Can I Keep It? - by Lisa Jobe (Hardcover)

About the Book

As a boy searches his backyard for the perfect pet, his mother asks him to consider where a squirrel, frog, or bird would like to live.

Book Synopsis

"Mom, if a frog follows me home, can I keep it?"

One summer day, a boy ventures into his backyard on a mission to find the perfect pet. When he asks to keep the animals that happened to "follow" him home, his mom points out that birds belong in the sky and frogs belong in the pond. He starts to wonder: is there an animal that belongs right there with him? In a heartwarming conclusion, he discovers the perfect pet has been around him all along.

Readers of all ages will giggle at the sly sense of humor, and adults will love how the mother's questions encourage empathy. Lively illustrations and dialogue play off each other with a sly sense of humor as the boy learns to walk in someone else's shoes--or paws.

Review Quotes

"This gently humorous title imparts a useful and empathetic aspect to finding the perfect pet...[Can I Keep It?] imparts a powerful and important message as the child in the story is able to put himself in each animal's place and contemplate its needs before his own desires." - Booklist, starred review

"A fun addition to any storytime collection." - School Library Journal, starred review

"Author/illustrator Jobe's watercolor, gouache, pastel, and digitally collaged illustrations inventively utilize negative and positive space." - Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Lisa Jobe is a multidisciplinary artist working in illustration, painting, printmaking, and photography. She lives in New England, and exhibits often in local museums and galleries. She received a degree in Film, Video & Photography, and has worked as a toy designer. This is Lisa's debut picture book as an author-illustrator.