Book Details
Written by
Illustrated by
Genre
More details
See more book reviews

A Little Pigeon Toad (by Fred Gwynne)

common sense media says

Tongue-in-cheek tale might misjudge its audience.

parents & educators say
Be the first to review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there's nothing here to worry about. The artwork is squarely aimed at the funny bone, and the simple text is easy to digest. But it lacks any zest or poetry that might have amplified the pleasures of the figures of speech and homonyms it features.

Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on A Little Pigeon Toad

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the meaning and origins of a silly-sounding phrase like "pigeon toed" (which, to the human ear, sounds just like the "pigeon toad" mentioned in the book's title). Parents can also explain that these words and phrases are called homonyms and idioms, and can talk about the differences between the two concepts. Are there any homonyms you can think of that aren't mentioned in the book? What about idioms? Which illustration was your favorite? Why?

What's the story?

What's the story?
A collection of common (and not-so-common) expressions, altered with clever homonyms, then depicted literally in pictures, to zany effect. The text is just the idioms, but the humor is all in the delightfully goofy artwork. Kids enjoy the verbal play, and thinking up their own versions.

 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The major drawback to Fred Gwynne's chucklefest over the vagaries of language is the discrepancy between the audience who will enjoy his ingenuous visual humor and those who will understand the words or expressions he's punning. Youngsters will be amused by a plant draped with firearms, for example. But will they understand -- or even want to understand -- the difference between pistols and pistils? And what percentage of the four-year-old population is going to crack a smile at the picture of a girl sewing banners and the accompanying text: "In Sunday School they say when you are bad you should do pennants"?

With younger kids, you can expect this book to generate little interest -- or a lot of questions -- and therein lies its strength: as a provocation to delve into the suppleness of language and the joys of wordplay. Older kids who can be convinced to give it a look are often delighted.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Fred Gwynne
Illustrator: Fred Gwynne
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: June 1, 1990
Number of pages: 32
Paperback price: $6.99
This review was written by Peter Lewis
 
 

Review It

 

Review A Little Pigeon Toad

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you read A Little Pigeon Toad?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already read it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more books
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines