DON’T CALL ME SIDNEY

Sidney the pig discovers that he is quite a poet when he pens a verse for his best friend, Gabie the duck, on her birthday. While everyone else enjoys cake, Sidney worries about his own upcoming birthday…and the fact that he can’t think of anything to rhyme with Sidney! Once home, Sidney searches for a new name for himself and decides Joe rhymes with a sufficiently long list of words. At first he’s confused by all the calls he gets for “Joe.” He gets used to the new name just in time for his mother’s visit—but she’s distressed by the name change, since he was named after an illustrious ancestor (he invented the mop). After a night of soul searching, “Joe” comes up with a newer name that suits everyone. There’s not a lot of humor or surprise here, but Sutton’s story will appeal to young poets and listeners who are searching for their own individuality. Gallio’s muted and stylish acrylic-and-collage illustrations add a spark of whimsy and fun to what might otherwise have been a pedestrian piggy parable. (Picture book. 3-5)