The Pet Club

written by Lisa Mantchev

illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

These two books—Strictly No Elephants and The Trouble with Giraffes—aren’t a formal series, but they absolutely read like they belong together. Both Lisa Mantchev stories circle around the same big idea: what happens when someone (or some very lovable animal companion) doesn’t quite fit in.

What I really like about them is that they don’t just tell kids “be kind” in a general way. They actually show what inclusion looks like in real life—sometimes awkward, sometimes creative, but always worth the effort. The tone is gentle, the message is clear, and the illustrations carry a lot of the emotional weight in a really soft, accessible way.

These are the kinds of books that work beautifully as read-alouds, especially when you want something that opens up conversations without feeling heavy-handed.

Strictly No Elephants

A boy and his pet elephant are turned away from Pet Club because elephants aren’t allowed. Instead of giving up, they set out to create a new kind of club—one where everyone is welcome, no matter how different they are. A sweet, simple story about inclusion and making your own space when you don’t fit the rules.

The Trouble with Giraffes

When a giraffe joins Pet Club, things quickly get complicated—he’s just too big for the space they’ve always used. The kids have to figure out how to adjust, rethink, and make room for a new friend. A gentle story about flexibility, problem-solving, and learning that belonging sometimes means changing the space, not the friend.