Can I Keep Him?

A young boy named Arnold brings home a series of pets, making his case to his mother about why he should keep each one. His suggestions range from everyday animals to more unusual creatures. The story follows a pattern of Arnold's creative arguments and his mother's responses as they discuss the potential new pets. Arnold must navigate between his enthusiasm and his mother's practical concerns. The illustrations show Arnold's imagination at work through detailed scenes of life with each proposed pet. Text and images combine to depict both the humor and heart of a child's desire for animal companionship. This picture book explores themes of childhood desires, parent-child negotiations, and the universal experience of wanting a pet. Through gentle humor, it captures a common childhood moment that resonates with young readers.

Parents and educators appreciate this book's portrayal of a child repeatedly bringing home different animals as potential pets, with his mother patiently responding each time. The predictable pattern and humor resonate with young children who often beg for unusual pets. Readers highlight the detailed illustrations that show both realistic and fantastical creatures, with one teacher noting "students love spotting hidden details in the pictures." Many mention using it to teach persuasive writing in elementary classrooms. Some readers find the ending abrupt and note that the mother's repeated "no" responses could be frustrating for children. A few mention the book feels dated compared to newer picture books. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,024 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (89 reviews) Scholastic: 4.5/5 (42 reviews) Common reader comment: "A childhood favorite that still holds up when reading to my own kids."

A Pet for Pete by Ezra Jack Keats A boy asks for different exotic pets and imagines life with each before finding the perfect companion.

I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufman Orloff A child exchanges letters with his mother to convince her that an iguana makes the perfect pet.

I Wanna New Room by Karen Kaufman Orloff A boy negotiates with his parents through a series of notes about wanting his own space.

The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini A girl who cannot have a dog or cat discovers an unconventional pet that fits her family's rules.

Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School by Mark Teague A dog writes persuasive letters to his owner from obedience school in an attempt to return home.

🦒 Author Steven Kellogg was inspired to write this story after his own children repeatedly brought home stray animals, hoping to keep them as pets. 🎨 The book's detailed, whimsical illustrations showcase Kellogg's signature style, which he developed during his childhood when he would create elaborate picture stories for his younger sisters. 🐘 The main character, Arnold, suggests increasingly outlandish pets throughout the story, including a gorilla, an elephant, and even a sperm whale—each one met with his mother's practical objections. 📚 Published in 1971, Can I Keep Him? has remained popular for over 50 years and is often used in elementary schools to teach children about responsible pet ownership. 🖋️ Steven Kellogg has illustrated or written more than 100 children's books during his career, with Can I Keep Him? being one of his earliest successes.