Lizard from the Park - by Mark Pett (Hardcover)

About the Book

When a lizard hatches from the egg Leonard finds in the park, he names it Buster and takes it all around the city, but Buster grows bigger and bigger until Leonard realizes he must devise a way to return his pet to the deepest, darkest part of the park and set him free.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

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

"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]"

"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"

"A sweet story of friendship and life's hidden wonders."-- "Booklist"

About the Author

Writer and illustrator Mark Pett has practiced his craft in Philadelphia, Prague, the Mississippi Delta, and Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to illustrating several books, Mark is the author-illustrator of The Boy and the Airplane and The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes. He is also the creator of the syndicated comic strips Mr. Lowe and Lucky Cow. He lives in Salt Lake City. Visit him at MarkPett.com.