“Once upon a time there lived a boy called Henry…” Desperately seeking his perfect pet, for a winsome boy like Henry this perfect pet is a dog. Or is it?

Wanted: The Perfect Pet charts the witty and surprising path from Henry’s collecting of frogs with inspired names (such as Eric, Kylie, Pedro and Kent), to finding the pet who is really, truly, deeply the perfect pet for him. There’s no flies on young Henry and to discover his dog he advertises in the ‘Wanted’ section of The Daily Catastrophe, amidst classifieds for items including an Enchanted Mirror: “Always speaks the truth. Free to a good home”.

But we can’t forget the very special – albeit nameless – duck in the story. He lives “all alone, far, far away at the top of a cold and windy hill.” One day he opens up the paper and sees Henry’s ad. Can you see where this might be going?

With her glorious humour, perfect pathos and clean, highly evocative illustrations, Fiona Roberton has us entirely at her mercy

This is a gorgeously quirky, clever book that will make adults and kids alike clamour for endless re-readings, especially if they share a love for household pets.

Author Notes Fiona Roberton was born in Oxford and studied art and design in London and New York. Her other books include The Perfect Present and Porkchop and Mouse and Cuckoo!

Fun Fact An ultrasonic whistle, audible only to dogs, was recorded by Paul McCartney for his Shetland sheepdog at the end of the Beatles’ song “A Day in the Life”.