Children Make Terrible Pets

Narrated by Emily Eiden, with rollicking music by Jack Sundrud and Rusty Young, this animated adaptation of the 2010 book by Peter Brown (honored as the New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year) won the 2012 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video. While singing and twirling her way through the forest, tutu-clad girl bear Lucy comes across the “cutest critter”: a young human boy. Taking him home to Mama, the high-energy Lucy swears to take responsibility for her new pet, “Squeaker.” At first, Lucy and Squeaker are inseparable; however, mounting irritants such as potty training troubles, ruined furniture, and tantrums, bring a twitch to Lucy's eye, along with the ultimate realization that Squeaker might be better off with his own kind. Animated by Soup2Nuts, the silly and sweet Children Make Terrible Pets—featuring a read-along option—also includes an interview with Brown. Highly recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)