Book Series Review of Poppleton and Poppleton and Friends
The Children’s Book Review

What to Expect: Easy Reader, Anthropomorphic Animals, Friendship

There are so many easy-reader books out there designed to help kindergarteners and first graders learn to read independently. Most of them are characterized by bright illustrations in blocky primary colors, carefully chosen age-appropriate vocabulary, simple sentences, and stultifying boring stories. I have read countless of these readers, sent home with my kindergartener as reading homework, and I worry endlessly that they are designed to convince even the most enthusiastic reader that they dislike reading. That is why I am absolutely thrilled to have discovered the Poppleton series.  

The Poppleton books, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Mark Teague, are short, humorous stories about Poppleton, a pig who moved from a big city to a little country town. Poppleton makes friends, enjoys himself, and learns how to cope with life’s little problems with a great deal of laughter along the way. In fact, the first book had me laughing so much, I cried.

The careful vocabulary and sentence structure have not been sacrificed, however, making these stories ideal for a reader just starting to get the hang of reading independently. The illustrations are beautiful, detailed, softly colored pencil drawings; I especially like the subtle manipulation of the animal faces to convey expression and personality. The books remind me of Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad books and share with his work a gentle sense of humor and a focus on the power of friendship.

I highly recommend the Poppleton series: parents and young readers alike are sure to enjoy it.

Written by Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated by Mark Teague

Ages 5-7 | 64 Pages

Publisher: Scholastic Inc. | ISBN: 978-1338566680

Buy the Book

Written by Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated by Mark Teague

Ages 5-7 | 64 Pages

Publisher: Scholastic Inc. | ISBN: 978-13385666703

Buy the Book

About the Author

Cynthia Rylant has written more than 100 books, including Dog Heaven, Cat Heaven, and the Newbery Medal-winning novel Missing May. She lives with her pets in Oregon.

About the Illustrator

Mark Teague is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator whose books include the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling How Do Dinosaurs… series, the LaRue series, FIREHOUSE!, FUNNY FARM, and many other humorous picture books. Mark lives in New York state with his wife and their two daughters.

Poppleton and Poppleton and Friends, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Mark Teague, was reviewed by Dr. Jen Harrison. Discover more books like Poppleton and Poppleton and Friends by following our reviews and articles tagged with Poppleton books, easy reader, anthropomorphic animals, humor, and friendship.