All the Pets Allowed
(Blackberry Farm 2)
by Adele Griffin (Author)
LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)
August 31, 2021
Algonquin Young Readers
Blurb:
New dog, no tricks!
Becket Branch has one birthday wish—a dog! Dogs are outgoing and friendly, and they live life loud, just like Becket. Becket’s twin, Nicholas, wants a pet more like him—a peaceful, quiet indoor cat. When their parents take them to the shelter to choose a dog and a cat, it should be Becket’s biggest BEAUTIFUL ALERT ever. But Becket’s dream dog, Dibs, turns out to be a super-shy scaredy-pooch. Meanwhile, Nicholas’s kitty, Given, loves being the center of attention and greeting visitors to Blackberry Farm.
Can Becket and Nicholas learn how to love Dibs and Given as they are—even if they aren’t exactly the pets the twins dreamed of?
With black-and-white drawings throughout by award-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham (Real Friends), this second volume of the Blackberry Farm series offers a gentle message about embracing new friends who may not match preconceived expectations.
Purchase Links:
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Beautiful Alert! Irrepressible, indomitable, ever-joyous Becket Branch is back in All the Pets Allowed the latest entry in the Blackberry Farms series written by Adele Griffin and illustrated by LeUyen Pham.
Turning 10 on 10/10? That’s a once in a lifetime experience and Becket is hoping for the greatest birthday party to celebrate her and her twin Nicholas’ tenth birthday. For the birthday wish, Becket agrees (not a typo 😉 ) they should both blow out the sparklers on their cake and wish for the present: a dog! But Nicholas who is as much of an introvert as Becket is an extrovert secretly wishes for a cat, a pet who will be quiet and love him. When they set out for the rescue, what will the pet be: Dog, dog, dog! from Becket. Cat, cat, cat! from Nicholas. Both, both, both! Lucky kids!
Nicholas’ choice is a tiger-striped cat who he names Given. Becket’s is a young dog she names Dibs. While Given becomes the star, Dibs is a bit of a scaredy-cat. How did they end up with pets the opposite of what they’d hoped for?
All the Pets Allowed made me smile! Adele Griffin has imbued Becket with so much internal joy that I don’t know how a reader could not feel the glow while reading. The family interactions are warm-hearted and open, and I just loved the family dynamic that Adele has created. They are a loving family with their own humorous quirks. While Becket sometimes comes across like a steamroller, she also possess an intuition about people that is pretty impressive.
The illustrations by LeUyen Pham are so cute and funny and just a delight to see. I, of course, especially loved her dog illustrations, but she is so good at them all.
All the Pets Allowed is one great big Beautiful Alert! and I’m so glad to have experienced it!
The recommended age group is grades 2-6, but frankly anyone needing a spot of happiness should read this book.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
rating:
5 out of 5 butterflies
My review of The Becket List from April 2, 2019.
I’m always looking for animal books to send to grandkids (after I read them, of course), and this looks like a good one. Thanks for the review!
Maggie, I thought this was just delightful and excellent for any kids who like animals and even those who don’t. I don’t know if you saw my other review but there is a first book in the series. I hope they enjoy!