Today’s recommendation is actually a series of early readers by the incomparable (and I do mean that; who else has written three different series featuring distinct, memorable and iconic characters?) Mo Willems. We’ll get to Knuffle Bunny and the Pigeon later, but today I want to focus on Elephant & Piggy.
To say that I like the Elephant & Piggie stories is an understatement. With a mixture of humor and friendship, spontaneity and empathy, and seemingly every personality trait contrasted between the two, Elephant and Piggie are the modern Bert and Ernie or the Odd Couple. I don’t know if I can identify only one of their stories to recommend. You’ll just have to read all 25.
I recommend the Elephant & Piggie books for kids who are not yet reading as well as those who are ready to start reading shorter books on their own. Basically, everyone between the ages of 4 and 8 should and hopefully will enjoy these books. (Plus, I think adults will like them as well.)
Happy reading.
Paul Rondema 