Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Book Review: It's a Big World, Little Pig!


It’s a Big World, Little Pig!

By: Kristi Yamaguchi
Illustrated by: Tim Bowers
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Publication Date: March 2012
ISBN: 978-1402266447
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: March 1, 2012

Last year, Kristi Yamaguchi introduced young readers to Poppy, an adorable little pig who dreamed of being an ice-skating star in Dream Big, Little Pig! With the success of that book, Yamaguchi has penned a follow-up, It’s a Big World, Little Pig!


In this tale, Poppy is invited to Paris, France to compete in the World Games. She’s excited but at the same time, frightened of traveling so far from home. Her friends and family tell Poppy to dream big and go for it. Poppy decides to take their advice and make the trip to Paris.

Arriving at the World Athlete Village, Poppy is quite nervous. The village is so big and there are so many people wandering here and there; how will Poppy find her way around? Will the other competitors speak the same language and will Poppy make any friends?

This book shows young readers that while people from other places may look and sound different, we are, truly, all the same. Poppy’s fears are quickly dissipated as she makes friends and learns a few words in other languages. While the story is somewhat appealing, its universal message of friendship is not expressed that uniquely and the ending is quite predictable. The writing is rather stilted and lines such as “Paris was far away from Poppy’s home in New Pork City,” stick out as an attempt at “cuteness” that fail to amuse. The celebrity status of the author will no doubt sell more books than this title would normally garner for such a story. However, with the outstanding illustrations by Tim Bowers, the book should appeal to many children.

Quill says: The illustrations are the real stars of this rather ordinary tale.

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