I'm Not Trick-or-Treating

November 23, 2015
A chick named Peep can’t wait for her sibling to hatch, but Egg has plenty of reasons to stay in his shell. Peep tries to tempt Egg with visions of everything they’ll do together, but splashing in puddles is “too wet,” and playing hide and seek with the pigs and sheep is “too loud.” Peep tries to stay upbeat, but when she puts her wings on her hips and scowls, readers will know that she isn’t going to beg forever. “Okay, I guess you’re not ready.... See ya later,” Peep tells Egg, who promptly realizes he had better hatch after all. Gehl’s (Hare and Tortoise Race Across Israel) just-enough text delivers a spot-on channeling of a coaxing parent and oppositional child, while Wan (The Whale in My Swimming Pool) blends expressive emoji-like characters (even unhatched, Egg has a vividly cranky personality) with ingeniously geometric settings. A scene in which Peep and Egg imagine watching a sunrise together is a marvelous array of shapes and lines. Ages 2–6. Author’s agent: Erzsi Deàk, Hen & Ink Literary Studio. Illustrator’s agent: Teresa Kietlinski, Prospect Agency.

Peep and Egg are back, and this time big sibling Peep is trying to convince Egg to go trick-or-treating.The younger sib is having none of it. Peep tries to walk Egg through the stops they will make trick-or-treating, but each costume seen gives Egg the shivers, and the little yellow chick's various poses and facial expressions eloquently speak of both stubbornness and fear: wings crossed, eyes wide with eyebrows raised, wings over the ears (do chicks have ears?), and eyes shut tight. But Peep doesn't give up easily. The older chick tries jokes to loosen up Egg, but they are not enough to convince Egg to go trick-or-treating. But when Peep finally gives up and walks away, Egg is left in the dark, spooky eyes all around, and that's enough to change Egg's mind. Peep graciously welcomes Egg, and the two make the rounds together, as a butterfly and a caterpillar. Wan's seemingly digital illustrations use bold black lines filled with color and only a few added details to keep the focus on the characters, who are pleasantly rounded and easily recognizable farm animals with simple line-and-oval facial features that show remarkable range of emotion. While Egg seems none the worse for it, it's too bad Peep's solution involved abandoning Egg. Goes down easily for those youngsters who are similarly frightened, and Peep's corny jokes should be added to every repertoire. (Picture book. 2-6) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2016

PreS-This cute, not scary Halloween story opens with Peep the chick, who is dressed as a butterfly and wants to go trick-or-treating. But Egg, also a chick, is scared and hiding behind a hay bale. Peep tries to persuade Egg to come along. Text and illustrations work well together in this lighthearted adventure. Illustrations set a happy, playful tone and are bright, colorful, and friendly. For example, Peep explains that the first place to go trick-or-treating would be the pond. The illustrations show eight ducklings wearing simple costumes. They look like adorable little yellow penguins with red bow ties paddling around in the pond. But Egg says, "Vampires." Next would be the cows, who are wearing black-and-white costumes. But these welcoming cows look like mummies to Egg. Peep finally goes trick-or-treating without his friend. But when it gets dark, Egg changes his mind and runs after Peep, trying to catch up. Egg puts on a caterpillar costume and ends up having fun after all. The tale ends with the friends munching on Halloween candy in the pumpkin patch. VERDICT The large illustrations and simple text make this a solid choice for a preschool storytime on Halloween.-Robin Sofge, Alexandria Library, VA

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