No Pets Allowed!
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
This collection of stories includes a delightful tale about a young boy named Murali who discovers a stray kitten and, with the help of his friend Anita, devises a plan to hide it from their building's 'no pets' policy. Another story features Keva, who helps at her Grandpa's pet adoption center and hatches a plan to bring his best friend, a tortoise named Atlas, to cheer him up in the hospital despite the pet ban enforced by the hospital manager. These tales teach valuable lessons about responsibility, compassion, community, and the healing power of pets. These engaging stories, part of the Bloomsbury Readers series, are designed to support children in Key Stage 2 as they begin reading independently.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-7
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the characters in the book were not allowed to have pets?
How do you feel about the rules that were set in the story, and what would you have done differently if you were a character in the book?
Can you think of any reasons why pets might be important in someone's life?
What would you do to convince someone to allow pets if you were in a similar situation as the characters?
What did you learn about problem-solving and compromise from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s rules, relating them to any rules they might have at home or school.
Discuss the importance of pets and animals in our lives to deepen empathy and understanding, drawing parallels to any pets your family may have or want.
Use the characters' experiences to talk about compromise and problem-solving, asking your child how they might handle similar situations.
After reading, you could role-play with your child as different characters from the book, exploring various outcomes to the story based on different decisions made by the characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respecting rules and boundaries
Explanation: In 'No Pets Allowed!', the protagonist learns the importance of adhering to apartment rules that prohibit pets.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding and respecting rules set at home, school, or in public places, fostering a sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: The main character uses imaginative solutions to enjoy the companionship of animals without violating rules.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when faced with limitations or challenges in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The story highlights the feelings of those who wish to have pets but cannot due to certain circumstances.
Real-World Application: Children learn to empathize with peers who may have different living situations and to appreciate diverse perspectives.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Despite the no pet policy, the protagonist finds companionship and joy in unconventional ways, highlighting that friendship can come in many forms.
Real-World Application: This can help children value and seek out friendships in various scenarios, understanding that companions can be found in unexpected places.