JENIUS: THE AMAZING GUINEA PIG, by Dick King-Smith

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Ages 6 to 8

Hyperion

School Library Journal:
King-Smith has created another richly personified animal character in this delightful, fast-paced, beginning- chapter book. Judy teaches her guinea pig, Jenius, several tricks, despite the fact that her teacher and parents say that guinea pigs aren't trainable. Jenius, in turn, is told by his parents that he can't learn tricks. As they succeed, both Judy and Jenius become boastful. Finally, Judy's teacher allows her to bring her pet to school to perform. But he is shocked into immobility at the sight of a caged cat. The teacher and both sets of parents-human and animal-feel that Judy and Jenius have learned a valuable lesson. The curtain closes with Dad, who has promised to eat his hat if the guinea pig can perform, witnessing a few of Jenius's tricks. Floca's spare ink sketches add life to this tale of communication and misunderstanding. Pair this gem with Michael Bond's The Tales of Olga da Polga (S & S, 1989), another prize story about a guinea pig with ample personality. Christina Dorr.