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Overview
Alex just has to convince his mom to let him have an iguana, so he puts his arguments in writing. He promises that she won't have to feed it or clean its cage or even see it if she doesn't want to. Of course Mom imagines life with a six-foot-long iguana eating them out of house and home. Alex's reassurances: It takes fifteen years for an iguana to get that big. I'll be married by then and probably living in my own house. and his mom's replies: How are you going to get a girl to marry you when you own a giant reptile? will have kids in hysterics as the negotiations go back and forth through notes. And the lively, imaginative illustrations show their polar opposite dreams of life with an iguana.
Alex and his mother write notes back and forth in which Alex tries to persuade her to let him have a baby iguana for a pet.
Synopsis
Alex just has to convince his mom to let him have an iguana, so he puts his arguments in writing. He promises that she won't have to feed it or clean its cage or even see it if she doesn't want to. Of course Mom imagines life with a six-foot-long iguana eating them out of house and home. Alex's reassurances: It takes fifteen years for an iguana to get that big. I'll be married by then and probably living in my own house. and his mom's replies: How are you going to get a girl to marry you when you own a giant reptile? will have kids in hysterics as the negotiations go back and forth through notes. And the lively, imaginative illustrations show their polar opposite dreams of life with an iguana.
Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz - Children's Literature
In an exchange of letters that are sure to bring smiles to both parents and kids, Alex tries to persuade his mother to allow him to keep his friend Mikey's baby iguana as a pet after Mikey moves. The arguments go back and forth. Alex extols its cuteness and promises to care for the iguana, while his mother counters with how the cuteness won't last as the iguana grows to six feet in length, impossible to keep in his room. She also reminds him of his previous carelessness with pets. All the exchanges ring true to the situation. Finally Alex accepts his mother's offer of a "trial basis" to see if he can keep the promises he has made. The bliss on his face as he finds the iguana in his room make it evident how happy he is that his persistence has been rewarded. Catrow clearly has fun depicting in watercolors with pencil the scenes illustrating Alex's current desires, like sharing his bath with the iguana, as well as the future realities, like what to do with the full-grown pet. His cartoon-like characters express their emotions with exaggerated gestures sure to set off giggles. And pear-shaped Alex with his soulful eyes and wispy hair would make a really huggable doll. 2004, GP Putnam's Sons, Ages 4 to 8.
Editorials
Children's Literature
In an exchange of letters that are sure to bring smiles to both parents and kids, Alex tries to persuade his mother to allow him to keep his friend Mikey's baby iguana as a pet after Mikey moves. The arguments go back and forth. Alex extols its cuteness and promises to care for the iguana, while his mother counters with how the cuteness won't last as the iguana grows to six feet in length, impossible to keep in his room. She also reminds him of his previous carelessness with pets. All the exchanges ring true to the situation. Finally Alex accepts his mother's offer of a "trial basis" to see if he can keep the promises he has made. The bliss on his face as he finds the iguana in his room make it evident how happy he is that his persistence has been rewarded. Catrow clearly has fun depicting in watercolors with pencil the scenes illustrating Alex's current desires, like sharing his bath with the iguana, as well as the future realities, like what to do with the full-grown pet. His cartoon-like characters express their emotions with exaggerated gestures sure to set off giggles. And pear-shaped Alex with his soulful eyes and wispy hair would make a really huggable doll. 2004, GP Putnam's Sons, Ages 4 to 8.—Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz