POPPLETON AND FRIENDS

In this second outing for the kindly pig (Poppleton, 1997), readers learn that the keys to happiness are in sharing, kindness, and friendship. Rylant (see review above) features Poppleton's genial interactions with his friends Hudson, a mouse, and Cherry Sue, a llama, in three easy-to-read chapters. The first story is the strongest, when Poppleton boards a bus for the beach and a group of amiable older ladies share songs, poker secrets, and laughs with him and Hudson. At the beach, Poppleton and Hudson enjoy an easy companionship and then recall their good day for Cherry Sue when they return home. In the second story, good-natured Cherry Sue helps Poppleton battle ""dry skin"" while gently prompting the pig to clean up. In the final story, Poppleton discovers that friendship is the secret to living a long life, a comforting thought--simple and pure at heart. This is a far stronger showing than the first book, and Teague makes Rylant's characters all the more lovable.