Review of OH, THEODORE! GUINEA PIG POEMS

Bibliography:

Katz, Susan. 2007. Oh, Theodore!: Guinea pig poems. Illustrated by Stacey Schuett. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780618702220

Review:

From the moment, you see the adorable guinea pig staring at you from the cover of Oh, Theodore!: Guinea Pig Poems, you will be drawn to this book of poems about a young boy and his new pet. Susan Katz has written thirty-four free verse poems that accurately capture what it feels like to own a pet. Readers are introduced to the boy as he selects his pet - “I wanted a dog . . . all I got was a guinea pig”. They then follow him as he names Theodore, prepares his cage, cares for him, and even searches for the guinea pig when runs away. Each poem is beautifully illustrated by Stacey Schuett. Theodore is depicted as “soft, plump, fuzzy, brown – like a teddy bear”, and Schuett has brought this image to life. Her acrylic paintings are so vivid that you almost expect Theodore to come crawling off the pages, “tickle his way up to (your) neck, and curl himself around (you)”. In the final poem “Forever”, the little boy realizes that Theodore is his “fuzziest friend. And I’m his biggest”. This feel-good book which reveals the hard work, the love, and the joy involved in owning a pet will make you want to seek out your pet and give it a hug. Or, if you are “pet-less”, it will make you beg your parents to buy you a pet of your very own. (Parents, be warned!)