Peddles

Peddles
by Elizabeth Rose Stanton
40 pages; ages 4-8
Simon & Schuster, 2016

theme: imagination, being different

opening: Peddles was just a pig. He lived on a farm with the other pigs, doing the usual pig things...

... but when other pigs are slurping down slops, Peddles is wishing for pizza. He dreams of wings, of having long hoppy legs. But nothing ever happens. Until... one night he hears a fiddle and the clonking of boots on the barn floor.

If a cat can play the fiddle, if a cow can jump over the moon ... why can't Peddles dance? All he needs is a pair of boots and a plan!

What I like about this book: Like another pig in a book-universe far, far away, Peddles is "some pig". He's the outsider with wild ideas. But even when his ideas are crazy - and a bit wobbly - his friends support him. I also like the red boots, the crazy socks, the notion that pigs could fly... and the wonderful illustrations.

Beyond the Book:

Do you have any dreams of what you'd like to do? If so, find a pair of boots and make a plan. Draw a picture of you flying or sailing or writing books - or wherever those boots might take you.

Dance! All you need to do is turn on some music and move your legs. Create a dance for Peddles and his pig pals.

Get to know a pig. There are many breeds of pigs, and maybe you can find some to visit near you. Maybe your zoo has some, or a local farm has some. If not, you can check out different kinds of pigs here and some miniature pigs here.

Think about an unusual animal you might know... and then add a dash of imagination. A couple years ago, Elizabeth Stanton wrote about an unusual hen that had arms instead of wings. Maybe your cat or dog or guinea pig or cockatoo wants to do something grand and unexpected. What if.....? Grab a pencil or some crayons and explore that "what if".

 Today is PPBF (perfect picture book Friday) over at  Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.  Review copy from the publisher.