Betsy Haynes’ “Bone Chillers” series continues to surprise, and “Little Pet Shop of Horrors” is no exception. As someone delving into these books, having previously explored titles like Beware the Shopping Mall, I found this particular story took an unexpected turn, venturing into themes that might resonate with a broader audience than initially anticipated for children’s horror.
It’s fascinating how online retailers like Amazon provide “people who bought this also bought” suggestions. In this case, the recommendations for “Little Pet Shop of Horrors” were so unexpected that they initially seemed like an error. However, upon reading the book, it became clear that there’s a unique appeal to this story, possibly attracting readers intrigued by more than just typical children’s horror elements. This book seems to hold a special place for readers who appreciate its peculiar narrative.
Delving into the “also bought” suggestions reveals a potential formative impact this book may have had on some readers. The narrative itself centers around a girl’s transformation into an adorable puppy. This puppy is then adopted by the boy from her class who often teases her. Living in his home, she begins to see a different side to him as he cares for her, even hand-feeding her. This dynamic introduces a layer of complexity that moves beyond simple horror, and it’s these undertones that perhaps contribute to its wider, and somewhat unexpected, appeal.
Let’s swiftly move on to the core of “Little Pet Shop of Horrors”. It’s a surprisingly gentle, almost non-scary horror story centered on Cassie, a young girl with a strong desire for a dog, despite her allergies.
Cassie and her best friend, Suki Chen, a gymnastics enthusiast, stumble upon a peculiar little pet shop. This isn’t your average pet store; it takes custom orders, promising to find the exact pet you desire. While Suki isn’t particularly interested, she suggests that this unique shop might be the answer to Cassie’s dreams of owning a hypo-allergenic dog.
On their way home, they encounter a group of unpleasant boys from school. These boys, using cruel nicknames, include David Ferrante, who attempts to intimidate them with his new pet – a tarantula. Ironically, David later needs to find another pet, having accidentally killed the tarantula by sitting on it. This unfortunate incident takes on a darker tone once the true nature of the pet shop becomes apparent.
Mr. Willard, the pet shop’s owner, offers Cassie a drink, leading her to lose consciousness and awaken transformed into a young golden retriever. David and his overbearing parents then appear, and David adopts her. The narrative then explores Cassie’s experiences as a dog. Unable to communicate with humans, her attempts to revert to human form, marked by constant barking and an escape attempt, lead to her being returned to the pet shop. There, Mr. Willard reveals his sinister plan to kill her.
Cassie manages to evade him, and in his brief absence, she accidentally knocks over and drinks a mysterious liquid, which reverses the transformation, turning her back into a human. Finding herself naked, she discovers a pile of discarded clothes, presumably from other transformed children, and escapes through a window.
Back home, she fabricates a story of amnesia to explain her days-long absence. Her parents then surprise her with “good news”: they’ve gotten her a dog! It’s a Pekingese.
Cassie bent double with laughter. “You’re so funny! You remind me of my best friend, Suki.”
Suddenly the little dog stopped running. It looked up at Cassie with pleading eyes. Then without warning it turned a perfect back flip.
Cassie stopped cold and stared at the dog.
“Suki!?”
This revelation serves as the book’s cliffhanger ending.
In conclusion, “Little Pet Shop of Horrors” is more than just a children’s horror story. It subtly blends themes of transformation, unexpected friendships, and a touch of the bizarre, making it a memorable read that might just have a broader appeal than one might initially expect from a book in the “Bone Chillers” series. Its exploration of a magical “My Little Pet Shop” and its peculiar offerings creates a narrative that lingers in the mind, prompting reflection beyond the typical scares of children’s horror.
