About This Book
Reach for this book when your household feels a bit like a circus and you want to celebrate the messy, unpredictable nature of unconditional love. It is the perfect choice for a child who tends to root for the underdog or the troublemaker, offering a humorous way to discuss patience and the bonds that form in the midst of chaos. The story follows young Arabel and Mortimer, a large, eccentric raven her father rescues after a roadside accident. Mortimer is far from a perfect pet: he eats stairs, causes property damage, and only says 'Kaark' and 'Nevermore.' Yet, through these domestic disasters, the book highlights the beauty of empathy and family loyalty. It is a fantastic bridge for 7 to 10 year olds moving into longer chapter books, using absurdist humor to show that being different is something to be embraced rather than fixed.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is secular and lighthearted. While Mortimer is initially injured in a car accident, the tone remains humorous and the recovery is immediate. There are no heavy emotional traumas, only the 'stress' of a chaotic pet.
