Poppleton and Friends, Vol. 2

Children's Literature - Meredith Kiger

A marked departure from the usual fare of famed author Rylant, Poppleton and Friends features three vignettes about a pig and his two friends, Cherry Sue and Hudson. It's designed for the emergent reader, but did I miss something here? Each story is so short, it seems to be unfinished or pointless or maybe you have to be six years old. Although the drawings of the three animals are humorous, I did not find the stories thus.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2Poppleton is back. In the first story, the charming pig and his mouse friend, Hudson, travel to the shore where they find shells and eat cheese sandwiches. On the bus ride they meet a group of older ladies who teach them songs and dances and how to win at poker. In the second episode, Poppleton wrestles with the burden of dry skin. He combats it by pouring cooking oil over himself. But, alas, instead of curing the problem, it only makes him hungry for french fries. Cherry Sue, a llama, suggests honey as a cure, but honey makes him think of biscuits. Finally, Cherry Sue, good friend that she is, solves the problem with an amusing twist. In the third and final chapter, Poppleton hears on TV that eating grapefruit can increase one's lifespan. When the enthusiastic pig tastes one, though, his lips turn outside in, tears come to his eyes, and his face turns green. Hudson then supplies the answer to a long life: friends, of course. Teague's exuberant illustrations show the engaging characters enjoying life and one another. This is a wonderful, easy-to-read chapter book that will leave children laughing out loud.Suzanne Hawley, Laurel Oak Elementary School, Naples, FL

Kirkus Reviews

In this second outing for the kindly pig (Poppleton, 1997), readers learn that the keys to happiness are in sharing, kindness, and friendship. Rylant (see review above) features Poppleton's genial interactions with his friends Hudson, a mouse, and Cherry Sue, a llama, in three easy-to-read chapters. The first story is the strongest, when Poppleton boards a bus for the beach and a group of amiable older ladies share songs, poker secrets, and laughs with him and Hudson. At the beach, Poppleton and Hudson enjoy an easy companionship and then recall their good day for Cherry Sue when they return home. In the second story, good-natured Cherry Sue helps Poppleton battle "dry skin" while gently prompting the pig to clean up. In the final story, Poppleton discovers that friendship is the secret to living a long life, a comforting thoughtsimple and pure at heart. This is a far stronger showing than the first book, and Teague makes Rylant's characters all the more lovable.