I Need a Snake

A parent should reach for this book when their child has latched onto a very specific, and perhaps unconventional, desire that negotiation can't seem to shake. This story is for the family navigating the classic standoff between what a child wants and what a parent is willing to provide. The book follows a little boy who desperately wants a snake, and only a snake, for his birthday. His well-meaning parents try to placate him with a series of more 'appropriate' pets, from a guinea pig to a puppy, each with hilariously disastrous results. The humor shines as the boy's single-minded focus clashes with his parents' gentle misdirection. It’s a wonderfully lighthearted read for ages 5 to 8 that validates a child's strong feelings while gently poking fun at the parent-child negotiation dance. It opens a low-stakes conversation about desire, compromise, and perseverance.