A seemingly effortless story replete with gentle humor and examples of resilience, helpfulness, and flexibility.
“It’s a perfect day for a pignic.”
On a sunny, blue-sky day, a frolicsome family of pigs sets off for a festive picnic, but enjoying the day isn’t quite as easy as it seems. Minimal text and sweet, playful pencil-and-watercolor art formatted in comic-strip panels and full- and double-page spreads show Phelan’s hardy porcine heroes as they valiantly set out on a worthy quest to enjoy themselves. But climbing trees can be hard when you’re short—is there anyone who can give a piglet a lift? Maybe a friendly tortoise can provide a step….And flying a kite can be a challenge without wind—is there anyone who can supply some? Perhaps a wolf with a lungful of hot air….The meal goes well (“Pretzels! Pies! Pickles! And plums!”), but when it looks as though a storm is coming (“Uh-oh. Dark clouds”), it’s up to the pigs to find the best in a bad situation. Mud, anyone? This warm, nearly wordless story is a nice choice for young listeners and early readers, who will bask in the light of this sparkling celebration of togetherness, goodwill, and the great outdoors. More sophisticated readers will wonder at the wolf’s intentions; what they will see as a change in heart brought about by the pigs’ disarming charm, younger readers will simply see as good-hearted fellow feeling.
A seemingly effortless story replete with gentle humor and examples of resilience, helpfulness, and flexibility. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-244339-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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