Norman enjoys his time at preschool in this picture-book from author/illustrator Judith Caseley, until an assignment to draw one's pet reminds him of what he has been lacking. His parents refuse to have an animal companion, due to his father's allergies, but then one day they get a most unusual (and temporary) pet, when his father's boss asks them to look after his iguana for the month. When Norman shares the good news at school, his classmates don't believe him, until he arranges a class trip to see the iguana, dubbed Mr. Green Peas...

According to the author's website, many of Caseley's picture-books present stories taken from or inspired by her own and her children's experiences. Mr. Green Peas clearly falls into that category, as Caseley herself seems to keep iguanas, judging by the author blurb at the rear of the book, and the photograph which shows her posing with her iguana. This was a fun little book, pairing an engaging story of a boy who just wants a pet with artwork that is colorful and appealing. The two-page spread featuring just the iguana, and no text, was particularly beautiful. I did find it a little odd that Norman's teacher is just called 'Toni' in the story - it's not impossible that an early education teacher would use her given name, but it is fairly atypical, I would imagine - but although it stood out to me, it didn't detract from the story. Recommended to preschool children who long for a pet of their own, or find unusual animals interesting. ( )

The pictures are colorful, at least two problems are solve satisfactorily (getting a pet, albeit part-time, and convincing others that he is telling the truth), and it's about nursery school, which may be an everyday experience for the target audience. It is also about changing the world one step at a time: Norman perseveres and plans instead of giving up and crying. This year he convinces his class, next year he'll convince their parents, and who knows what he'll do after that. ( )

This was such an adorable book. Norman's parents have never been a fan of pets, so they never really told Norman about pets. Well, when Norman goes to school, he learns about pets and how all of his classmates have a different type of pet. One day, Norman's dad brings home his boss's iguana for a month, and Norman falls in love with the creature. In fact, Norman thinks the iguana is the craziest pet in the whole wide world. It was a great story that I think some students could relate to, because some kids never have the opportunity to have a pet. ( )

Norman enjoys nursery school, but everyone but him seems to have a pet. When the other children draw pictures of their animals, he draws a mixture of several. Although his parents want no pets, they do agree to take their father's boss' iguana for a month while his boss is on vacation. When Norman's classmates don't believe that he has such a creature, he comes up with an plan to prove that he is not making it up---a field trip for everyone to come to his house, where a good time is had by all.

The pictures are colorful, at least two problems are solve satisfactorily (getting a pet, albeit part-time, and convincing others that he is telling the truth), and it's about nursery school, which may be an everyday experience for the target audience. It is also about changing the world one step at a time: Norman perseveres and plans instead of giving up and crying. This year he convinces his class, next year he'll convince their parents, and who knows what he'll do after that.

My experience reading it to Nursery and Kindergarten students is that it was a little long and not funny or outrageous enough to keep the interest of everyone. Or maybe it was just too close to lunchtime and napping. ( )