May 1, 2015
PreS-K-Fergus and Dink from Pig Kahuna (Bloomsbury, 2011) are back for another beach adventure. This time Fergus must face his shyness and insecurities. What seems like an ordinary day becomes anything but when they spot a very unordinary piglet by the name of Tallulah. She is just as flamboyant and confident as her name might suggest. Wearing beaded red eyeglasses and sporting some garish beachwear topped off with a tutu, Tallulah cuts a dramatic figure compared with Fergus in his plain green Hawaiian shirt. Not only that, but she can make sand angels, whistle like a champ, and even stand on her head. Dink is excited to see her and wants to invite her to play. Fergus is nervous and unsure. "Maybe she wants to be alone," he says. She doesn't. She greets Dink with an hola, bonjour, and ciao, then proceeds to head over in Fergus's direction. Her talents and skills at playing hide-and-seek, standing on her head, and telling jokes make Fergus feel unconfident and left out. Suddenly, an upside-down crab catches Fergus's eye. He's unsure of how to help, but Tallulah cheers him on, shouting, "Fergus will save you!" and tactfully "suggests" that he flip the crab over. With a "three cheers for Fergus," it's evident that the piglets have found a new playmate. The humorous illustrations are rendered in acrylics and colored pencil. The layout is simple and uncluttered and will work well in a storytime setting. VERDICT Fans of Fergus will enjoy this tale with its message of reaching out and making new friends, even when you're shy.-Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 7, 2011
Fergus and his baby brother, Dink, are two piggy beachcombers looking for treasure in this story about overcoming one's fears—even if accidentally. The plot begins with the pigs afraid to venture out into the water. Fergus is convinced "There was a lurking, murky ickiness" out there, which Satler depicts as an array of spiky cartoon creatures—a green fish with vampire fangs, a froggy creature with an antenna and huge teeth, etc. So, instead, the brothers amass a treasure trove on dry land, including seaweed, a "pebble that looked like an eyeball," and best of all, a surfboard that they christen Dave. Sattler's whimsical acrylics and colored pencil illustrations adeptly show Fergus's horror when Dave floats out to sea. As Fergus forgets his fear as he attempts to save their new friend, he inadvertently discovers how to surf. The story meanders a bit as it makes its way to its triumphant finale, but Sattler (Chick 'n' Pug) offers visual gags aplenty and an evocative beachside setting that makes it clear that while the ocean can be scary, it's also pretty tubular. Ages 3–6.