I Wanna Iguana
Brand: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Color: Multicolor
Categories: Books, Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life


Putnam Publishing Group

Grade level: Preschool - 3
Dimensions: 10.88 x 0.42 x 8.81 inches
Reading age: 3 - 8 years, from customers
ISBN-13: 978-0399237171
ISBN-10: 0399237178
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Print length: 32 pages
Publication date: September 9, 2004
Lexile measure: AD580L
Language: English
subtitle: Hardcover – Picture Book, September 9, 2004
author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kaufman Orloff Page search results Karen Kaufman Orloff David Catrow
review: Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 3–This funny story is told through an amusing exchange of notes, as Alex tries to convince his seemingly unshakable mother that he should be allowed to adopt a friend's baby iguana ("If I don't take it, he goes to Stinky and Stinky's dog, Lurch, will eat it. You don't want that to happen, do you?"). The boy pulls out all the stops in his arguments: iguanas are quiet (so are tarantulas, Mom counters); the reptile could be kept on the dresser (they grow to over six feet, Mom replies); the iguana could be the brother he's always wanted (you already have a brother, Mom reminds him). Featuring his signature cartoon characters, Catrow's illustrations provide a hilarious extension of the text. Alex, with his unruly red cowlicks and kewpie-doll shape, is totally disarming, as is the iguana, which makes imaginative appearances strumming a guitar on a bike, sporting tiny swim trunks, and reading in bed. The tale is perfect for reader's-theater presentations and could also be used effectively as a writing prompt for older children. It will make even the most serious youngsters giggle. –Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. About the Author Karen Kaufman Orloff is the author of many books for children including I Wanna Iguana , I Wanna New Room , and I Wanna Go Home , all inspired by her son's pet iguana who quickly grew to be over four feet long and take over his room. She also writes a humorous column on family life every other week for The Poughkeepsie Journal. David Catrow is the illustrator of many picture books including Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon and its sequel Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon , written by Patty Lovell; I Wanna Iguana and its two companion books I Wanna New Room and I Wanna Go Home, written by Karen Kaufman Orloff; Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel; The Middle Child Blues by Kristyn Crow; and We the Kids: the Preamble to the Constitution. He lives in Ohio with his wife, Deborah.