We all love our pets and this year's theme "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales" promises to be warm and fuzzy.  From pet rocks to pet dogs or cats, we all remember our first experience of having a pet.  In the manual, you will find lots of program ideas and book suggestions for all ages on a variety of warm and furry creatures.

CHAPTER 1: Planning
CHAPTER 2: Promotion
CHAPTER 3: The Perfect Pet For Me   

About the chapter - Can we get a puppy, or cat, or rat…. please?  Most, if not all, children want a pet at some point during their childhood. Explore the themes of wanting a pet, choosing a pet and caring for a pet this summer.  Be sure to make responsible pet ownership a part of any program.  This year’s theme offers so many opportunities to involve or collaborate with other community organizations, clubs, and even businesses.  You and your library will benefit from these collaborations through increased good will (pet food drives, etc.), and library visibility (cooperative programs). 

If I only had a pet… (Adapt for various ages)
Which pet for me?  (Preschool, Primary)
Choosing a pet series (Primary, Intermediate, Families)
Lost and Found (Preschool Primary)
Petpourri:  More ideas for expanding the perfect pet for me

CHAPTER 4: What a Pet!

About the chapter - We all think our pets are special.  Explore the world of some very special pets this summer, from the outrageous to the heroic, from working pets to therapy animals. End your summer with a “What a Pet! Pet Show.”

Super Animal Helpers (Adapt for various ages)
Animals to the Rescue (Pre, Pri)
Animal Heroes:  True Stories of Heroic Animals (Pri, Int)
A Pet for Me? Make a Pet Craft Program (Pri)
Super Pets Need Super Toys (Pri, Int)
Read to Your Dog (Various ages)
What a Pet! Pet Show (All Ages)

Petpourri:More Ideas for Expanding What a Pet!
More Famous Pets
Storybook Pets Gallery
Amazing Pet Tricks
The Best Pet Stories Book Club (Pri)
Pet Inventions (Pri, Int) 

CHAPTER 5: Fins, Feathers, and Furballs

Pets come in all shapes and sizes.  Have fun with fishy, furry and feathery pets in the programs in this chapter.

Something Fishy (Pre, Pri)
Fur and Feathers (Pre, Pri)
Slink and Slither (Pri)
Peter Rabbit and Friends (Pre, Pri)
Puppy Love (Pre)
Confused Canines (Pre, Pri)
Hamster Hop (Pri, Int)
One Pet, Many Owners (Pri, Int)
Think Like a Dog, Think Like a Cat (Int)

Petpourri: More Ideas to Expand Fins, Feathers and Furballs
Rats:  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Aquarium Contest
Saltwater Aquarium

CHAPTER 6: Wild and Tame and In-Between

Children who live on farms or ranches become attached to their cows, goats, horses and sheep.  They raise and care for them for 4-H programs and other activities.  They may not curl up on the couch with them but are connected to them.  There are ways of connecting to wild animals, too, whether it is by having a “backyard” pet such as a ladybug or butterfly or  “adopting” a wild animal to help for its care in a zoo or sanctuary. Finally, children may look forward to the upcoming school year after they have read stories about the antics of some memorable classroom pets.

Backyard Bugs (Pre, Pri)
Piggie Wiggies (Pre)
Calling all Hogs! (Multiage)
Horsing Around (Pre, Pri)
Cow Capers (Adapt for various ages)
Goats Are Great (Pre, Pri)
Farm Fun Day (Pre, Pri)
Class Pets (Pri, Int)
Animal Adoption (Multiage)

Petpourri:  More Ideas to Expand Wild, Tame and In-Between

CHAPTER 7: Imagine That! 

About the chapter - This chapter is dedicated to children who either cannot have a pet or are limited in the kind of pet they can own. As you will see, there are lots of alternatives:  virtual pets, pet rocks, magical pets, fantastic pets, imaginary pets and everyday plush toy animal pets.  An imaginative child can find lots of ways to acquire a pet!

S-sssay, Who’s That? (Pre)
Buddies to Cuddle (Pre)
Imaginary Pets: As Good as the Real Thing (Pre)
Magical Pets:  Flying Cats   (Pri)
Fantasy Pets:  Dragons (Pri)
Calvin and Hobbes (Int)
Kids Choice Awards (Int)

Petpourri:  more ideas for programs about imaginary pets
Virtual pets
Pet rocks
You animal you—people who turn into animals

CHAPTER 8: Imaginary & Stuffed Pets, etc.

Children's Artist for 2006: David Shannon David is a writer and illustrator of highly praised books for children such as How Georgie RadbournSaved Baseball, a New York Times Book ReviewBest Illustrated Book of the Year; The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza, an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists; and A Bad Case of Stripes, a selection of the Junior Library Guild. His most recent book is the Caldecott Honor Book, No, David! The sequel, David Goes to School, was published in September 1999. Shannon has also illustrated several critically acclaimed books, including Julius Lester's How Many Spots Does a Leopard Have?, an ALA Notable Children's Book, and Audrey Wood's The Bunyans. Born in Washington, D.C., Shannon grew up in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, with a fine arts degree, and then moved to New York City where he continued his illustration work. His editorial illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, Time, and Rolling Stone, and his artwork has graced a number of book jackets. ALA's Book Links: April/May 2001 (v.10, no.5)