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Lizard from the Park

Illustrated by Mark Pett

About The Book

A lonely boy’s new pet grows into a rather large dilemma—and a Thanksgiving parade offers an uplifting solution—in this charming tale from the author of The Boy and the Airplane and The Girl and the Bicycle.

When Leonard takes a shortcut through the park, he finds an egg and takes it home, where it hatches into a lizard (or so Leonard thinks). Leonard names his new pet Buster and takes him all around the city: on the subway, to the library, to a baseball game, and more.

But Buster keeps growing and growing—and Leonard gets the sense that Buster is longing for something Leonard can’t provide.

Before long, Buster becomes too big to keep, and Leonard realizes he needs to set Buster free. So Leonard comes up with an inventive plan, one that involves all the balloons Leonard can find and the annual Thanksgiving parade, in an imaginative plot twist that will spark readers’ imaginations—and touch their hearts.

About The Author

(c) Mark Pett

Cartoonist Mark Pett's varied and worldly experiences include teaching English and "skewering Czech political figures" as an editorial cartoonist in Prague; teaching sixth grade in rural Mississippi (a stint that later inspired his Mr. Lowe strip); and working as a freelance cartoonist.

About The Illustrator

(c) Mark Pett

Cartoonist Mark Pett's varied and worldly experiences include teaching English and "skewering Czech political figures" as an editorial cartoonist in Prague; teaching sixth grade in rural Mississippi (a stint that later inspired his Mr. Lowe strip); and working as a freelance cartoonist.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (September 8, 2015)
  • Length: 40 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781442483224
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Raves and Reviews

"As independent as Max and Ruby, as creative as purple-crayon-wielding Harold, and as dedicated a friend as Charlotte's Wilbur, Leonard will delight kids of all ages, regardless of habitat."

– Kirkus Reviews [STARRED REVIEW]

"A sweet and subtle offering that lets readers discover new things about the story on each rereading."

– School Library Journal

“A sweet story of friendship and life’s hidden wonders.”

– Booklist

"Youngsters will want to sit with this book and read it often. The illustrations will have them looking closer at the story and discovering new things with each reading."

– School Library Connection

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More books from this author: Mark Pett