Melvin and the Boy Hardcover – July 5, 2011

I have bought 'Melvin and the Boy for my Granddaughter along with other books for her Birthday and I know she will like it.I liked the book and it arrived in good time and was in perfect condition. It is a wonderful story for young and preschool age.Thank you, Jacquelyn

When you're little and don't have a pet of your own, it seems like everyone else does. That's how the little boy in "Melvin and the Boy" feels. He wants a dog, but they're too big, his mom says. A monkey is too much work, his dad says. And a parrot is too noisy, they both say.It seems all hope is lost until the boy notices a turtle with a fancy shell at the park. The turtle is small and quiet and shouldn't be too much work, and when the boy asks if he can keep him, Mom and Dad agree."Melvin and the Boy" is a lovely little book. Both text and illustration work in concert with each other to create a fun, cohesive whole. The text is simple and straightforward with playful artwork filling in the holes. Children will love the images of other pets and parents will appreciate the book's message. And a two-page section at the end featuring turtle facts is a fun and somewhat unexpected addition.

A little boy wants a pet, but he lives in the city and his parents say no to every pet he proposes. One day, he sees a turtle with a yellow spot on his shell at the pond in the city. He wants to take the turtle home and his parents agree. But the turtle is not happy at the boy's house and the boy reluctantly decides to take the turtle back to the pond.A gentle story about love and sacrifice."When I take Melvin outside to meet my friends, he is shy.He doesn't even want to meet the other pets.And while I play catch, he tries to sneak away."