Little Critter: Just One More Pet
The new adventures of Mercer Mayer's little critter Series
What’s inside...
When Little Critter discovers a dog in the bushes, he takes it home and attempts to take care of it until its owner can be found. For more than thirty years, Mercer Mayer has been delighting children with stories and drawings of Little Critter, who has appeared, along with his family, his best friends, Tiger and Gator, and his teacher, Miss Kitty, in more than 200 books.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Little Critter feels when he brings home each new pet?
What responsibilities come with owning a pet, according to the story?
Can you think of any other ways Little Critter could show love to his pets?
What would you do if you were in Little Critter’s shoes and wanted another pet?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own life by asking if they've ever wanted a pet or another sibling.
Discuss the outcome of accumulating too many pets and the responsibilities that each pet needs.
Highlight the importance of caring for pets and ask your child how they would take care of various pets differently.
Use the illustrations in the book as a talking point to explore Little Critter’s emotions and actions throughout the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Little Critter: Just One More Pet', the protagonist learns about the responsibilities of pet ownership as he takes care of multiple pets.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by taking an active role in caring for family pets, learning to feed them on time, and keeping their living spaces clean.
Example Lesson: Decision Making
Explanation: Throughout the story, Little Critter faces choices about which pet to adopt, showcasing the decision-making process.
Real-World Application: Kids can use these skills to make thoughtful choices in their daily lives, such as selecting a snack or choosing which games to play with friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Little Critter shows empathy by providing a loving home to the pets he finds, teaching children to consider the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can practice empathy by understanding and responding to the emotional needs of their friends and family members.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The story highlights the consequences of having too many pets, such as overcrowding and inability to care for them properly.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think about the consequences of their actions in various situations, such as sharing and teamwork.