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Poppleton #1
Poppleton
Poppleton the pig makes a friend, reads a library book about adventure, and helps a sick friend get better.;As a child in West Virginia, Cynthia Rylant never dreamed of becoming a writer. In her free time, she devoured Archie comic books and paperback romances and enjoyed the outdoors. But after taking one college English class, she was, "hooked on great writing… I didn't know about this part of me until I went to college-didn't know I loved beautiful stories." And one night, inspired by the Southern writer James Agee, she sat down and wrote When I Was Young in the Mountains. Named a Caldecott Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book, it was an instant success.Since that night, Rylant hasn't stopped creating wonderful books. Her stories explore friendship, love, grief, and other mysteries, and often draw on her memories of growing up in Appalachia. "I get a lot of personal gratification thinking of those people who don't get any attention in the world and making them really valuable in my fiction-making them absolutely shine with their beauty."She lives with her many pets in the Pacific Northwest.Mark Teague is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator whose books include the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling How Do Dinosaurs... series, the LaRue series, FIREHOUSE!, FUNNY FARM, and many other humorous picture books. Mark lives in New York state with his wife and their two daughters.
56 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1997
59 people are currently reading
731 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Rylant
514 books862 followersAn author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.
Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.
from bookrags.com
Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.
from bookrags.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
May 21, 2024
Despite having won the 1993 Newbery Medal for Missing May, Cynthia Rylant may be most famous as queen of the easy reader series, and Poppleton is among her best-known ones. Paired with Mark Teague's sweet, homey illustrations, the three short stories in Poppleton, book one of the series, introduce a cast of characters who became dear friends to generations of young readers.
Once a typical urbanite, Poppleton left city life behind and moved to a quaint house in a little town where he could tend his garden and take naps in his cozy sunroom. Poppleton's neighbor, a llama named Cherry Sue, invites him to her house for three meals a day: oatmeal in the morning, toasted cheese sandwiches at lunch, and spaghetti for supper becomes his routine. Cherry Sue is a fine cook and pleasant company, but Poppleton wishes he didn't feel obligated to have every meal with her. He values spending a certain amount of time alone, but has no desire to disappoint Cherry Sue by declining her invitations. Maybe, though, setting up polite social boundaries can prevent a hurtful eruption of resentment later. Poppleton may discover that Cherry Sue also appreciates having time to herself, and that they will be better friends if they're not under an ironclad commitment to eat every meal together.
No matter how full his schedule, Poppleton sets aside every Monday as library day, when he sits down with a new adventure novel at the local library. He reads for hours, impervious to the outside world, then returns home still wrapped in the languorous haze of his own headspace. It's a blissful feeling, and Poppleton guards the sanctity of library day from encroachment by any other activity. Carving out regular time to interact with art is essential, or we can't operate at full capacity as human beings. Our spirits need the wisdom and emotional nourishment of story to help us respond to the trials and joys of life. Poppleton has a firm grasp on this truth, which is why he allows nothing to deter him from his weekly appointment with adventure.
In the book's final episode, Poppleton prepares a hot bowl of chicken soup and visits his friend Fillmore the goat, who's sick in bed. Fillmore requests Poppleton's help to take his pill: it must be hidden in food—preferably something sweet and chocolatey—or Fillmore can't bring himself to swallow the medicine. Poppleton brings over Cherry Sue's famous Heavenly Cake and tucks the pill into a slice, but Fillmore eats the entire cake except that piece. Being sick seems appealing to Poppleton if you can eat all the cake you want; perhaps he'll join Fillmore in bed. Sometimes the cure for illness isn't medicine; instead, it's forgetting about how crummy you feel because you're enjoying yourself with a friend. Shared laughter and cake can be the best remedy.
The lessons of Poppleton are subtle yet profound, Mark Teague's illustrations fill the soul (I love the two-page endpaper map of the town in all its simple splendor), and there are seven more books in the series to look forward to. Cynthia Rylant's easy readers engage the heart and mind, and I'd rate Poppleton at least two and a half stars, possibly the full three. Until we meet again, Poppleton: good day, my friend.
Once a typical urbanite, Poppleton left city life behind and moved to a quaint house in a little town where he could tend his garden and take naps in his cozy sunroom. Poppleton's neighbor, a llama named Cherry Sue, invites him to her house for three meals a day: oatmeal in the morning, toasted cheese sandwiches at lunch, and spaghetti for supper becomes his routine. Cherry Sue is a fine cook and pleasant company, but Poppleton wishes he didn't feel obligated to have every meal with her. He values spending a certain amount of time alone, but has no desire to disappoint Cherry Sue by declining her invitations. Maybe, though, setting up polite social boundaries can prevent a hurtful eruption of resentment later. Poppleton may discover that Cherry Sue also appreciates having time to herself, and that they will be better friends if they're not under an ironclad commitment to eat every meal together.
No matter how full his schedule, Poppleton sets aside every Monday as library day, when he sits down with a new adventure novel at the local library. He reads for hours, impervious to the outside world, then returns home still wrapped in the languorous haze of his own headspace. It's a blissful feeling, and Poppleton guards the sanctity of library day from encroachment by any other activity. Carving out regular time to interact with art is essential, or we can't operate at full capacity as human beings. Our spirits need the wisdom and emotional nourishment of story to help us respond to the trials and joys of life. Poppleton has a firm grasp on this truth, which is why he allows nothing to deter him from his weekly appointment with adventure.
In the book's final episode, Poppleton prepares a hot bowl of chicken soup and visits his friend Fillmore the goat, who's sick in bed. Fillmore requests Poppleton's help to take his pill: it must be hidden in food—preferably something sweet and chocolatey—or Fillmore can't bring himself to swallow the medicine. Poppleton brings over Cherry Sue's famous Heavenly Cake and tucks the pill into a slice, but Fillmore eats the entire cake except that piece. Being sick seems appealing to Poppleton if you can eat all the cake you want; perhaps he'll join Fillmore in bed. Sometimes the cure for illness isn't medicine; instead, it's forgetting about how crummy you feel because you're enjoying yourself with a friend. Shared laughter and cake can be the best remedy.
The lessons of Poppleton are subtle yet profound, Mark Teague's illustrations fill the soul (I love the two-page endpaper map of the town in all its simple splendor), and there are seven more books in the series to look forward to. Cynthia Rylant's easy readers engage the heart and mind, and I'd rate Poppleton at least two and a half stars, possibly the full three. Until we meet again, Poppleton: good day, my friend.
January 31, 2008
All the Poppleton books are wonderful. There are around 10 in the series. Poppleton is a pig who wears a suit and an English Bowler Hat. He has the goofiest humanized animal friends, Like Cherry Sue the Llama who wears red lipstick! They have the cutest adventures doing dumb things you and your kids will laugh at.
October 29, 2012
My favorite author with one of my favorite illustrators = I love Poppleton. Clever but in a way children get (I don't like it when children's books have jokes only adults can understand; it's much better when there are jokes that BOTH adults and children can understand, or if the jokes are just for the kids).
February 13, 2020
I am Poppleton.
August 21, 2022
Hilarious and outrageous without being crass - win!
April 4, 2018
First sentence: Poppleton used to be a city pig. He did city things. He took taxis. He joggined in the park. He went to museums.
Premise/plot: Poppleton is an early chapter series book by Cynthia Rylant. This is the first book in the series. There are three stories. In the first, readers get a proper introduction to Poppleton. Poppleton is new in town. One of the first friends he makes is his next door neighbor, Cherry Sue. In the second, readers learn a little bit about Poppleton's routine. Monday IS library day. In the third, readers meet another friend of Poppleton, a goat named Fillmore. In this last story, Poppleton has come to take care of his sick friend, but is Fillmore an easy patient?!?!
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one SO MUCH. I loved, loved, LOVED it. I loved the humor. I loved the characters. I loved the writing. I loved the illustrations. I loved it all.
Premise/plot: Poppleton is an early chapter series book by Cynthia Rylant. This is the first book in the series. There are three stories. In the first, readers get a proper introduction to Poppleton. Poppleton is new in town. One of the first friends he makes is his next door neighbor, Cherry Sue. In the second, readers learn a little bit about Poppleton's routine. Monday IS library day. In the third, readers meet another friend of Poppleton, a goat named Fillmore. In this last story, Poppleton has come to take care of his sick friend, but is Fillmore an easy patient?!?!
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one SO MUCH. I loved, loved, LOVED it. I loved the humor. I loved the characters. I loved the writing. I loved the illustrations. I loved it all.
Cherry Sue was very friendly. In the mornings she called out, "Yoo hoo! Poppleton! Would you like some oatmeal?" So Poppleton had oatmeal with Cherry Sue. In the afternoon she called out, "Yoo hoo! Poppleton! Would you like a toasted cheese?" So Poppleton had toasted cheese with Cherry Sue. At night she called out, "Yoo hoo! Poppleton! Would you like spaghetti?" So Poppleton had spaghetti with Cherry Sue. This went on day after day. At first it was fun. But not for long.
Poppleton took library day very seriously. At the library Poppleton always got a table all to himself. He spread out each of his things on the table: his eyeglasses, his tissues, his lip balm, his pocket watch, his book marker, and his duffel.
November 8, 2019
I did not think that I would like a Cynthia Rylant series that wasn't Henry and Mudge. This is a lovely book about an introverted bookworm who is a pig. The second chapter is "The Library." Enough said.
June 9, 2020
This story is charming, the illustrations are delightful, and I look forward to reading more in the series c:
December 14, 2009
1st – 3rd grade
The illustrations are on every page in which look to be done with color pencil. The text is moderately small with about 2-3 sentences per page. Some sentences seem to be repetitive of one another example, “Would you like some oatmeal? So Poppleton had oatmeal with Cherry Sue”. This book is appealing to young readers because it talks about doing new things and changing environments, which most children can identify with, and helping friends in need.
Classroom connection:
Math/Science- Since the book talks a lot of food I think that it would be a great time to do a food project and make cheese toasties or grilled cheese. It would involve math and science skills to do the recipe correctly.
Language Arts- use some of the vocabulary words to discuss meaning and make new and different sentences using the same words.
The illustrations are on every page in which look to be done with color pencil. The text is moderately small with about 2-3 sentences per page. Some sentences seem to be repetitive of one another example, “Would you like some oatmeal? So Poppleton had oatmeal with Cherry Sue”. This book is appealing to young readers because it talks about doing new things and changing environments, which most children can identify with, and helping friends in need.
Classroom connection:
Math/Science- Since the book talks a lot of food I think that it would be a great time to do a food project and make cheese toasties or grilled cheese. It would involve math and science skills to do the recipe correctly.
Language Arts- use some of the vocabulary words to discuss meaning and make new and different sentences using the same words.
March 3, 2020
this book should be required reading it has brought me so much joy in life
July 28, 2025
Great easy read for my 1st grader! He reads this to his sister and giggles, so I'm giving it 5 stars on his behalf. He really seems to enjoy it!
December 2, 2012
Poppleton was an entertaining and exciting children's book. Not only did this story make me smile and laugh, it also kept me interested in what would happen next. Poppleton is a friendly pig that is always occupying his time with a new activity. He loves to read and spend time with some of his close friends such as Cherry Sue. This story teaches children how to handle disagreements with close friends as well as instills the idea that it is very important to always be there for a friend through thick and thin. This book also does a great job of introducing chapter books to young children. It consists of three small chapters that are easy to read and intriguing. Seeing as Poppleton is a pig and his friends are different animals made this book a lighthearted, enjoyable read.
May 2, 2010
Cynthia Rylant has written more than 100 books for children. Her career spans back to 1982 but I only "discovered" her a couple years ago. Sean and I chose Poppleton from the library because it's a collaboration between Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Mark Teague.
Poppleton is a gentleman pig who has moved to a small town to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Over the course of the book Poppleton meets his next door neighbor and settles into his new life. For instance, on Monday's he goes to the library to read a book.
It's a cute chapter book in the vein of the George and Martha or Frog and Toad books.
Poppleton is a gentleman pig who has moved to a small town to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Over the course of the book Poppleton meets his next door neighbor and settles into his new life. For instance, on Monday's he goes to the library to read a book.
It's a cute chapter book in the vein of the George and Martha or Frog and Toad books.
August 19, 2010
The series of "Poppleton" books has made my daughter's summer. My three year old loves the idea of "chapter books", but is not quite ready to move onto listening to books without pictures. The humor that Cynthia Rylant uses is perfect for a 3 or 4 year old, but not so obnoxious that an adult can't get through the book. There are a bunch of Poppleton books, so we could check out a stack from the library, but they are short enough that you can read several before bedtime. I have been reading them out loud to my daughter, because she can't read yet, but they are also the perfect book for a beginning reader too.
December 6, 2014
The Poppleton books are charming and I never mind reading them again. They are gentle and humorous and I love Poppleton's neighbor, Cherry Sue, who is a very smart and loyal llama. My son enjoys the humor and the illustrations. The end papers show a birds-eye view of the neighborhood with the characters going about whatever business is in the stories of that volume and my son really loves figuring out what each is doing and how it relates to the stories. It was his first engaging experience of what a map is and how it works.
Update: Logan read this aloud 11/14
Update: Logan read this aloud 11/14
March 22, 2016
This is a great young-reader book, but it is also a perfect fit (at least when Poppleton forgoes invitations for tea and a parade to go to the library) for introverts of all ages. It's witty in a way the kids will get, which for me is a huge plus! (Also read in October 2012)
April 24, 2018
a cute book with stories involving three different friends. I like how it covers things like how friends don't always want to spend time together and how they can be a bad influence and get you to eat 27 cakes.
January 25, 2013
I liked this book because it was funny at the end and it was about a pig. I hope to read more books in this series.
January 11, 2021
Poppleton is definitely a crowd pleaser! Beloved of all three of us.
March 18, 2019
Age Level: This book is appropriate for grades k-2. It is still pretty easy for kindergartners while also being the start of transitioning into longer chapter books for older 2nd graders.
Summary: This book has three chapters, Neighbors, The Library, and The Pill. Each chapter has a different story about the same characters. In the first chapter it is about Poppleton and his neighbor Cherry sue and how they became best friends, the second chapter is about how Mondays are library days and explains how his day goes while he is at the library, etc.
Review: The pictures are not as supportive as a picture book, but they are still fun and engaging. For example there is one page where the picture makes you laugh before you read it to know what is happening. This makes it fun and interesting for children who are used to reading picture books.
Summary: This book has three chapters, Neighbors, The Library, and The Pill. Each chapter has a different story about the same characters. In the first chapter it is about Poppleton and his neighbor Cherry sue and how they became best friends, the second chapter is about how Mondays are library days and explains how his day goes while he is at the library, etc.
Review: The pictures are not as supportive as a picture book, but they are still fun and engaging. For example there is one page where the picture makes you laugh before you read it to know what is happening. This makes it fun and interesting for children who are used to reading picture books.
April 20, 2019
Poppleton is a story about a big who moved from the big city to a small town. He is ready to relax and experience the slower lifestyle. But soon after he moves in, a neighbor invites him over. At first, her kind gestures are appreciated. Then, as they continue day after day, Poppleton becomes overwhelmed and explodes. Turns out the kind hearted neighbor was also overwhelmed, they just didn't communicate their desires well.
I thought this was a cute book that had a positive message. I think it would be a good read because it portrays the miscommunications that happen in real life and demonstrates a way to work through them.
Age Appropriateness - This book is for early readers that are growing confident in their ability to read longer amounts of text. I would recommend to kindergarteners and 1st graders. (k-2)
I thought this was a cute book that had a positive message. I think it would be a good read because it portrays the miscommunications that happen in real life and demonstrates a way to work through them.
Age Appropriateness - This book is for early readers that are growing confident in their ability to read longer amounts of text. I would recommend to kindergarteners and 1st graders. (k-2)
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February 28, 2020Poppleton is a story about a big who moved from the big city to a small town. He is ready to relax and experience the slower lifestyle. But soon after he moves in, a neighbor invites him over. At first, her kind gestures are appreciated. Then, as they continue day after day, Poppleton becomes overwhelmed and explodes. Turns out the kind hearted neighbor was also overwhelmed, they just didn't communicate their desires well.
I thought this was a cute book that had a positive message. I think it would be a good read because it portrays the miscommunications that happen in real life and demonstrates a way to work through them.
Age Appropriateness - This book is for early readers that are growing confident in their ability to read longer amounts of text. I would recommend to kindergarteners and 1st graders. (k-2)
I thought this was a cute book that had a positive message. I think it would be a good read because it portrays the miscommunications that happen in real life and demonstrates a way to work through them.
Age Appropriateness - This book is for early readers that are growing confident in their ability to read longer amounts of text. I would recommend to kindergarteners and 1st graders. (k-2)
March 18, 2019
Poppleton was about a pig who got tired of the city and moved out to a small town, but right away his new neighbor who seemed nice got overwhelming by constantly asking him to come over for every meal. He explodes and sprays her with the hose because he is so annoyed and tellers he how he feels, and surprising to him she felt the same way about him constantly coming over but didn't know how to tell him.
This is an early chapter book that is very entertaining and a constant scene change but this first one in the series can teach kids to express their feelings to one another if they feel mad or upset because they may be feeling the same way.
This book would be for 2nd or 3rd grade readers because although it is simple it is a little longer for the attention span of a first grader.
This is an early chapter book that is very entertaining and a constant scene change but this first one in the series can teach kids to express their feelings to one another if they feel mad or upset because they may be feeling the same way.
This book would be for 2nd or 3rd grade readers because although it is simple it is a little longer for the attention span of a first grader.
June 30, 2020
Perfect for beginning readers ready for a chapter book, this one features three short stories or chapters centering around Poppleton, a pig who has been recently transplanted from the city to a small town. The text contains sly humor and some relatable scenarios as Poppleton meets a neighbor to whom it is hard to say no, settles into a comfortable routine in which he visits the library every day, and leaves it "all dreamy from so much adventure" (p. 32), and helps a friend swallow a pill by hiding it in something sweet. If I were in first grade, I'd adore this book and its colorful illustrations and funny elements. As an adult, all of this still made me smile.
October 26, 2022
"Poppleton", written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Mark Teague, is a series of anthologies about a pig named Poppleton who moves from a big city to a small town. Poppleton meets all kinds of people, such as Cherry Sue and Fillmore. He tires of his neighbors, goes to the library, and even becomes sick through his indecisive friend. The illustrations are calming, replicating the feeling of Poppleton moving into this new small town. They invoke a sense of relaxation, where the stresses of the moment are the only stresses in the world. This is an easy-to-understand book, and because of this, I would recommend its use for Kindergarten through the Second Grade.
March 18, 2019
Poppleton is a great read for eager young reader or struggling older readers. This book is around the age level of 1st or 2nd grade. This book could be used to boost the confidence of readers. It is a chapter book about a pig living in the city. Each chapter is a stand alone story about Poppleton and his adventures in the city. There are themes of friendship and conflict resolution. This book has colored pictures that enhance the story but do not completely carry the story. Poppleton is humorous, which could hook some readers.
March 18, 2019
This book follows the story of Poppleton as he moves out to the countryside and makes new friends. He first meets his neighbor, Cherry Sue, and they hang out everyday. The pair decides it is important to have time to themselves too. He spends a day at the library and helps take care of his friend who is sick. I think this is a great book for 1st-3rd grade. It has illustrations and there are not too many words on each page, making it easy for an early reader. It also tells stories that contain life-lessons about friendship and taking time for yourself.
January 3, 2021
Poppleton books are always great. We love them as a family and htey are quite consistent. The stories in this one are bizarre - in one of them poppleton sprays his new friend with a hose because he doesn't know how to stop accepting her invitations to dinner, then feels bad and sprays himself. In another Poppleton's friend needs him to hide his medicine in slices of cake and they just end up eating a zillion slices of cake. But these are great early readers and I look forward to having my kid read them to me in the future!
March 18, 2019
Poppleton is a great early chapter book for children who are ready for more complex sentences and a wider variety of vocabulary. Each chapter is a different story so children do not need to remember what they read in the previous section to follow the story. Larger fonts and not an intimidating number of words on each page but a great introduction to chapter books. Would use for children ages 6-8 depending on reading level.
March 18, 2019
This book is for primary grades. It is about a pig who moves from the big city to a smaller town. He becomes friends with his neighbor. He spends every Monday in the library. Poppleton also takes care of his sick friend. I would use this as a free choice book in my classroom. Something that is beneficial about this book is that Poppleton loves going to the library. This supports students in also loving reading since the character they are reading about loves it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews