Friday Fiction - Mo Willems: “Elephant and Piggie”

Children’s author and illustrator Mo Willems’ award-winning “Elephant and Piggie” first-reader series continues to charm readers both young and old. Featuring two lovable and funny characters — an optimistic (and sometimes reckless) pig and a cautious, pessimistic elephant — these books make reading irresistible to beginning readers. Author of the Caldecott Honor-winning books Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity, and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Willems' other groundbreaking picture books include Leonardo, the Terrible Monster and Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct.
.
Children who sat on their parents' laps to have “Pigeon” read to them will eagerly take the plunge with “Elephant and Piggie” to start reading on their own. The following "E & Ps" are available in the Copper Queen Library’s Children’s Collection:
.
Are You Ready to Play Outside? (2008) - In a refreshing reversal of their usual roles, the often-despondent Gerald proves to be a valuable friend to exuberant Piggie when her own naturally sunny disposition fails her. Fretful about the sudden rain that threatens to ruin an afternoon of running, skipping, and jumping, Piggie declares emphatically that she is "not a happy pig." Poor Gerald patiently weathers the rain and her brief tantrum and, as readers might expect, the pair soon make the most of the situation when two ecstatic worms cavorting in the rain inspire them to find happiness in wet-weather play.

.
Can I Play Too? (2010) - Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In Can I Play Too?, Gerald and Piggie meet a new snake friend who wants to join in a game of catch. But don't you need arms to catch?
.

Elephants Cannot Dance! (2009) - Piggie tries to teach Gerald some new moves. But will Gerald teach Piggie something even more important?

.
.

..
I Am Going (2010) - The mercurial friendship of Elephant and Piggie survives another minor (but seemingly life-ending!) tiff. The two are basking in shared bliss when Piggie announces, “Well, I am going.” Elephant proceeds to get histrionic, clawing at his ears and wailing, “Who will I skip with? Who will I play Ping-Pong with? Who will I wear a silly hat with? WHO WILL I SKIP AND PLAY PING-PONG IN A SILLY HAT WITH?!?!”

.
.
I Am Invited to a Party! (2007) - Piggie is invited to her first party. She doesn't know what to wear, though, so she asks her best friend Elephant for help. Elephant's advice is odd to say the least, so Piggie will try on all sorts of zany outfits before finally arriving at the party for a hilarious surprise.

.
I Love My New Toy! (2008) - Piggie has a great new toy, although she’s not exactly sure what it does. Elephant thinks that perhaps it’s a throwing toy. And throw it he does, right up in the air, and then it smashes in two pieces. Uh-oh. He is by turns ashamed, chagrined, and apologetic, while Piggie is mad, sad, and finally embarrassed when Squirrel comes around and spots the toy as one of the “break-and-snap” variety and “fixes” it for them. Realizing the toy’s as good as new, the friends also realize that playing together is more fun than any old toy!

.
.
I Will Surprise My Friend! (2008) - Squirrel surprises his friend by hiding behind a tiny rock and yelling, “Boo!” The squirrels have such fun that Elephant and Piggie decide to try it too, but alas, surprising each other, when both know a surprise is coming, isn’t that easy.

.

My Friend Is Sad (2007) - Piggie tries hard to cheer up her dejected friend. She disguises herself as a cowboy, clown, and robot, but Gerald doesn't recognize her and is sad because she isn't there to enjoy the fun. Without missing a beat, Piggie points out that he needs new glasses.

.
.

Pigs Make Me Sneeze (2009) - When Gerald cannot stop sneezing, he is sure he is allergic to pigs. His effervescent best friend takes things in stride until the fits of sneezing threaten to end their friendship. When Gerald sees Dr. Cat, he decides that his continued sneezing means he is also allergic to cats. When the doctor informs him that he is sick with a cold, the elephant is elated and rushes to tell his best friend. Unfortunately, now Piggie's sneezing, too!

.

There Is a Bird on Your Head! (2007) - Gerald discovers that there is something worse than a bird on your head — two birds on your head! Can Piggie help her best friend?

.

.

Today I Will Fly! (2007) - Piggie is determined to fly. But Gerald the elephant knows that it's impossible — isn't it?

.
.

.
.

Watch Me Throw the Ball (2009) - Gerald is determined to teach Piggie that ball-throwing is serious business... but Piggie is just as determined to have serious fun.