Penny, The Review Group's reviewer Penny for Your ThoughtsThe Review Group
Children's βœ“ Reviewed

What Pet Should I Get?

Dr. Seuss Β· 2019
75/100
πŸ‘ Worth It

Discovered among Seuss's papers in 2013 and published posthumously in 2015, this manuscript reunites familiar siblings Jay and Kay at a pet store with one instruction: choose one pet and be home by noon. The impossible parade of fantastical creatures makes choosing agonizing, and the book ends without revealing the choice β€” leaving children to imagine their own answer. The authentic early Seuss voice and visual style are the real draw here, and the debut at number one on the Times children's list reflects genuine reader appetite. The honest caveat is that the text lacks the tight craftsmanship of Seuss's finished books β€” some passages feel like working drafts β€” and the unresolved ending may frustrate younger children who expect a tidy close. For Seuss fans and families, it remains a charming, wholesome addition to the canon.

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Show the math
Verdict receipt0–100
Public sentiment (open_library)18%32
Expert / editorial (commonsensemedia.org)55%80
Sanctioned API (itunes)27%80
Penny’s verdict75
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