Archie can't find it, so Peter, Roberto, and Susie reluctantly go to the pet show without him. Ensuring that each contestant is a winner, the judges give out blue ribbons to everyone, creating categories on the fly, such as "cat with the longest whiskers," "friendliest fish," etc. Archie finally arrives, but an old woman shows up just as Archie is displaying his hasty last-second entry (a jar, containing a germ). Beside the old woman is Archie's cat. The old woman is given the blue ribbon for displaying the cat. Archie displays good humor and grace. The old woman offers the blue ribbon to Archie, but he insists that she keep it. Archie and his friends all enjoy themselves.Like most of Ezra Jack Keats' books, _Pet Show_ is populated with children and adults of several ethnicities, but primarily African-American. The book design is marvelous. Basically the book looks like _A Letter To Amy_ and _Whistle for Willie_.My son and I read this one all the time. He's almost 2 1/2 years old, and while I expect that most children are enjoying this at age 4 and age 5, my son thoroughly loves it. When we reach the section where Archie is late for the pet show, he almost can't contain himself until he sees Archie's silhouette racing along, jar in hand, and he belts out "Here Goes Archie!"-- _Pet Show_ is a winner.Ken32

I liked this book because of its colorful illustrations that enliven the story. The stories that Ezra Jack Keats write are so good to use for children to relate to. I recomend his books to teachers to use in bibliotherapy and for just anyone to read. I also have read "Peter's Chair" and again just as in all his other books you find real life situations in relation to life. Then there's his wonderfull illustrations.