Meet ‘The Unpetables’ — Top Shelf’s Latest Middle Grade Adventure

It’s two best friends who’ve had enough of being petted – time to break free as… The Unpetables!

I covered it when it was announced, back in March, but Dennis Messner’s The Unpetables is already out on the shelves, it was released on 20th June. And it looks an absolute delight, a hell of a lot of fun for all with the adventures of two petting zoo escapees who hire themselves out as freelance pets. There’s just one restriction – strictly no petting allowed!

It’s the tale of Pigmund the pot-bellied pig, child pig prodigy, author of ‘the paper plate diaries,’ and the mastermind behind the break for freedom…

… And his best friend, fellow petting zoo prisoner, Lizárdo the iguana…

So, time to find out what Pigmund and Lizárdo get up to once they slip out of their petting zoo confines, breaking out of the gates using the zoo’s own miniature train no less, and declare their independence. It’s time for them to see the world – but is the world really ready for The Unpetables?

So, will they make it on their own? Or will Maintenance Man Kenny catch them and take them back to Uncle Milo’s All-Natural Petting Zoo?

Well, there’s really only one way to find out!

It looks like it’s enormous fun, with Messner’s lovely b&w artwork perfect for accompanying this riotous tale of animal antics. Silly, funny, great characters – this one should be just the start of the next Top Shelf kids’ success story.

Here’s the Top Shelf PR for this one…

“These two best friends have had ENOUGH of being petted! It’s a non-stop zany middle-grade adventure as they bust out of the petting zoo and hit the road to find their destiny.

Pigmund and Lizárdo are free! They recently “declared independence” from their petting zoo…. and now this pot-bellied pig and iguana are out to SEE THE WORLD.

They are: THE UNPETABLES — and they’re available for temporary work as “freelance pets.” But no matter what gigs the Unpetables may get, they have one very big rule: NO MORE PETTING!

Will Pigmund and Lizárdo find the independence they’re looking for? Or will Maintenance Man Kenny finally catch up with them and take them back to Uncle Milo’s All-Natural Petting Zoo?

Hitch a ride on the nearest chicken and pick up this laugh-a-minute graphic novel, full of rambunctious action and irresistible creativity.”

The Unpetables by Dennis Messner
Published by Top Shelf on 20 June 2023

Now, time for a quick preview of what looks like a manic load of fun…