The animals at Critters animal shelter all hope to be adopted, but never as much as at Christmas. Placido, the one-eyed Siamese cat, is adopted but with his sour attitude everybody expects him back in no time. Catherine, the retired greyhound, is adopted for Christmas and hopes that the adoption will last longer. Even Marshall, the king snake, is hoping for a young boy to understand him and want to hold him. Kerr’s book is fun because it describes what goes on in the brains of animals, and gives them stories and personalities like real people. One critique of this book is that there are many characters and they can become difficult to keep track of. Still, if kids can keep track of the characters and the many storylines, they’ll enjoy this heartwarming seasonal book. Just don’t be surprised if they suddenly want to adopt a homeless animal.
I found this book to be a quick and enjoyable read. M.E. Kerr does a delightful job of bringing the reader into the world of pets (including a snake named Marshall) who are living in a shelter and waiting for a home. The characterization was distinct and insightful. I would have liked to see the story developed a little further, however, as it seemed to resolve more quickly than was justifiable. All in all, it brought a unique perspective and much needed attention to the plight of shelter animals and the all-too-easy way in which owners sometimes cast off unwanted pets.
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