Russell Kane visits Wolverhampton Grammar School for the launch of new book Pet Selector! 

Pet-loving comedian, presenter and chart-topping podcast host, Russell Kane visits Wolverhampton Grammar School for the launch of new book Pet Selector!, Russell’s hilarious tribute to household pets... the usual and unusual!  

Russell, who has become one of the UK’s most recognisable comedy talents, is also a passionate pet enthusiast. Animal-lover Russell’s owned everything from snakes to house bunnies and believes passionately that with pets it’s personality that counts! He’s collated this uniquely accessible compendium of 40 typical and not so typical household pets, packed with facts which prioritise the information that matters most to families like neediness, lovingness, outdoor skills, etc., Hilarious to all animal-lovers, Pet Selector! doubles as an insightful yet fun-filled resource for families picking their perfect pet.

The event which was organised in partnership with Authors Aloud UK and The Quarto Group saw Russell reading excerpts from his book, sharing laugh-out-loud stories about his own mischievous pets and even featured an interactive animal matching game. Students also had the chance to ask Russell questions, have their photo taken with him and receive signed copies of Pet Selector!. 

Russell’s event highlighted how choosing the right pet and finding personalities that complement your own can lead to creating strong connections that stand the test of time. A key message for children following the event was to show care and respect to others, and this message resonates deeply with the values at Wolverhampton Grammar School, where we champion respect, inclusion, and the belief that true connections are built on understanding and kindness.

I’ve learned so much from my pets over the years – I’ve lived with everything from Burmese and Ragdoll cats to Cocker Spaniels and Stick Insects… and let me tell you… each of them had distinct banter (and yes, I did used to laugh and joke with my Stick Insect called Rambo). But seriously, choosing a pet is about finding a match based on personality, not just looks or trends. Pets are more than just animals – they’re family!

Russell Kane

As part of our work to ensure that all children are inspired to read, we were delighted to work in partnership with Authors Aloud UK and Quarto Group to enable Russell to meet hundreds of school children from across Wolverhampton today. Russell’s visit ensured that children left the event with many happy memories, an enthusiasm for reading and lots of information linked to pet care.

Zoe Rowley - Head Librarian at WGS