PET BOY

For those times when it is forgotten that a pet is not a toy, Graves provides a pointed little cautionary tale. Young Stanley is a pet collector. "He purchased them in singles / and matching colored sets. / Big or small, wet or dry, / he loved to buy new pets." He also has a tendency to forget their existence after playing with them for awhile. Comes the day that he gets a taste of his own medicine. While shopping in an "undiscovered shop," he gets captured, sent to a far galaxy, and sold as a pet. His owner is a nice enough, three-eyed chap, but, robbed of his freedom, fed pretty dreadful pet grub, and encouraged to do silly tricks, Stanley is one unhappy puppy. He makes a break for it, gets thrown in the pound, is saved by his three-eyed owner, and sent back to planet Earth after he pleads his case. " 'Thanks,' said Stanley. 'You saved my life. / Friends like you are few. / But I'm not happy in this jar, / or living here with you.' ” Once home, his pets are not especially joyous about his return, but he does right by them and they decide to stay. Graves's artwork is corny but also bursting with color and a host of strange creatures. The verse a jaunty affair, but it's the pictures that will appeal the most. Certainly a very useful book to have on hand when a chorus of avoidance meets the dog's desire for dinner and a scratch behind the ear. (Picture book 5-8)