Title: Peddles
Author & Illustrator: Elizabeth Rose Stanton
Publisher: Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster, 2016
Themes: pigs, dreams, dancing
Ages: 3-7
Opening:
Peddles was just a pig.
He lived on a farm with other pigs, doing the usual pig things:
eating and sleeping
and oinking and rooting
and wallowing
and…
Synopsis:
Have you ever been tempted to lump all pigs into the same stall? Well let me stop your right there, or let me share Peddles’ story with you to help demonstrate the error of your ways. Peddles may do all the usual piggy activities but in his heart, he knows he’s destined for more. He dreams outside the pen and won’t let the other pigs dissuade him.
Peddles ideas grow more radical and impossible, but still unrealized until one day, some ole humans square dancing in the barn gives him a solid idea and a realization that what he really wants to do is dance. He isn’t stupid and knows you can’t dance without them boots, and off he goes in search of a pair. But Peddles is going to need more than a pair of red cowboy boots to reach his dream. Sometimes a little help from our friends is what we need to make those dreams come true.
Why I like this book:
Adorable strong characterization gives Peddles the quirk and courage to ignore the naysayers and pursue his dreams. There is gentle but persistent humor throughout the illustrations and the ending is so very satisfying. We root for Peddles and his dogged pigged persistence in unconformity. Then we commiserate with the failure of his clever solution only to be lifted by friendship on the final spread.
Lots of white space and careful use of color to certain spreads makes the story visually very appealing and Stanton has powerful touch in her anthropomorphism.
I want to add some of the Peddles’ love that occurred during his birthday week last week on FB
Activities/resources:
Have the children draw their favorite farmyard animal with as much expression and characterization as they can. Then have them add just one item of clothing.
Read an interview I did with the author/illustrator here.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Pig power! Hee hee!
The cover is so inviting. What a wonderfully entertaining book! Young children will just love this story.
Peddles sounds like a pig with plenty of gumption! This also sounds like a must-read, must-share picture book.
I want to read to see if Peddles is a two-legged or four-legged dancer. And of course, because he looks adorable!
I’m working on a book right now that could benefit from using this as a mentor text. Thanks for highlighting!
Put the Peddles to the metal! Full speed ahead!
Love this endearing piggie so much.
Aw, adorable! This sound like a fun story!
What a pig! Can’t wait to read this book.
I love all the illustrations of pigs and your activity to go along with it. I have recently taken a liking to drawing and will try this out myself. ( after I recover from digging snow. 🙂 )
I will read your interview later as well.
I shared this on facebook and pinned it to my pinterest board.
This sounds awesome! 😀