A clear message wrapped in an enigmatic story with lovely illustrations
A pig who lives in the lap of luxury learns to walk on the wild side.
Piggy is an anthropomorphic pig who lives in an imposing country house with a human boy named Thomas. Thomas dresses Piggy as he wants, makes Piggy play what he wants, and talks Piggy’s ear off. A visit from Thomas’ cousin brings Piggy some relief, and he explores outside the house, encountering Wild Pig. Wild Pig is puzzled by Piggy’s clothes but is friendly, inviting his domestic cousin for a run. Piggy declines, returning to the confinement of the home. Eventually the cousin leaves, and Piggy must bear the brunt of Thomas’ attention himself—at which point he leaves Thomas’ tea party, sheds his clothes, and goes beyond the fence to join Wild Pig. Gulemetova’s quirky little tale tantalizes with its ellipses: How does Piggy come to live with Thomas? Where are Thomas’ parents? But even as it leaves questions dangling, it entrances young readers with its expansive, atmospheric illustrations. Inside Thomas’ house it’s all straight lines and sterile rooms; outside, the horizon is far away, and green hills beckon. Though children may find the idea of a talking pet pig who does what they demand thrilling, they will also see Thomas’ cruelty and, perhaps, examine themselves for similar self-centeredness. Thomas has beige skin.
A clear message wrapped in an enigmatic story with lovely illustrations . (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-84643-931-5
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Child's Play
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
Hee haw.
The print version of a knee-slapping cumulative ditty.
In the song, Smith meets a donkey on the road. It is three-legged, and so a “wonky donkey” that, on further examination, has but one eye and so is a “winky wonky donkey” with a taste for country music and therefore a “honky-tonky winky wonky donkey,” and so on to a final characterization as a “spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey.” A free musical recording (of this version, anyway—the author’s website hints at an adults-only version of the song) is available from the publisher and elsewhere online. Even though the book has no included soundtrack, the sly, high-spirited, eye patch–sporting donkey that grins, winks, farts, and clumps its way through the song on a prosthetic metal hoof in Cowley’s informal watercolors supplies comical visual flourishes for the silly wordplay. Look for ready guffaws from young audiences, whether read or sung, though those attuned to disability stereotypes may find themselves wincing instead or as well.
Hee haw. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-545-26124-1
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2018
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