Children's Book Review: Wooby and Peep by Cynthia Liu

Publisher: Sterling Children's Books
Published: February 2013
Age range: from 3 to 7
40 pages
ISBN: 1-4027-9644-7
ISBN13: 9781402796449
$14.95 US; $17.95 Canadian
Hardcover with Jacket, all in color, 8 X 10


Synopsis:

"Opposites attract and become fast friends in this quirky, funny picture book.

Wooby lives in a nice, quiet neighborhood where everyone minds his own business. And he likes it that way. Then noisy, energetic Peep moves next door with her banging and smashing and crashing. She even gives a “wild” PARTY! At first, shy Wooby is beside himself—until he realizes that he and Peep have more in common than he ever imagined. Hilarious comic-book panels throughout add fun and joy to this unique story. "

My Thoughts:

I received this book the other day and couldn't wait to share it with the girls.  The story is about two unlikely friends who find a common interest -- Go Fish!  But, getting to that common ground and idea of friendship took awhile.  You see, Wooby lived in a quiet neighborhood, and was content spending his time taking care of his prized petunias and playing Go Fish with his goldfish.  But, then Peep moved in next door and turned the neighborhood upside down.  Peep threw a housewarming party, but only Wooby showed up.  Then, Peep the days thereafter trying to get Wooby to become friends with her.  But, instead of fixing things, Peep did the opposite -- Wooby's water fountain broke, and his house broke apart.

Now, you wouldn't think that a friendship could come out of this, but when Peep and Wooby talk and realize that they have more in common than they think, and how Peep was only trying to make Wooby like her, a friendship blossomed, and shortly thereafter Peep was throwing another party together, but this time with her best friend, Wooby by her side -- it was a housebuilding party to make things right at Wooby's house. 

What a cute story that even the youngest of children will enjoy having you read to them.  My daughter Savannah kept asking me what the balloon tags on each page read.  This is what kept her engaged, in addition to the cute illustrations with their soft blue and pink hues.  Truly a treat to enjoy with your children, and a great choice to share for Valentine's Day.

About the Author:

Cynthea Liu is author of Paris Pan Takes the Dare (Putnam Juvenile) a middle-grade novel, and The Great Call of China, part of the bestselling S.A.S.S. (Students Across the Seven Seas) series, published by Penguin. Wooby & Peep is her first picture book. A frequent guest author at schools and young adult conferences, Cynthea is also a writing coach and has been a guest speaker for national conferences organized by the American Library Association, American Association of School Librarians, Association for Library Services to Children, and the Young Adult Library Services Association, among others. She lives in Chicago, IL. Visit Cynthea at www.cynthealiu.com. 

About the Illustrator:

Mary Peterson coauthored and illustrated Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch (Charlesbridge Publishing), which was included in the 2010 Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. She is also the illustrator of Ocean Soup and Wiggle and Waggle (both Charlesbridge), a Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year, and recipient of the Early Childhood News Directors Choice Award. Mary lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband. Visit Mary at www.marypeterson.com.


Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.