When a class pet proves to be more than a handful, the students agree they cannot keep him, but how will they convince their teacher, Mr. Stricter, who loves the strange creature

What begins as a class lesson in evolution and change, becomes a big BIG problem! While definitely an adventure, there is a heavy dose of imagination and fantastical-ness used here because really...I'm pretty sure that's how the particular pet they end up with actually comes to life. Just sayin'. Still, the trouble that follows will have kiddos in stitches as Little Bruno outgrows his name, his bowl, the room, and then some....

A fun read for school days (or not) and a great way to explain why Suzy can't have a pony when you live in an apartment. ( )

This is a good story for kids to learn that sometimes we have to let go of things that we love. This way everybody around feels safe. ( )

When Mr. Stricter's class must release their "pets" - tadpoles about to transform into frogs - the children are willing, but their instructor wants to keep one. Bruno, who in the artwork turns out to be a rapidly-growing hippopotamus, rather than a frog, is more than a little disruptive however. The children soon see that this teacher's pet must go, but the fond and over-indulgent Mr. Stricter takes some convincing. It is only when Bruno swallows him whole that he begins to perceive that there is a problem with having a massive hippo in the classroom...

The author of the Anna Banana beginning chapter-book series, Anica Mrose Rissi makes her picture-book debut with The Teacher's Pet, which offers an amusing variation on the idea of a teacher's much-indulged favorite. In this case, of course, that favorite is a literal pet. Young children will enjoy the reversal of the usual order of things, as Mr. Stricter's students take charge and behave responsibly, while their teacher makes every excuse under the sun for his pet's misdeeds. The accompanying artwork by Zachariah OHora, done in acrylic and pencil, is colorful and engaging, capturing the humor of the story quite well. I've seen this one performed at story-time, and it goes over very well with the young audience. Recommended to those looking for classroom stories with a somewhat silly sense of humor. ( )

Mr. Stricter's class grew tadpoles as a science project and when they hatched they decided to release all them except for a special one named Bruno. Bruno grew into a huge hippo that reaped havoc on the classroom. He ate homework, desks, markers, and many other classroom supplies. He snored during silent reading and farted during show and tell. The students decided it was time for Bruno to go but Mr. Stricter didn't believe Bruno was doing anything. Until one day when Bruno ate Mr. Stricter too! The student's begged Bruno for their teacher back, and he finally returned when Bruno sneezed him out with his snot rockets. They decide it was time for Bruno to be released to a pond.