Trois petits pois

by Marine Rivoal

Deux petits pois tout verts, tout ronds prennent la tangente et font des bonds, roulent et échappent à des êtres bizarres, font des courses poursuites et en réchappent pour s'enfuir et continuer leur histoire sans danger, juste pour tout recommencer.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Adventure, Food, Storytime, Nature, Gardening

34 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2012

Reviews

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two little peas jump down from their pea plant to get some air. They head out on an adventure across the garden. They visit a cat, some snails, and even try out how it feels to be a flower or a different kind of plant. They go high and low, exploring together. But when they reach a frightening part of the garden filled with insects and animals, they try to run away. Then they find a safe place in the warm soil where they hide. Only to become a large pea plant of their own the next spring, and then one little pea jumps free, making it three little peas.

The story here is simple enough for a toddler to enjoy and they will love going on an adventure along with two charming green peas. The peas pop in their green on the page where everything else is black and white. But oh my, what a black and white world it is! Rivoal does her art using etching and the effect is beautifully layered, almost crystalline forms. The illustrations show below ground as well with rocks and other objects hidden there. Even the blades of grass are lovely in the attention to detail and their grace.

Stunningly lovely and unique illustrations elevate this simple picture book to something magnificent. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

[pati · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure about these little peas, but then the story took an exciting turn and it all worked out - easy peasy!

[RH Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork in this book is incredible, and my toddler reading companion instantly tuned into it. The back of the book describes the zinc etching process used to make it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the book follows two peas through a garden of prepostions, until they need to hide from some animals that want to eat them. They hide in a hole in the ground, then sprout and birth the third pea of the title. The illustrations really take the prize on this one - lots of details to examine, half-hidden in the monochromatic black and white that everything except the peas are in.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this book a four star rating because the illustrations are truly remarkable... and when you find out how they were made, they become even more amazing!! Marine Rivoal is extremely talented in her form of artwork, and this book proves it!

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story, recommended for little ones or adults who like art books. Two litte green peas explore an otherwise black and white world. They go up, they go down, etc. Where is the third pea from the title?

[Jj · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the peas was okay, but the notes in the back about the author and her process of creating the illustrations was excellent and appreciated. That information definitely adds to the book.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much too it. A bit like mushy peas, I think.

[Emmaline MacBeath · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, two peas pop out of a pod growing on the pea vine. They travel throughout the garden and see many things. They go here, there, up, under, high, and finally end up nestled underground where they grow new pea vines and the process can begin again.

The illustrations are primarily in black and white with only the green peas being green. The black and white portions were done by creating etchings. There are lots of little pictures hidden along the way making for a fun game of I Spy.

This book is advertized for grades preschool-3, however I think the basic concepts of the story lend themselves better to ages 3-6. It is written in a very simplistic style as I often see from French authors, but powerful nonetheless.

[Michele Knott · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, this book was just ok. I was more fascinated by the information in the back about the art of etching. The illustrations were so intricate, I really focused on them as I read the book. The text was ok, nothing stood out. Young children will like the journey the two peas (the third pea doesn't come in until the last page so why the 'three' in the title?) go on. I could see using this book and giving kindergarten students 2 green stickers and having them write what happens to them next.

[Romelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three Little Peas by author/illustrator Marine Rivoal is a story that comes full circle with two peas on an adventure in the garden. Text is full of prepositions and verbs. What struck me most was the black and white artwork with only the peas illuminated in color. Love the intricate detail of the illustrations. The book consists of a back matter: About the Illustration. This is where I learned that the art was done using an etching technique on a metal (zinc) plate.

I loved the artwork more than the story itself.

3 stars for story
5 stars for illustrations

[Halli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is sweet, and kids will want to find out just where that third little pea is throughout the adventure. However, my five star rating is primarily for the illustrations. This is one of the most visually stunning picture books I've ever read. I love the black and white with pops of bright green. Reading about Rivoal's etching technique at the end made me flip through the book again immediately!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always attracted to books about growing things. I found the illustrations to be very engaging, and the story as well, but I have to agree with other reviewers about the title being misleading, especially since the picture on the cover features 2 little green peas, as does the entire story until the end.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool
Food: Peas
Nature: Seeds growing into plants

A short tale of two adventurous peas exploring their surroundings until predators force them underground where they are cosy snug and grow into two pea plants. This book is extra special with supplementary material on sketching as an art process for preschoolers and grade school children.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two peas escape from their pod and discover the garden they live in. In the end, their adventures lead to the next generation of peas.

A fascinating two page spread shows photos of the artist's workspace and a description of her technique. PreK-2.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this one are wonderful—there is so much to look at and find on each page. It’s even more incredible when you read about the process of etching described at the end used to create it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about two little peas and their adventures before they become pea plants themselves. The color pallet is simple (black and white and green), the words are few and descriptive (under, over, here, there, etc.), and the story is straightforward. Great for readers 3 and under!

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unusual, clever illustrations carry the story, but the text could use a little more detail toward the end. Perhaps it was intended to be quiet as the peas are quiet in the ground. Having two peas make three makes me think of human reproduction rather than the life cycle of a pea!

[Holly Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of two peas escaping their pods to go on an adventure is okay, but the art is stunning. The best part of this book is the "About the Illustrations" in the back. Marine Rivoal shares her etching techniques.

[Jessica Nekuda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is what looks like an old book, but its actually new?! Anyways, I thought oh how cute when i picked it off the shelf at the library, but this: this is the worst thing ive read! what exactly is the story supposed to show?

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally in France in 2012 under the title Trois petits pois. Published in English in the U.S. in 2014. Translated from the French by Claudia Z. Bedrick.

Rivoal's etchings are beautifully complex and the addendum on their creation at the book's end is fascinating.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would be five stars except that the title is misleading. Stunning illustrations, though!!!!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

So visually satisfying!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost eerie illustrations....

[Nativida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful drawings.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two peas go rolling about on an adventure. ..and then there are three. The illustrations were created by etching.

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming picture book!

What I really loved though was the backmatter - Rivoal explains how she created her book with etchings.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the three little peas was mediocre. However, partnered with the illustrations and the information behind the illustrations, it really made the book pop.

[Jen Ferry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple story that will appeal to young kids, with amazing illustrations that have so many hidden objects!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Youngest liked the story and oldest liked the illustration style (etchings). I thought the illustrations were better than the story, but the peas are cute.