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.
In epistolary dialogue with his mom, a lad yearning for an iguana tries various approaches, from logic and sweet talk to emotional blackmail. His mother puts up a valiant defense-"Dear Mom: Did you know that iguanas are really quiet and they're cute too. I think they are much cuter than hamsters. Love, your adorable son, Alex." "Dear Alex: Tarantulas are quiet too"-before ultimately capitulating. Catrow's scribbly, lurid, purple-and-green illustrations bring the diverse visions of parent and child to hilarious life, as a lizard of decidedly indeterminate ancestry grows in stages to the size of a horse, all the while exhibiting a doglike affection toward its balloon-headed prospective keeper-who is last seen posed by a new terrarium, pumping a fist in victory. A familiar domestic interchange, played out with broad comedy-and mutual respect, too. (Picture book. 7-9) (Kirkus Reviews)
ISBN: 9780399237171
ISBN-10: 0399237178
Audience:
Children
For Ages: 5 - 7 years old
For Grades: K - 3
Format:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 32
Published: 9th September 2004
Dimensions (cm): 22.2 x 22.2
x 1.118
Weight (kg): 0.413