Reviewed by Kristine Zimmerman for Readers' Favorite

There are all kinds of pets; dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, snakes, and so on. In My Ginormous Bearded Dragon by Rachelle Jones Smith, a little girl has a slightly unusual pet, a cute little bearded dragon. When he first arrives, he fits in a fish tank but very soon he outgrows that home. The bearded dragon continues to grow and soon he barely fits in her room. Not only does he get bigger but his appetite gets bigger too. The little girl wonders if maybe the zoo has room for him; she’s just not sure what to do. At least he now is big enough so that he can give her rides.

Pet stories are always popular with kids. Getting a pet is a rite of passage for many children and they will enjoy hearing about a more unusual pet. Rachelle Jones Smith has written an amusing tale about what might happen if your pet outgrows your house. Mykhailo Ridkous’s illustrations are delightful. The main character with her thick hair and big grin reminds me of David Catrow’s illustrations. There are so many fun details in the pictures, like the measuring lines she draws on the wall as her pet grows. I love the scenes of her walking her dragon as he chases after butterflies! Clearly, our protagonist and her pet are bonded like family. My Ginormous Bearded Dragon is a fun rhyming story that will have kids laughing. This will be an enjoyable read for any new or potential pet owner.