Edward Gets Messy

July 18, 2016
Pigs have a reputation for being messy, but Edward, a “very particular pig,” is more of a Marie Kondo type: “He detests dirt. He fears filth. He likes things to be just so.” First-time author Meade, a Brooklyn-based librarian, makes it clear early on how Edward’s commitment to tidiness means that he’s living life from the sidelines—sometimes literally, such as when he doesn’t join in a muddy game of baseball at school. When Edward accidentally gets messy while trying to straighten up an art supply shelf (instead of actually painting), he discovers that a little glop and slop might be worth it, if making art, experimenting with science, and having a more social existence are also part of the bargain. Working in colored pencil, debut illustrator Stern makes excellent use of bright colors and hand-drawn sound effects like “slurp” and squish” to create a joyful, dynamic world of leaf piles, puddles of paint, and airborne spaghetti and meatballs at lunch—messy and dirty, yes, but also well worth it. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Brooks Sherman, Bent Agency.

July 15, 2016
If you're afraid to get messy, you might be missing out.As a "very particular pig," Edward--who stands upright and is child-shaped except for his face, ears, and feet--can't bear messiness. He lines up spray-bottle cleaners in a neat row; in the living room, he appears three times on the same page to diligently dust, vacuum, and straighten picture frames. He won't eat spaghetti and meatballs or do art projects at school (and, indeed, spaghetti, meatballs, and paint fly through the air when his classmates get their hands on them). He even "vacuums his perfectly sparkling goldfish tank with a special underwater vacuum." Edward's manic, bug-eyed expression on that page and the capital letters that explain he "FEARS filth" scream that Edward doesn't have a mere preference--he has anxiety. One day, he's straightening a supply shelf when plop, splat, crash--paint goes everywhere. The text calls him "DEVASTATED," but he actually looks just shocked, then nonplussed. Before long, he's painting. Messes don't scare him anymore, and everything from spaghetti fights to exploding science experiments is fair game. Stern's colored-pencil illustrations are bright and friendly, though some grins look exaggerated. This can't approach Patrick McDonnell's A Perfectly Messed-Up Story (2014) for anxiety about mess and chaos or Deborah Freedman's Blue Chicken (2011) for glorious spills, but it's a fine addition. (Picture book. 4-8)

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August 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Edward is a young pig who likes a well-ordered life. While it might be satisfying to be so darn neat, it also poses some challenges. Edward can't pet a dog or eat any food that splatters, and school contains a whole host of horrors, with messy art projects and untidy outdoor activities. One fateful day, an entire shelf of art supplies falls, and Edward is bathed in a glorious and colorful mess. His initial anxiety quickly dissipates as he discovers the intrinsic joy of creating without worrying. Soon he is taking part in exploding science experiments, petting dogs, and slurping a very messy plate of spaghetti. The charming tale ends with Edward taking a bath and looking quite content. The text is matched perfectly by Stern's illustrations, which portray the fastidious lifestyle of Edward with precision and detail and then give way to utter abandon. The wonderful spread depicting a muddy and messy baseball game, with Edward sliding into second base, confirms his transformation. VERDICT This debut title is a delightful tale and a storytime winner. Pair it with Karen Beaumont's I Ain't Gonna Paint No More to help children embrace the messier side of life.-Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI

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