I Wanna Iguana

by Karen Kaufman Orloff, David Catrow (Illustrator)

Overview

Alex just has to convince his mom to let him have an iguana, so he puts his arguments in writing. He promises that she won't have to feed it or clean its cage or even see it if she doesn't want to. Of course Mom imagines life with a six-foot-long iguana eating them out of house and home. Alex's reassurances: It takes fifteen years for an iguana to get that big. I'll be married by then and probably living in my own house. and his mom's replies: How are you going to get a girl to marry you when you own a giant reptile? will have kids in hysterics as the negotiations go back and forth through notes. And the lively, imaginative illustrations show their polar opposite dreams of life with an iguana.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780399237171
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	09/09/2004
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.78(w) x 8.74(h) x 0.38(d)
Lexile:	AD460L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

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.

Editorial Reviews

In an exchange of letters that are sure to bring smiles to both parents and kids, Alex tries to persuade his mother to allow him to keep his friend Mikey's baby iguana as a pet after Mikey moves. The arguments go back and forth. Alex extols its cuteness and promises to care for the iguana, while his mother counters with how the cuteness won't last as the iguana grows to six feet in length, impossible to keep in his room. She also reminds him of his previous carelessness with pets. All the exchanges ring true to the situation. Finally Alex accepts his mother's offer of a "trial basis" to see if he can keep the promises he has made. The bliss on his face as he finds the iguana in his room make it evident how happy he is that his persistence has been rewarded. Catrow clearly has fun depicting in watercolors with pencil the scenes illustrating Alex's current desires, like sharing his bath with the iguana, as well as the future realities, like what to do with the full-grown pet. His cartoon-like characters express their emotions with exaggerated gestures sure to set off giggles. And pear-shaped Alex with his soulful eyes and wispy hair would make a really huggable doll. 2004, GP Putnam's Sons, Ages 4 to 8.
—Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Children's Literature

PreS-Gr 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 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

In epistolary dialogue with his mom, a lad yearning for an iguana tries various approaches, from logic and sweet talk to emotional blackmail. His mother puts up a valiant defense-"Dear Mom: Did you know that iguanas are really quiet and they're cute too. I think they are much cuter than hamsters. Love, your adorable son, Alex." "Dear Alex: Tarantulas are quiet too"-before ultimately capitulating. Catrow's scribbly, lurid, purple-and-green illustrations bring the diverse visions of parent and child to hilarious life, as a lizard of decidedly indeterminate ancestry grows in stages to the size of a horse, all the while exhibiting a doglike affection toward its balloon-headed prospective keeper-who is last seen posed by a new terrarium, pumping a fist in victory. A familiar domestic interchange, played out with broad comedy-and mutual respect, too. (Picture book. 7-9)

Kirkus Reviews