I read this to Julianna yesterday. She helped me with words she recognized. She gives this book 5 stars. Its a Elephant Like Reading book so it has some Elephant & Piggie in it and it has new characters who were working in making a sign for their new club.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Adorable emergent reader book. This series is a must for any kindergarten first grade classroom library. In this episode, a seasoned reader can read the hard words, and the beginner can read the obvious -at words. I could not find the pigeon. All of the characters seemed to be a little pigeony.
This is my first title read in the Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series. This one is written by the Pumphrey brothers recent new authors and illustrators to children’s literature. This title actually shows a child how to make words by attaching different letters to the same sound, a good way th to ultimately decode basic words. Also a rather lost skill of folding hats from paper is a theme throughout the title. It helped my enjoyment of the title to have read the authors personal information at the back of the title to realize why there were four characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion for this fun Elephant and Piggie Like Reading beginning reader.
This is a cute story of animal characters creating a club to collaborate and celebrate their friendship. It's a title that will automatically draw in my Elephant and Piggie fans. I have a feeling I will have kids wanting to create clubs and make paper hats after reading this one. Can't wait to share this one with my students when it publishes in May.
7/13/2022 Mo Willems is a staple in our household, so when I (belatedly) discovered that he had an imprint called Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! I knew I had to check it out. More importantly, I had to check it out with my kids. Jms grew up on Knuffle Bunny, while Joseph had always seemed more partial to Elephant and Piggie (tho that latter might have been because he wanted to read more about trumpet players like Jms, who took the instrument up for a year in fourth grade.)
It's A Sign begins and ends with short (and hilarious!) vignettes featuring Elephant and Piggie, with a cameo from Pigeon at the end. The book itself is about four friends who decide to start a club but run into various sorts of trouble naming it. Each of the friends has a strength, however, that they can all combine to this purpose. Perhaps they can even... find a sign as to what they ought to do next?
I read this first with Jms, and he and I fell about with laughter at the lighthearted antics depicted here, even if Jms did precede his appreciation with a "Dad jokes!" proclamation. To which I said, "Excuse me, Mom jokes, too!" Joseph was insistent on reading the book himself out loud, but I had to read the book to Theo in order to engage him with it. Not the fault of this very entertaining book, which even Theo admitted was "okay good" when I asked him whether the story was okay or good. He's a fairly reluctant reader to begin with, alas.
But Jms, Joseph and I really enjoyed it. The jokes were funny for all of us, with adorable, tho fairly minimalist, illustrations perfectly underscoring the script and emotions. The sixty or so pages are also a perfect length for young readers, and the E&P bookends are a terrific way to get Willems' fans into something new. As a grown-up (who is, coincidentally, baby stepping her way through learning a foreign language,) I really appreciated the sneaky way in which beginner-to-intermediate language skills were introduced, as well as the brief, humorous biography of the Pumphrey brothers who wrote and illustrated this.
This is a terrific picture book for advancing readers wanting a quick, lighthearted read that rewards revisiting. I read it once with each kid and was tickled every single time. I'm so very glad I was able to pick this up at ALAAC2022.
It's A Sign by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey was published May 10 2022 by Hyperion Books for Children and is available from all good booksellers, including
Fans of Mo Willems will love this book, it is even endorsed by Elephant and Piggie! Similar to Willems books, this book has short sentences, simple speech bubbles and a funny and interesting premise. The animals decide to create a club, and with the introduction of each new character the idea for the club evolves until it has to do with paper, letters, words and signs! Additionally, there are lots of -at words which will help young readers decode and reinforce the cvc patterns their teachers are teaching them in a book that is more interesting than the typical “the cat sat on the mat” leveled or decodable books.
I can definitely see this book being a hit in early years classrooms from pre-k to about grade 3. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! I look forward to purchasing a copy for my grade 3 classroom library!
It’s a Sign is the latest edition of the Elephant and Piggie book series. This book focuses on four adorable animals named One, Two, Kat, and Four. The story begins with Two creating a sign for the new club that is being started. One can make letters and writes the word a. Kat can write -at words, and Four can write the word club. In the end they name their club The Paper Folding Letter Writing Word Forming Sign Making Club. Overall I thought the animals were well drawn and the story was cute. As a teacher, I always look for the educational value of books and this does talk about letters and making words from letters. The book seemed to end abruptly and I’m not sure about the reread ability of the book.
I received an electronic ARC from Disney Publishing Worldwide through NetGalley. Pumphrey brings fun and energy to this early reader in the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series. I appreciate the two well known characters wrapping around the story by encouraging reading and then pulling something from the story. Pumphrey introduces readers to four new characters who are forming a club. Each brings a different skill from making folding hats to writing longer words. Readers will easily read the words they write on the signs and be able to read the text for themselves. The final club name will bring laughter as most readers will expect the name to be what is written on the signs the characters hold up. Fun family or class read.
Newly independent readers can get enjoyable reading practice with this simple, irreverent book about four friends who decide to start a book club. They work together using their individual skills to write the perfect sign for their club and come up with a fitting name. While doing this they offer subtle lessons about words, writing, and rhyming. There isn't much of a plot, but as a teaching tool it's pleasant for students.
The illustrations are basic and keep the focus on short blocks of text. Word and phrase repetition offer touchstones for new readers to build confidence while reading on their own. This would be a great addition to elementary classroom and school libraries.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
The latest installment in the Elephant and Piggie Love Reading series will be a sure hit with young readers. This book introduces a new squad of four characters who want to start a new club. They start off with the idea of making folded paper hats. As they collaborate, each animal brings their own skills to the club as they brainstorm ideas for the group and create signs for the club. The text sends the clear message that the talents of everyone in the group are needed and valued. Bold, simple images with uncluttered backgrounds and the color coordination of the animals and their speech bubbles will support early readers in engaging with the text. I’m looking forward to adding this book to my school’s collection and seeing students enjoy reading it!
Cute! One, Two, Kat, and Four are starting a club, and the club needs a sign. Each member has something to contribute to this endeavor, and they work together to get the sign-making down. But the club needs a name! What will the members come up with? This fun story, with simple, colorful illustrations, shows important lessons in working together and appreciating everyone's talents. I enjoyed the interactions of the characters - what supportive friends! - and it's helpful that each character and their speech bubbles are color-coded, making it easy to tell who's speaking. While there's not a lot of action, I think the idea of starting a club will intrigue little ones.
I'm always excited for a new Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! book and this one did not disappoint. I am so impressed by how the authors can put together a fun story that kids want to read with easy to read words. Without giving away the ending, I loved the way the authors played with the words and the illustrations to add humor. I know my students will get the joke.
I also love to see the Mo Willems characters at the start and end of the story. Especially pigeon in this book.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Hooray! Another entry in the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series! And it is delightful. One can make hats and wants to form a club but they cannot write to make a sign for the club. Along comes Two to offer help - they can write their letters! The reader will assume the next friend will be Three but - no. I really liked the unpredictability of this short book! And the fact that each friend was valued and had something to offer to the club. And that everyone was welcome. I would be sure to have plenty of paper on hand for hat-making and also sign making after reading this one! What kind of club would YOU create? Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC!
The latest installation in the "Elephant and Piggie Like Reading!" spin-off series doesn't disappoint. As One, Two, Kat, and Four brainstorm a name for their club, laugh-out-loud moments ensue. Audiences of all ages are sure to enjoy reading or listening to the story. This book also lends itself to several follow-up activities, including creating simple hats from paper, brainstorming word families, and more.
Publication Date: 2022 Format: Picture book (part of the "Elephant and Piggie Like Reading!" collection) Elements: Book-within-a-book; humor Connection/Topics: Friendships/clubs; writing/reading; hats/paper folding; word families; sequencing
One and Two are forming a club. They have a sign, but need to figure out what to put on the sign. Their writing skills are a bit limited. But with the help of Kat and Four, who can write a bit more, can they figure out their signage and their club name?
A picture book exploration of how letters make words and how words can link to form messages, but done in a very fun way. I love the comedic twist at the end. And watch out, because Pigeon is hanging out with Elephant and Piggie in the closing for I think the first time in an Elephant and Piggie Like Reading book (Pigeon usually is just hiding in the background).
One, Two, Kat and Four are forming a club and they each have their own talents to add to the group. The text is simple and funny with word bubble colors that match the character's fur who's speaking. The foam-stamped illustrations are simple, yet eye-catching, and I think young readers will love this! The ending felt a little bit abrupt and I agree with the Kirkus review that the final joke may go over some readers heads. This is a delight though, a great addition to the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series!
This book builds up confidence for young readers, and the illustrations are fun and expressive. The story is about four characters discovering and making signs, and forming a club for this. This story encouraged teamwork and growing skills to work together as well as being creative. Though the story’s text is short, it encourages students to express themselves and to share their creativity with others.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this adorable book! In a fun, child-friendly way, this delightful book explores letter writing, word writing, and wordplay. Can’t wait to share this newest addition to the Elephant and Piggie book series with my kindergarteners as soon as it gets published!
This delightful easy reader tells the story of four friends who form a club but have trouble naming it despite what appears to be an obvious sign of what it should be called. I find this book very fun. The fact that it features Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie makes it even better. A wonderful easy reader overall.
This "Elephant and Piggie Like Reading" book does a decent job of imitating the text style of the Elephant and Piggie books. Four foxes named One, Two, Kat and Four, decide to make a club and put up a sign. They all have a kindergarten level of writing, so the suggestions for the sign are pretty simple.
A friendly group of animals, each with their own talent, wants to make a sign. As they come together, they decide to form a club but what will they name it? Mo Willem's colourful characters and Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey's prose will keep adults and children giggling. Plus - Elephant and Piggie highly recommend this book!
Well, this is cute. The illustrations are colorful; the story is fun, and there are a few unexpected twists. It's a great addition to the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
This is the kind of book I wish I was cleaver enough to write. One that covers numbers, letters, rhyming, repetition and fun without being overbearing. The only thing really missing was colors, and the book is very colorful.
Adorable as usual for the “Elephant and Piggie Like Reading” series. Fun joke at the end. Gotta love Pigeon’s face as he concentrates on making his sign in the cameo appearance, and the authors’ thank you to Mo!
Four friends come together and bring something to their newly created long-winded-titled club. Not my favorite from the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading spin-off series, but kids will enjoy the all-dialog book. The pictures are my favorite part. I love the stamp style.
Parents are gonna LOVE reading this book with their preschoolers & emerging readers are gonna laugh out loud!!! Everything Mo Willems does is pure book gold 💛 And the Pumphrey Brothers are quickly becoming 'must read' authors in their own right!!!
A really cute book about working together with someone who has different skills than you have. I love the illustrations. I love how Kat gets a name and then they skip from two to four with names 😄 I enjoyed the wacky unexpected club name at the end!
3.5 stars A paper hat folding club needs a sign that announces it but the club founder can't write and the next newest member can only write small words. How will they make a sign to let everyone know about the club?