This week’s book, My Friend Is Sad, is actually part of a series: Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems. A best-friend-duo as glorious as Frog and Toad, Elephant (Gerald!) is a womper with intellect-exuding glasses, and Piggie (…err Piggie!) is a brazen optimist. Willems is an exceptional storyteller; the series blends both wit and engaging plots that are powerful enough to captivate a 22-year old (me). Minimalist and expressive illustrations complement his strong story lines extremely well.
Although the title may suggest a narrative ridden with despondency, My Friend Is Sad is far from cut-your-wrist melodrama. The book chronicles Piggie’s attempt to cheer up a very morose Gerald. Baffled by Gerald’s depression, Piggie even tries to dress up as a robot (note picture above!). I mean, if I was depressed and someone dressed up as a robot for me, I’d instantaneously become happy. Like every other Elephant and Piggie book, the ending has an unexpected twist. No, Gerald doesn’t choke himself with his trunk.
Note: The picture of Mo above is from The Brooklyn Paper. Yep. He’s from Park Slope!
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6 Responses for "Children’s Book of the Week: My Friend is Sad"
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was always my favourite children’s book! :)
AHAHAHA I have never heard of that book. But, with a title like that, I’m sure it’s a winner.
I lovelovelove the Elephant and Piggie books, they are so charming!
TRICIA YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS?!!!! This concerns me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:( I have never heard of it. SHAME-TEARS-BLUBBERING.
the ending sold me for this book. at first i was skeptical, but by the end, the simplicity of the drawings, storyline, and multi-faceted relationship between Gerald and Piggie won me over! go read it now if you haven’t!
tricia, are you sure someone dressed up as a robot wouldn’t scare you? you better watch out! next time i come visit i may be in disguise…and then you’ll probably WHACK me! ha ha.
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