Where Is Home, Little Pip?

Written by: Karma Wilson

Illustrated by: Jane Chapman

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 23 Sept 2008

Ages:   3 – 8 years

Theme:  Family, adventure, home.

Opening Lines: Pip was hatched in a nest made of pebbles on the cold Antarctic shore. She was as fluffy as new – fallen snow – and small even for a baby penguin.

Synopsis: From the jacket flap:   Little Pip knows that she is supposed to stay close to home, but really – what’s a baby penguin to do except give chase when a beautiful, glittery feather flutters by? And so Pip suddenly finds herself nowhere near her pebbly nest, nowhere near any penguins as far as the eye can see, and worst of all, nowhere near Mama and Papa. Where is home?

Why I like this: Right from the cover picture this book oozed cuteness. I was surprised at how cleverly Karma incorporated prose and rhyme and using the rule of three. She has our little lost penguin asking various critters she meets in her search where home is. Each animal tell where their home is, but not Pip’s home. Children will love Pip’s childish antics and in a tongue-in-cheek way will also learn that listening to parents, and obeying them can save a lot of heartache. I loved the overall theme of ‘Love is where the Heart is’ … mmm, they could have easily given that as its title, but then it would give the ending away. A lovely tribute is made inside the front page to someone we all know and love in the writing world, Emma Dryden.  Karma is known for her Bear books such as Bear Snores On, and lives in Montana.     Jane Chapman’s full page illustrations are gorgeous. She has been teamed with Karma on a number of books together. See the link below of Jane’s interview on Joanna’s website- Miss Marple’s Musings.

Resources/Findings: Here is a lovely teaching guide for the book Karma has provided… http://www.teachingoasis.com/Little%20Pip.pdf

Wonderful website of Karma’s with interesting titbits and insights….   http://www.karmawilson.com/books/pip/where.htm

Catch a wonderful interview with Jane Chapman on Joanna’s website …. http://joannamarple.com/2012/09/4341/

I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view.  So pop over  and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.    Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.