Sunday, March 1, 2026

Book Review Emily Ecton's The Great Pet Heist

  

Illustrated by David Mottram

Emily Ecton’s The Great Pet Heist published in 2020 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, is a hilarious romp through an apartment complex from the viewpoint of the pets. Animal tracks decorate the chapters. Dave Mottram rendered the humorous pet illustrations digitally. Ms. Ecton touches on homelessness, empathy and problem solving. Butterbean, a dog, Walt the cat and a host of pet friends engage in witty conversations and antics while attempting to preserve their living situation. Mostly, this is a funny book about pets and I laughed on almost every page. The Great Pet Heist is the first book in a series of five.

Source: I purchased this book and it will be given as a present. It is designated for ages 8 - 12 years and grades 3 – 7 with 272 pages. 

 

Many thanks to Greg Pattridge for hosting: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Links:

Visit author: Emily Ecton 

Visit illustrator: Dave Mottram

     Examples of character design: Dave Mottram Character Design

 Interior Book Design: Tom Daly

 Visit your local book store: Second Star to the Right

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Imagine the Future, Poems

 

Blue Sky and Colorado Snow photo by ET Charles

 

 Happy New Year 

 Delighted to have my poems fly on The Dirigible Balloon which is edited by the brilliant Jonathan Humble.

 On the theme of Imagine the Future

 “Abundance,” The Dirigible Balloon, August 2025. 

 “Meadows,” The Dirigible Balloon, August 2025. 

 “Ceres,” The Dirigible Balloon, August 2025. 

 

 

  “December Moon,” The Dirigible Balloon, December 2025. 

  “Mountain Wave Sunrise,” The Dirigible Balloon, December 2025. 

 

  Note: Photo was taken in the winter of 2016. It is far too dry this winter.

  More poems and photographs of Colorado

 

 
 

Popular Posts