cute new book ... ( )

Following up on her 2014 picture-book debut, Henny, about the travails of a chicken with arms, rather than wings, former architect and children's artist and author Elizabeth Rose Stanton here presents the endearing tale of a little pig named Peddles. Peddles was a pig who marched (or danced, as the case may be) to the beat of a different drummer. He "had ideas - big ideas," and wasn't afraid to pursue them, even if this sometimes earned him a little ridicule from his peers. After seeing a human barn dance, Peddles decides that he too would like to dance - after all, if a cat could fiddle and a cow could jump over the moon, why couldn't a pig dance? Although unsuccessful in his first attempts, which all involve trying on some unusual footwear (for a pig), Peddles eventually finds a pair of red cowboy boots that provide just the right inspiration. He even manages to win over his fellow pigs, and the book concludes with a joyous porcine dance.

As with Henny, I found Peddles quirky and endearing, and thought the artwork was skillfully done and appealing. There are only a few words per page, but they convey both Peddles' personality, and his struggle to make his unusual dreams a reality. Without ever preaching, Stanton demonstrates the value of following one's own beliefs and pursuing one's own interests, even in the face of external hostility or lack of understanding. The illustrations, done in pencil and watercolor, are absolutely adorable, and capture their porcine subject's various moods to perfection. The colors scheme is lovely, utilizing a soft and subtle palette, with just a hint of some golden sparkle, in the inks. As in its predecessor, Stanton's sense of humor is evident here - the page outlining the 'regular' porcine activities that Peddles engages in includes a little portrait of him pooping, something sure to appeal to young fans of such books as The Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business - and prevents her tale from becoming too laden with its edifying message. I enjoyed Peddles just a little bit more than Henny, probably because of the somewhat creepy feeling a hen with arms evoked in me, and look forward to seeing what this talented newcomer to the field of picture-books does next! ( )