LUNA’S GREEN PET
By: Kirsten Pendreigh
Illustrated by: Carmen Mok
Published: August 30, 2022
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Fiction
Luna has always wanted a pet, but the apartment she lives in has strict rules about pets…even goldfish thanks to Mr. Cousteau. She and her friends try to come up with some type of pet that would work for her and her family in their apartment.
Until one day, she spies something in the trash bin and takes it home. Luna gives it a new bed, some fresh water, and lots of love. What do you think Luna has found for a new pet? A beautiful, sweet-smelling Jasmine plant. Luna cares for her plant much like she would any other pet. She reads to it, she walks it, and she trims it. Eventually, Luna’s plant, Stephanie, gives her the most amazing surprise.
As a fellow plant mom, I loved Luna’s dedication to her plant. Caring for a plant is a great way to introduce responsibility and chores to a young child. Starting with some easy plants or ones that produce blooms or food offers a nice reward for good caretaking. The author lists some helpful information at the end of the book including:
- Why Houseplants Make Great Pets
- Ten Easy Plants for Your First Green Pet
- More about Stephanie (Luna’s Jasmine Plant)
- Owning Your Won Stephanotis (Jasmine)
The illustrations show Luna’s joy on the pages as she cares for Stephanie, her plant. The author shares the importance of caring for something, a pet, a stuffed animal, or maybe a plant as a crucial part of living in a community and maybe, if you decide to care for a plant, you might just be able to share it with others.
Kirsten Pendreigh is a poet and children’s author and a former broadcast journalist and producer with NPR and CBC. She lives in British Columbia, Canada. For more, check out her website, HERE.
Carmen Mok is an award-winning illustrator whose books include GRANDMOTHER’S VISIT and TOUGH LIKE MUM. She lives in Ontario, Canada. For more, check out her website, HERE.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Carmen Mok, Children's books, fiction, Kirsten Pendreigh, plants