Guinea Pigs

Children's Literature

One of the first animals many young children will ever own is a guinea pig. Known as being very gentle and tolerant, guinea pigs draw many parents and children alike to their squeaks and grunts and make it their choice for that first pet. In Guinea Pigs, part of the "All About Pets" series for emergent readers, children can get that first glimpse of America's favorite pet before taking the plunge into pet ownership. And for those children who are simply seeking to feed their curiosity about these small animals, Guinea Pigs is an ideal place to start. Written specifically for early readers, this series uses repetitive words and phrases in order to help children learn, and the format keeps things simple with one sentence per page. Each sentence is accompanied by a colorful photograph to reinforce interest and support each statement, further helping children decipher the text. While children may not learn specific care requirements or details about guinea pigs from reading this book, they will learn the basic needs of a guinea pig as well as a brief description of the animal itself. In addition, readers who find themselves eager to learn more are encouraged to do so through a reference section at the back of the book which refers to both library sources and Internet web sites. The glossary is also included to reinforce what has been discussed. Guinea Pigs, as well as the other titles in this series, will be thoroughly enjoyed by animal lovers, particularly those who are beginning to show an interest in reading.
—Emily Cook