When I Grow Up I want to be a Veternarian

When I Grow Up I Want To Be a Veterinarian!

Wigu Publishing

Sofia’s dream was to have her own pet but her mother was adamant when she said definitely, “NO.” No matter how much she asked and how many times she promised she would care for a pet her mother stood hard and fast and would not budge. Sofia wanted a pet more than anything in the world. She loved animals. Thinking about animals that live in different habitats like jungles, forests, oceans and mountains kept her mind soaring with ideas of how she would handle them if given the chance. In school her teacher taught units on animals around the world and Sofia explored the many posters in her room seeking more answers and information. She just loved animals but her mother would not budge. So, the only pets or animals she had were the stuffed ones that lined her room. But, her mother had a reason for her thinking and explained to Sofia that before you can have a pet there are many things that you need to learn. Taking care of the animal, the proper nutrition and the proper handling of the pet are just two vital things she needed to learn but there is much more.

Rain can keep you inside but Sofia loved to watch it come down and one night something amazing happened that would change her life and maybe even her mother’s perspective forever. Outside of her window, barely able to hear her, was a cat. Wet, soaked and the poor thing was freezing Sofia shared her amazing vision or find with her brother. But, where did it go? Was it really there because when she opened the door it was gone?

Sofia stayed at her window and would not give up. Hoping that the cat would return she just sat and stared. But, miracles do happen and the next night this beautiful but lonely cat showed up and she chanced the ire of her mother by giving it food. Her mother was not happy but she did instruct her not to give the cat milk for fear of making it sick. But, Sofia looked so sad when you see her face on page 11 it tells the whole story. When you feed an animal it often comes back for more and she prayed real hard, said the cat was a girl, named it Samantha and hoped she would return. But, even her brother knew that once their mom made up her mind it would take a lot to change it. Sofia promised that if the cat came back she would learn how to care for it and would take the cat to Dr. Helen, which they did. The author shares on page 15 important information about an doctors or veterinarians, what they do, where they treat animals and the kinds of animals they treat. The pictures make the story come alive.

Sometimes people do relent and they took Samantha to Dr. Helen to check her out and hopefully she was not sick. Sofia was smart, inquisitive and asked all of the right questions as Dr. Helen, weighed the cat, checked her vitals and the author shares information about vets that specialize in small and household animals on page 21. Learn more about the popular pets: Cats and dogs when reading page 21.
Dr. Helen shares that Dr. Karl likes farm animals and she explains their care and the authors elaborates on page 23 by presenting information about ranch and farm animals and the pictures will help children understand which animals these vets care for. As Dr. Helen explains how to care for a cow and why we have to make sure that our milk is safe and how that is done.

Next, Sofia tells Dr. Helen that she loves baby horses and ponies and the author shares more information about vets that care for these animals on page 25 plus provides pictures of these beautiful horses. Believe it or not there are large animal vets that care for animals that need wildlife medicine. These vets work with conservationists and zoologists to help all kinds of creatures in the wild. Believe it or not sometimes their jobs include animal rescue. There is so much to learn as you read this informative book for anyone that wants to learn more caring for animals and becoming a vet. Dr. Helen shares that she went to school with some vets that wanted to care for Marine animals, as you will learn on page 29. There are an “estimated 10 million different animal specimens on Earth.” Believe it or not we do not know 90 percent of the species sharing our planet. The wealth of information if amazing and Sofia is taking it all in and loving everyone moment of talking with Dr. Helen and learning about the many kinds of animals and vets who care for them.

So, what does it take to become a vet? You need to find out when you read pages 32 and 33 to learn that for yourself. What happens when Dr. Helen finally finishes her exam? Will Sofia be allowed to keep Samantha? But, first learn more about the different kinds of cats on pages 36-37 and dogs on pages 39-41. The photos are amazing and bring the story to life and helps Sofia and will other young children understand how special animals are and why they need special care. Let’s not forget my favorite animals, which are birds and I, love snakes too! Learn more about snakes, ferrets, hamsters and birds on pages 44-45. But, Dr. Helen had one more surprise for Sofia and her family. Because it’s a surprise I promised the author and Sofia I would not give away the ending and you the reader will have to find out for yourself. When I Grow Up I Want To Be a Veterinarian, is an excellent resource for teachers, science teachers, vets, parents, animal hospitals, rescue shelters and people that work in zoos who do presentations with children of all ages to help children understand the importance of that a vet does and why we need so many different ones to care for our animals. Rescue shelters provide a haven for those animals that no longer have homes and more needs to be done to make sure that families adopt them and they are kept alive and safe. So, read this great book and just maybe some children might find out that this is a career they want to pursue in the future. Easy to read and at a level that can be understood by young readers and children in middle school this is a great series.

I want to dedicate this review to my niece Tami Polesel who is the Found and Director of “The Pawfect Match,” a non for profit company designed to use social media to match shelter dogs with their forever homes.”

Fran Lewis: Reviewer