PETER'S SONG - Hardcover

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Kindergarten-Grade 2-- ``Oh, I'm a little pig,/ oinky, oinky, oinky, oink'' sings Peter Pig, looking for someone to listen to him. The hens, the horse, the cows, and even his mother are uninterested, so he runs away. At the pond he is joined in song by a frog. With glowing fireflies, notes floating in the air, and cartoonlike double-takes, there is little subtlety in the illustrations. Some pictures work quite well, e.g., when the crotchety hens turn a beady eye on Peter. In general, the closeups, although sometimes overblown, are the most successful; longer views, in comparison, seem static. Peter is no Wilbur, but his exaggerated expressions have charm and are easy to read. The text, when framed in white squares, intrudes on the thickly painted landscape; at other times it is more harmoniously printed over the sky or other background. Unfortunately, it is too long, lacking the tight storytelling cadence found in George Shannon's Lizard's Song (1981) or Dance Away! (1982, both Greenwillow), and crowds the full-page pictures. This is not a completely successful effort, but the theme of a child's bursting with enthusiasm to share a creative effort will strike a chord in youngsters. Both Peter's and the frog's songs are appropriately childlike, and the exuberant cover may attract readers. --Karen James, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The talents of newcomer Saul and veteran illustrator de Groat ( Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth ) mesh splendidly in this buoyant tale of a pert piglet. Peter is very proud of the song he has composed, but all the barnyard animals (including his mother, who is napping) are too preoccupied to listen to him sing it. So the resolute porker goes off in search of someone who will appreciate his tune. At a nearby pond, he encounters Frank the frog, who not only listens to Peter's song, but shares his own. Finally, the new friends make music together, as "Peter sang songs in his sweet high piggy voice and Frank sang in his rich low froggy voice." Though Saul's endearing narrative is an impressive first effort, it is de Groat's paintings--capturing nature's distinctive hues as well as Peter's engaging expressions--that steal this show. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.