Pet Sitters: Billy Goat Boogie by Ella Shine

Title: Pet Sitters: Billy Goat Boogie

Author: Ella Shine

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Puddle Dog Press

Published: 1^st May 2024

Format: Paperback

Pages: 60

Price: $12.99

Synopsis: Two pet sitters. One talking cat. What could possibly go wrong?

Cassie and Lina can’t wait to pet sit Winton the goat and film a TV commercial.

But Winton has rhythm in his hooves and Gus the grumpy cat has mischief on his mind. With the cameras ready to roll, can Cassie and Lina stop the chaos before it’s too late?

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Billy Goat Boogie is the sixth Pet Sitters book and the second book in the Pet Sitters: Dress-Ups Series. Junior Fiction for 5-9 year olds.

By Ella Shine. Illustrated by Lisa Flanagan.

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Best friends Lina and Cassie are pet sitters – and sort of owners of talking cat Gus, who accompanies them on all their adventures. This time, librarian of Barefoot Springs, Paul, has asked them to look after his music loving goat, Winton, while he is off to a library conference. And they have to take Winton to the filming of a television commercial for goat milk soap – what could go wrong?

Well, when you mix Winton, Gus, and music – a lot! As chaos explodes on set, the laughs begin, and we get to explore new talents from Gus, as well as learn more about Lina’s Hindi heritage whilst they look after a dancing goat – well, when he hears music! Of course, when things go wrong, Lina and Cassie are horrified – something always goes wrong – it’s a given, especially with Gus around. Utter chaos reigns as Lina and Cassie try to keep things under control and calm – but things might work out this time – and in a good way.

The delightful Pet Sitter stories are perfect for early readers. They are  filled with fun, friendship, animals and diversity, showing that everyone is different and in a good way. As the sixth book in the overall series, and the second in the Dress Up Collection series, we see things start out normally – as normally as they can for these two friends. And then the pets arrive, and good old Gus gets involved. Gus, the irate, talking cat with a heart of gold always causes havoc for Cassie and Lina. He wants their attention, because both girls are loyal to Gus, each other and their clients. The special thing about these books is that they help to build a child’s literacy, but also their empathy, and ability to learn about responsibility and helping each other and people wherever you can.

These adorable books are quick reads for confident readers, and have enough space for reluctant readers to build their reading skills, and are aimed at readers aged five to nine. This addition gives readers something  new and magical to read, and a wonderful addition to the series. It explores love of animals, and will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers. I think the appeal will come from the themes of friendship and loyalty, the role of animals, and the idea of giving children responsibility based on what they are capable of.

 For younger readers, they can be used to build reading skills, whilst with older readers, could be used to discuss pet care, responsibility, friendship and working together as well as problem solving in a fun, vibrant way, and each book can be read alone or in order.

Another great Ella Shine book!