Poppleton Series
Kindly pig has adventures with friends in gentle tales.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Cynthia Rylant's Poppleton series has some of the gentlest tales children will hear and read. Each book has three stories about a kindhearted pig, Poppleton, and his adventures with the animal friends in his town. These are great books to read together; the writing is simple but clear, words are repeated to help kids become familiar with sight reading, and concepts are simple enough for preschoolers who have the books read to them. And the short, sweet stories can help a newly independent reader build confidence.
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What's the Story?
In the POPPLETON series, a good-natured pig wearing a suit and a bowler hat moves in next door to a llama, Cherry Sue, who quickly becomes his best friend. Their town is full of other kind animals -- including Hudson the mouse, Fillmore the goat, Zacko the ferret, and more -- who go on everyday adventures together. Poppleton and Hudson take a trip to the beach, Poppleton helps sick Fillmore feel better, and Poppleton and Cherry Sue go to a pancake breakfast. There are seasonal books within the series, and the friends try to do spring cleaning, buy a warm coat, and build with icicles together.
Is It Any Good?
This is a wonderful series for beginning readers. The Poppleton books are a little bit funny, incredibly simple, and packed with sweetness. Parents and kids can read them together, and independent readers likely will find the chapters -- each about 15 pages long, with big, beautiful illustrations -- short enough that they aren’t exhausting. The stories are small and simple but big on being kind, truthful, and proud of who you are.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how friends talk to each other in Poppleton. If they're upset, do they yell and get mad?
What other books have animal friends who go on adventures together? Which ones are your favorites?
What adventures do you like to go on with your friends? What makes someone a good friend?
Book Details
- Author: Cynthia Rylant
- Illustrator: Mark Teague
- Genre: For Beginning Readers
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Horses and Farm Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Blue Sky Press
- Publication date: September 28, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 48
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback
- Award: Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated: June 2, 2020
Our Editors Recommend
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Mercy Watson to the Rescue: Mercy Watson, Book 1
Funny, silly pig story great for early readers.
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Frog and Toad Are Friends
Engaging stories spotlight charming, relatable characters.
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Today I Will Fly!: An Elephant & Piggie Book
Piggie will fly in this spunky read-aloud.
For kids who love animal and friendship tales
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