The development of a human-pet relationship is narrated from a guinea pig’s perspective after Bruno brings Titch home from the pet store. Day One demands tolerance from Titch, as Bruno tries to feed him a boy-centric meal, followed by alarming forms of play, like trampoline jumping (“Bouncing-Very-High Game”) and toy-train riding (“Going-Very-Fast Game”). But soon Bruno proves to be an observant and thoughtful pet owner, although Titch worries when he stops playing to focus on sketching plans and working with hammer and nails. Is Bruno bored with him? Will he take him back to the store? Instead, Bruno reveals a “guinea-pig palace,” complete with a fruit-salad bar, a perfectly sized makeshift Jacuzzi, and a hammock located conveniently in a celery garden. Lighthearted pen and watercolor illustrations capture the full range of Titch’s guinea pig emotions, including his contentment with having finally found his own ideal “Big Person.” (Ages 4–8)

Meet Bruno, a wildly inventive boy, and his new pet, Titch, a neurotic, slightly melodramatic guinea pig. Can they get past their differences?

As the only guinea pig left in Mrs. Pinkerley’s pet shop, Titch is getting lonely and anxious. All he wants is his very own Big Person. Then one day a boy named Bruno comes into the shop looking for the perfect pet. Their eyes meet, and Titch has a home at last! There’s just one problem: Bruno loves to play and invent wild games and make big messes (and eat sticky pancakes). As for Titch, well, he prefers the quiet life — a nice nap, a plate of salad leaves. Will they find a way to make their friendship work, or will Titch end up back where he started, in the pet shop? Sheena Dempsey offers a contemporary and comical take on new pets — and new friends.