September 26, 2016
Voigt (the Mister Max books) delivers a warm, subtle novel about the big-hearted adventures of a group of toys living on an island. Spare but astute character development quickly establishes Voigt’s cast, which includes Sid, a perpetually hungry snake; Umpah, an elephant with a penchant for muffin-baking; and Peng, an introverted penguin. Teddy stands firmly at the center, a hopeful wonderer who relies on his friends to push him around in his red wagon, having no legs. Voigt tenderly highlights the friends’ cooperation when they take Teddy to explore new terrain outdoors and figure out how to let him enjoy the water while Prinny, an irrepressible pig, learns how to swim. When a seemingly sinister rabbit, Mr. B, arrives, followed by a doll named Clara who proclaims herself queen, the equilibrium of the group is threatened, but Teddy and friends quickly bring the outsiders into the fold. It’s an affirming celebration of friendship, kindness, and embracing new experiences and relationships. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7–10. Author’s agent: Merrilee Heifetz, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management.
September 15, 2016
A group of toys lives together on an island, ironing out their differences and sharing small adventures.At the center is Teddy, a thoughtful bear who is somewhat the worse for wear (he lacks legs). He's cared for by Umpah, an elephant who loves to bake. Their neighbors include Zia and Prinny, an apparently unrelated pair of pigs who nevertheless enjoy a warm mother-daughter relationship, Sid, an always-hungry but not-the-least-bit-threatening snake, and Peng, a standoffish wooden penguin. Newcomers who shake things up a bit are Mr. B., a stuffed rabbit who thinks of himself as "sleek and selfish and sharp" despite his cuddly appearance, and Clara, a grandly dressed, large white doll whose imperious demands create consternation. Together they explore their environment, master some useful skills, figure out how to live democratically, and eat a lot of muffins. Occasionally old-fashioned language ("Oh dear, oh dearie me" is Zia's repeated refrain), a leisurely pace, and limited action suggest that this may be most successful as a read-aloud. The illustrations (most not seen) will likely help connect readers to the characters. Although the tone is decidedly different from her earlier work, Voigt's writing remains masterful, and her attention continues to be on what makes a family, how we can live together in harmony, and how individuals overcome their difficulties. (Fantasy. 7-10)
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October 1, 2016
Gr 1-3-Newbery Medalist Voigt's new title follows the legless stuffed toy Teddy and his friends through a series of small adventures. Teddy wants to explore more of the world in which they live, circling around what proves to be an island. Characters include an elephant who likes to bake muffins, a penguin, a pair of pigs, a snake, a grumpy bunny, and a demanding princess. Never deterred by curious or unfortunate circumstances, such as a rainstorm or the arrival of strangers, Teddy has a thirst for discovery and lives a joyous life surrounded by friends. This work has a classic sensibility, reminiscent of Winnie-the-Pooh, minus the human character Christopher Robin. This lends the toy animal characters a bit more autonomy and allows Teddy's spirit and determination to shine through. The secondary characters are amusing, such as Sid the snake, who never stops eating. Readers looking for fast-paced adventure or high drama will not find it here; this is a slow and gentle tale. VERDICT A simple, easily digestible story in parts, this is a great option for one-on-one bedtime read-alouds.-Kaitlin Malixi, formerly at Virginia Beach Public Library
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2017
Six toy animals share an island: Umpah, a kind elephant; Sid, a greedy snake; pigs Prinny and Zia, silly and careful respectively; Peng, a grumpy penguin; and Teddy, a bear, a more nuanced character who is a philosopher and a dreamer. They go on small adventures and solve the problems of community life. The island gets a shake-up when newcomers arrive: first Mr. B, a rabbit; and then Clara, an elegant and imperious doll. The tone here is cozy and old-fashioned (with muffins, and picnics, and Zia's constant refrain of "oh dear, oh dearie me"), but there's a level of anxiety under it all. Who are we really? Of Mr. B: "He knew he looked floppy and silly and cuddlyInside, however, Mr. B knew he wasn't like that at all. Inside, he was sleek and selfish and silver sharp, like a knife." The pace parallels imaginative play, with predictable rituals punctuated by moments of intensity and exuberance. The language and conflicts are firmly child-centered, but there's a hint of satire as the islanders invent participatory democracy in response to power-hungry Clara; the tone doesn't entirely work, as in several episodes the benign and the ominous work against each other. Sophisticated black-and-white illustrations play to both the toys' cuteness and their not-always-sunny outlooks. sarah ellis
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