Pippa and Percival, Pancake and Poppy

March 1, 2018
Preschool-G This tremendously fun read-aloud centers on four puppies who meet each other, one at a time. It beings with Poppy, a spaniel who digs under a fence until she finds a sheepdog, Pancake. They play until they happen up Percival, a dachshund. This merry group then comes across Pippa, a poodle jumping from a pile of leaves. The concept of discovering puppies should appeal to young children, to say the least, and the enjoyment is enhanced by Diesen's anticipatory use of the phrase and that's when they found prior to each page turn. Two nice plot turns ensue. First, the puppies venture into a shadowy, scary alley and this time encounter not a puppy but a huge, hissing cat. Second, each puppy finds its owner again and returns home. Different breeds and diverse owners underscore the notion of everyone getting along (except the cat), while the bright acrylic paints and varying perspectives add playfulness. The rhymes, alliteration, and wordplay all make this a romp to read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)