I Love My New Toy!

The Sunday Age

Sunday October 19, 2008

Frances Atkinson

I LOVE MY NEW TOY!

Mo Williams

Walker Books, $9.95

Gerald and Piggie are the Odd Couple of the animal world. Gerald is thoughtful, a thinker, comfortable with boundaries - an elephant with a big heart. Piggie wears his heart on his sleeve: every emotion is worth feeling whether it be joy, sadness or indignation. But when it comes to friendship, nothing gets between these two - nothing except a silly little toy that Piggie adores. Using the bare minimum of text, Mo Williams skilfully reveals a scenario between the two friends that has been played out since the dawn of time: sharing and forgiveness. When Gerald accidentally breaks Piggie's toy, much trotter-stamping ensues. It takes a clever third party to reveal the obvious, and mend both toy and friendship. Great book for early readers looking for a funny story with a message.

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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