For my 3rd book review, I wrote about some beloved characters!

Book Review #3, Listen to my Trumpet!

1.       Bibliography: Willems, Mo. Listen to my Trumpet. Hyperion Books for Children, 2012. ISBN 978142315404.

2.       Plot Summary: This fun spirited book features fan favorite characters, Elephant and Piggie, in a new adventure. Piggie just got a trumpet, and is eager to show Gerald the Elephant what she has learned with it. While Piggie gleefully plays her sounds, Gerald tries hard to find compliments for her, as what she’s playing is not close to music. Once again, the two friends give a lesson in friendship that is also highly amusing for young children. A clever ending twist shows readers that Piggie was never trying to make music in the first place, only trying to speak elephant sounds so that she can communicate with her best friend.

3.       Critical Analysis: Elephant and Piggie are wonderful characters for young children to learn from. The simple line drawings showcase facial expressions, along with comic book style word bubbles. These features make it easy to identify the characters’ feelings, as well as emphasis on important language. The banter between both characters are great for read alouds as well. This book features lots of fun noise words, such as “drump”, “glack”, and “grick”. These words will be fun for children to hear and to repeat out loud, which can help develop their language skills. The plot itself is a great lesson for friendship. Often in life, we want to support our friends in their efforts, but how can we do that if we don’t think the friend is talented in the skill? The theme of friendship is strong here, as Gerald works on teaching Piggie elephant sounds in a helpful way.

4.       Review Excerpts:

·         From Booklist, Daniel Kraus, “This may be one of the lesser entries in the series, but the bar is so high that this remains irrepressibly fun.”

·         From School Library Journal, Kara Schaff Dean, “This winning pair continues to delight and charm readers with a wisdom that seems hard won by adults, but is second nature to children.”

5.       Connections: Display with other Mo Willems Books for an author study or celebration.

·         The Pigeon has to go to School, ISBN 9781368046459

·         Don’t let the Pigeon Stay up Late, ISBN 9780786837465

·         Can I Play too, ISBN 9781423119913

·         There is a Bird on your Head, ISBN 9781423106869

Invite children to make elephant and other animal sounds after story time.

Bring in different musical instruments for children to learn about during story time.

Create a unit with other friendship books, such as:

·         Ferry, Beth. Stick and Stone, ISBN: 9780544032569

·         Dyckman, Ame. Horrible Bear, ISBN: 9780316282833

·         Henkes, Kevin. Chester’s Way, ISBN: 9780688154721

·         Pfister, Marcus. The Rainbow Fish, ISBN: 9781558580091

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