Beatrice and Barb

By Kate Jenks Landry, Vivian Mineker (Illustrator)

A girl must save her unusual pet before it's too late.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 66 ratings

32 pages

$21.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Beatrice finally gets a pet, but it's not what she expected—a Venus flytrap named Barb. As Barb starts to wilt, Beatrice faces the challenge of saving her unique friend. Can she find a way to nurse Barb back to health? This tale of friendship and perseverance explores the lengths we'll go to care for those we love, even when they're a little different.

From the publisher

In this heartfelt story of friendship, a young girl is determined to save her most unlikely pet. Beatrice desperately wants a pet of her own. Her mom has other ideas. No dog. No cat. No hedgehog. They finally reach a compromise, and Beatrice gets … a Venus flytrap. Being a good sport, Beatrice makes the best of things. She gives her new friend a name, Barb. She does all the things with Barb that good pet owners do, such as taking walks and playing fetch. Only, now, despite all the love and care, Barb is starting to look sick, with black spots on her leaves and some parts of her turning mushy. Beatrice knows she has to find a way to save Barb. But how? The debut picture book from author Kate Jenks Landry offers a universal and powerful message about how to take care of those we love. It also celebrates differences, unique friendships and what makes each of us special (like how Barb needs to eat bugs to survive!). This story has strong curriculum connections to social-emotional learning and offers excellent character education lessons on caring, perseverance and responsibility. Vivian Mineker’s illustrations are imbued with the soft greens of plant life and beautifully convey the warmth and affection at the heart of the story.

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