What You Need to Know:
• The character, Poppleton, a pleasant pig, is introduced here in the first book of many about this character.
• This series has been a favorite for more than 10 years, and does not need to be read in any particular order.
• The watercolor and pencil illustrations are appealing and flow perfectly with the written story.
• The three chapters are unrelated but will make young readers feel more grown up as chapter books are often a goal
at this stage of the reading process.
• This is an excellent book for either the newly independent reader or to read aloud.
• Young readers will be comfortable with the language, which although somewhat simple, is anything but boring. |
Sweet Series Background:
This series of books features a charming pig and his everyday adventures. Human in every way other than the illustrations, Poppleton is a likable, welcoming character. |
Sweet Book Summary:
Poppleton has recently moved from the big city to a small town and readers will enjoy discovering how he adjusts to this change. When Poppleton’s new neighbor, Cherry Sue keeps inviting him over, Poppleton has to figure out how to let her know that he really doesn’t want to join her all the time. Rather than spraying her with a hose, as he does, he realizes that he should have just been honest. Poppleton shows his serious side in chapter two when the reader learns about his ritual of visiting the library every Monday. Finally in the third chapter he helps his sick friend, Fillmore, swallow a pill by hiding it inside something. Twenty-seven cakes later, they are both stuffed.
The illustrations will have readers chuckling, like the one on the first page featuring Poppleton jogging by the rollerblading chicken or reading in the library on page 32. The overview of the town at the beginning and end of the book helps to draw the reader into Poppleton’s world. The repetition of certain phrases, like “yoo-hoo Poppleton” or the recipe for cherry pie, will also keep readers engaged. |
Author: Cynthia Rylant Illustrator: Mark Teague Published: 1997, 56 pages
Themes: Animals – Pigs, Books & Reading, Excellent Read-Aloud, Friendship, Moving |
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