Animal Crackers

by Ruby Wright
Animal Crackers cover
Good Books rating 4.26
Children's Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 320
  • Added: 2025-09-10
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781915395016
  • Published: 2023-01-01
  • Formats: 18
  • Reviews: 4
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99 Hardback • £6.00

Maisie is a curious girl whose head is full of fascinating animal facts, and she desperately wants a pet of her own. However, her mum insists their flat is too small for a real animal. Everything changes when a packet of animal crackers magically brings Maisie's wish to life, unleashing a whole zoo-full of animals in their home. The story blends fantasy and wish fulfillment with the realities of modern childhood, delivering both playful chaos and gentle humor. This debut picture book by Ruby Wright features imaginative storytelling and charming illustrations inspired by food packaging design. Maisie's animal encounters encourage children to embrace their imagination and explore the wonders of the natural world, while the mum’s clever solution at the end offers a heartwarming message about family and creativity. The book is celebrated for its engaging blend of fun facts, fantasy, and relatable family dynamics.

Reviews
Rocket Bird Books · Ruby Wright · 2025-09-10
insightful 4.00

The author shares the personal inspiration behind the book, revealing how the story reflects childhood memories and the importance of imaginative solutions over traditional endings.

Ruby Wright provides insight into the creative process behind 'Animal Crackers,' explaining how the story was shaped during a challenging period of lockdown and isolation. She reflects on the difficulty of endings in storytelling and how her own childhood memories inspired the book’s unique conclusion, where imagination and love replace the expectation of a real pet. This personal perspective enriches the understanding of the book’s themes, emphasizing the emotional connection between parent and child and the power of creativity in overcoming limitations. It shows the book as not only a charming story but also a heartfelt tribute to family and imagination.

Quick quotes

    I knew that the animals on the food packets would come to life and chaos would ensue.

    The ending definitely shouldn’t be that the child gets a real pet.

    Maisie ends up getting her bedroom decorated with all her favourite animal friends because her Mum knows how to make her feel loved.

UKLitAG · 2025-09-10
delightful 4.30

The book is recognized as an exceptional debut with a delightful blend of wish-fulfillment and the humorous reality of pet ownership, featuring endearing animal facts and a warm family resolution.

This review emphasizes the book's charm as a debut work that skillfully balances the fantasy of wish fulfillment with the practical realities of having pets, including the less glamorous aspects. Maisie's knowledge of animals adds a smile-worthy element that engages readers, while the story's resolution through the mother's thoughtful solution is highlighted as heartwarming and empowering. The reviewer admires how the story brings fun and educational content together, making it appealing for children who dream of having pets but face real-world limitations. The narrative's warmth and humor make it a standout debut that resonates with both children and parents.

Quick quotes

    Exceptional debut from UK author-illustrator Ruby Wright.

    Wish-fulfilment at its best, followed by the smelly reality!

    Mum’s solution at the end is heart-warming parent-power at its best.

MobyTheGreat · 2025-09-10
heartwarming 4.50

The debut book is praised for its blend of humor and realistic depiction of children's lives, capturing the enthusiasm and imagination of the protagonist in a heartwarming way.

This review highlights the book as an exciting debut that effectively mixes fantasy with the realities of modern childhood, particularly the responsibilities that come with having pets. The story is noted for capturing the charm of Maisie's enthusiasm and her mother's imaginative approach, making it relatable and engaging for young readers. The humor and the inclusion of animal facts enrich the narrative, making it both fun and educational. The reviewer appreciates how the book balances wish fulfillment with practical lessons about responsibility, especially in pet care, which adds depth to the story. They also mention the distinctive illustration style informed by the author's background in sculpture, which adds a unique visual appeal to the book.

Quick quotes

    In this stunning debut from Ruby Wright, Maisie's enthusiasm and her mum's imagination will capture your heart.

    This exciting debut mixes fantasy and wish fulfilment with the reality of modern children's lives.

    Maisie discovers that with a great number of pets comes an even greater amount of responsibility. And poop-scooping.

LoveReading4Kids · 2024-04-11
heartwarming 4.25

The story is a gorgeous and exciting debut that also conveys important truths about pet ownership and living in small spaces.

This review highlights the book as a delightful, lively picture book filled with excitement and relatable themes, especially for families who cannot have pets due to space constraints. The reviewer appreciates how Maisie's enthusiasm for animals is charmingly portrayed alongside practical lessons about responsibility and space, with Ruby Wright's bright illustrations enhancing the engaging adventure. It is noted as a helpful and heartwarming story for parents and children alike, making it a valuable addition to children's literature.

Quick quotes

    A gorgeous story, bursting with excitement and some home pet truths too.

    Ruby Wright’s bright screen print illustrations are very appealing and perfectly suited to her lively picture book adventure.

    Really useful to parents in homes that just can’t accommodate pets.

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