Mo Willems’s most recent Elephant and Piggie adventure, Should I Share My Ice Cream?, had a lot of Gerald and very little Piggie. Now don’t get me wrong, I like Gerald, but I can identify with his more introverted nature. And I think for that reason, Piggie is my favorite of the two friends. Her enthusiasm and energy are contagious and never fail to make me and the kids laugh. So when the latest adventure, Happy Pig Day! arrived, I was happy to see it featured a lot more Piggie.
Piggie is so happy, it’s the best day of the year – Pig Day! The best day to have a pig party, sing pig songs, and say “Oinky! Oink! Oink!” Only Gerald thinks he can’t celebrate Pig Day because well, he’s not a pig. Of course Piggie shows him the error of his ways and Gerald joins in the celebration of the pig.
Elephant and Piggie books are easy readers geared toward preschoolers and Willems definitely knows his audience. Kids of that age can and will celebrate anything, so why not Pig Day? But they also know what it’s like to feel left out, and will identify with Gerald’s fear that he doesn’t fit in.
Fans of Mo Willems know his end papers are often as entertaining as the book, and the pigeon’s appearance will leave kids and adults giggling, as will the rest of Happy Pig Day!
Nancy thinks every day should be Pig Day. She writes about her 2 boys, books and life in Colorado at Life With My Boys and Books.
I missed the Ice Cream one, but I have to admit that I’m team Gerald, so I might have to check it out!!
Ha- now we’re Team Gerald or Team Piggie?? TOO funny!! I think I’m much more like Gerald than Piggie, so I guess I know which jersey to wear.
I’m always excited for a new E&P book, and I cannot wait for the library to get this one in!