View source for The Pet Itch by Elli Woollard and Elina Ellis

{{infobox2
|title=The Pet Itch
|sort=Pet Itch, The
|author=Elli Woollard and Elina Ellis
|reviewer=Margaret Young
|genre=For Sharing
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-1848861077 
|pages=32
|publisher=Maverick 
|date=July 2013
|aznuk=1848861079
|aznus=1848861079
|cover=1848861079
|website=
|video=
|summary=For every child who enjoys getting one over on the grown ups - and I haven't met one who didn't.
}}
Most children want a pet at some point. Mossy Monster wants a pet itch more than anything else in the world. But his family (refreshingly consisting of a Granny, an Uncle and a sister) have all sorts of reasons why he shouldn't have one and his sister just seems to delight in tormenting him  - as sisters do. But Sister comes though in the end with a crafty plan that will help Mossy get the Itch of his dreams, and make sure the grown ups do all the work as well. There is never a dull moment in this book with temper tantrums, rude rhymes and absolutely delightful illustrations. The best part of all though is the way the adults are so easily bamboozled.

My sons both enjoyed it. My four year old especially enjoyed the screaming tantrums (although perhaps our neighbour didn't as this book is ever so much more fun with a bit of screaming and stomping of your own). He loved the illustration with plenty of poo, and the very naughty ending. My oldest took a very wicked delight in the adults' misfortune. I liked the fact that this shows a less traditional family, not that I mind old fashioned families - I live in one. I do know that many children who do live with a Grandparent or other relative benefit from seeing this in books now and then as well though. It is good for children to know that families come in all shapes and sizes, all that matters is that they love each other. I also liked the rhyming text which helps develop phonemic awareness, a critical skill in emergent literacy. But most of all, just like the children I enjoyed the wonderful illustrations and the delightfully wicked wit in this book. This book earns five stars from all of us.

If this book appeals then we can also recommend:

[[Tyrannosaurus Drip by Julia Donaldson]]

[[Troll Swap by Leigh Hodgkinson]]

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[[Category:Elli Woollard]]
[[Category:Elina Ellis]]
[[Category:Children's Rhymes and Verse|Pet Itch]]