Book Review of The Out-of-This-World Pet
The Children’s Book Review
The Out-of-This-World Pet
Written by Adam Kargman
Illustrated by Tristan Tait
Ages: 4+ | 48 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 9798891387515
What to Expect: Pet Ownership, Aliens, Adventure, Humor, Frogs, and Family.
A young boy’s desperate desire for a pet leads to an out-of-this-world adventure when he finds a frog and, simultaneously, an alien boy with the same wish finds him.
In The Out-of-This-World Pet, Jordy wants a pet more than anything, but his parents offer a funny array of excuses for why he can’t have one: dogs are too “bark-barky,” rabbits are too “poopy,” and snakes are just a resounding “YECH!” Far away in the galaxy, a green and gooey, 444-pound alien named T’Birg also desperately wishes for a pet, but his parents veto creatures like the “Erisian ice lizard” and “double-tailed Saturnian stinkeramus”. When Jordy finds and secretly adopts a baby frog he names Gribbit, he believes his problem is solved, but keeping a secret pet proves difficult.
Adam Kargman’s writing is full of playful, inventive language. He uses fun descriptions, such as listing the crayons Jordy owns “from purple pizzazz to electric-lime green”, and the parents’ humorous pet-vetoing rationales, which set a lighthearted tone. The story structure, which parallels Jordy’s quest for a pet with T’Birg’s similar desire, creates a unique narrative that builds anticipation for their eventual meeting.
Furthermore, the story touches on the universal theme of wanting companionship and the less-glamorous realities of pet ownership, as Jordy begins to neglect Gribbit. The dedication reinforces the book’s humor, claiming it is for any child who wanted a pet but couldn’t have one, noting that “this book is cheaper and makes less poo-poo.”
The illustrations by Tristan Tait are integral to the book’s humor and charm, bringing the characters and world to life, including the richly imagined characters like the 444-pound alien T’Birg, and providing context for the various sound effects and visual jokes throughout the book. Tait’s visual style joyfully captures the story’s required fun and imaginative elements.
The Out-of-This-World Pet is a hilarious, imaginative adventure sure to resonate with any child who has ever longed for a furry, scaly, or slimy friend—especially young readers who enjoy silly humor and stories with a big heart and a creative sci-fi twist.
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About the Author
Adam Kargman is a Southern California-based author whose storytelling blends humor, heart, and a dash of mischief. His award-winning debut children’s book, Abracadabra Whoopsie, was inspired by the sibling rivalry he witnessed between his kids, which led him to wonder what would really happen if one sibling’s dream to make the other one vanish came true. The warm reception to that book led to The Out-of-this-World Pet, inspired by his kids’ relentless campaign for a family pet and Adam’s equally relentless campaign to avoid getting one.
In addition to writing for young readers, Adam published the suspense-thriller novel Nagle’s Mercy, which was hailed by Kirkus as a “thoroughly enjoyable” “edge-of-your-seat read” with “nonstop action and palpable psychological tension,” and was designated a SELF-e Select title by the staff of Library Journal. He has also written and directed several award-winning films.
