You're Doing THAT in the Talent Show?!

March 15, 2016
Exuberant Penelope and shy and retiring Tiny, the most oddball of friends, are back, this time trying to decide what they can do together in the school talent show. Fittingly, the book opens with Penelope letting out a loud "YIPPEE" in her excitement over the news and Tiny shushing her: "You're making a scene." Though Tiny has learned his lesson to let Penelope be her own hippo, the uptight mouse is still not comfortable being a part of what he sees as her extravagant ideas for a best-friends talent-show act: dance (ballet? Hula? Hip-hop?), a skit ("Rapunzel"? "Jack and the Beanstalk"? "Little Red Riding Hood"?), a circus act (trapeze? Clowns? Lion tamer?). But his idea--the chorus--just isn't spectacular enough for Penelope. In the end, Tiny suggests that the two be in the show, just in different acts, and they can clap for each other. And when Penelope's "ballet-Rapunzel-trapeze act" goes awry, her best friend is there to rescue her as if it were part of the act all along. Cornelison's illustrations play up the size difference between the two friends as well as Tiny's reticence versus Penelope's over-the-top verve. Tiny's thought bubbles are hysterical as he imagines lifting the hippo in a pas de deux or having her try to be the center of attention in the chorus. Best friends don't have to do everything together, but they are there for one another, and Tiny and Penelope exemplify that. (Picture book. 4-8)

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January 1, 2016

K-Gr 2-Exuberant Penelope, a hippo, and her reserved mouse friend, Tiny, are back, and this time Tiny is trying to tone down Penelope's plans for the school talent show. His distressed expressions speak volumes as readers see, via thought bubbles, how he envisions himself serving as Penelope's ballet partner and being squashed behind her in the school chorus. Undaunted, Penelope exclaims, "Oh, yes, yes!" while trying out various dances and donning fairy tale costumes. Tiny, however, responds, "Oh, no, no!," certain he doesn't want to be entangled in Rapunzel's hair, become a pint-sized Jack facing a Giant Penelope, or be a Riding Hood menaced by Penelope Wolf. He nixes all her circus act suggestions, too, and finally determines that although it would be fun to perform together, they should each do their own thing. Tiny will sing in the chorus and Penelope prepares her "ballet-Rapunzel-trapeze act." A four-spread gate fold depicts Tiny disentangling her wig in a daring aerial rescue. Cornelison's brightly colored cartoon illustrations capture the different personalities of the two friends right from the opening spread. Penelope, dressed in a top studded with stars and polka dots, a flouncy skirt, and striped pants, stands arms outspread, her wide open mouth exclaiming, "YIPPEE!" Tiny, in a plain yellow shirt and blue pants, stands with his finger to his lips as he tries to quiet her. Youngsters will enjoy chiming in on the repeated phrases and giggle at Penelope's over-the-top costumes. The addendum "Tips for a Spectacular Performance" is a helpful bonus. VERDICT A showstopper.-Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Greenwich, CT

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