Adam Pig's Everything Fun Book

A treasury of stories and entertaining hands-on activities follows the days of Adam Pig as he shops with Mom, helps Grandma in the garden, and works on such easy-to-follow activities as building a cardboard car and making a sock puppet. Children's BOMC.

PreSchool-Grade 2?This colorful book is packed with a variety of stories, art projects, and learning games. Unfortunately, most of them are pretty boring. Children might enjoy doing some of the suggested activities and discussing their responses to the questions posed (e.g., "What do you like to eat?" accompanies a colorful display of Adam Pig's favorite foods), but overall, the tales are just not very entertaining. Adam Pig takes a bath, goes to the park, goes to the grocery store?all reassuring and familiar activities for young children?but nothing to get excited about. The watercolor illustrations of the young porker, his family, his playthings, and his activities are the best part of this Richard Scarry-like compilation.?Jan Shepherd Ross, Dixie Elementary Magnet School, Lexington, KY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The good-natured, incessantly smiling Adam Pig is the focal point of this oversized volume, an amiable if somewhat insipid hodgepodge of vignettes, illustrated word lists and how-to projects. Preschoolers can follow this busy piglet on outings to the grocery store, where he fills his mother's cart with items not on her shopping list; to the park, where he misplaces his scarf; and to the doctor's office, where he learns he has chicken pox. Young provides cursory instructions for a handful of such familiar activities as building a car from a cardboard box, creating prints from cut sponges and potatoes, and making puppets out of socks. Labeled pictures of such items as Adam's favorite toys and foods will hold most appeal to those on the younger end of the targeted age span. The book's greatest asset is Young's perky, whimsically cluttered art, which ably spells out the action for pre-readers. However, its format and subject matter unavoidably call to mind the oeuvre of Richard Scarry, but lack the understated, wry humor and visual shenanigans of that author's works. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Winsome illustrations of Adam Pig and his extended family will make devoted fans of this amusing work. The subject is the immediate world of toddlers, playfully represented by Adam's own home, clothes, and favorite foods. Each oversized spread (or sometimes two spreads) acts as a chapter; each chapter offers a game, project, or brief story about Adam Pig's play group, baby sister, birthday party, or chicken pox, all rendered with a light, reassuring touch. The projects--growing a bean, making a sock puppet, building a cardboard car--encourage children to work along with Adam Pig; in fact, participation is invited throughout with questions such as ``Can you find Adam Pig?'' and ``What are your favorite toys?'' that are sure to spark happy responses. Young is right on target with her choice of topics for this audience; the book lives up to its title by providing fun for every child's every mood. (Picture book. 2-5) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 3^-6. Short stories, simple projects, and illustrated word lists are the featured attractions in an appealing collection for preschoolers starring Adam Pig. Children may recognize themselves and their families as Adam celebrates his fourth birthday, learns to share his train set, and helps Mom care for his baby sister. The arrangement is logical and cohesive. For instance, a warm story about Adam planting a garden with Grandpa is followed by easy directions for growing a bean plant in a jar. Using an oversize format and lots of white space, Young integrates sprightly wash-and-line drawings with the crisp typeface. Well done. Julie Corsaro