Roly Poly Pangolin

by Anna Dewdney

Roly Poly, very small, doesn't like new things at all.

Meet Roly Poly Pangolin--a little pangolin who'd rather stick close to his mama instead of facing anything unfamiliar. Whether it's a line of ants, a friendly monkey, or a loud noise, Roly Poly runs the other way. Then he hears something that really scares him. So he does what all pangolins do when they're frightened--he rolls up into a tiny ball. But Roly Poly is surprised when he finally peeks out, because another ball is peeking back... it's a small pangolin just like him!

Anna Dewdney has created another irresistible character to reassure children about the world around them.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Friendship, Fiction, Nature

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Anna Dewdney was an award-winning children's-book author, illustrator, teacher, mother, and enthusiastic proponent of literacy and reading aloud to children. She was the author of the bestselling Llama Llama Red Pajama series of picturebooks, among many others. She lived with her partner Reed Duncan in Vermont where she worked, gardened, and spent time with her daughters and dogs.

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anna Dewdney stepped away from Llama Llama for a moment to bring us Roly Poly Pangolin, a story about a nervous pangolin who doesn't like new things.

The story is okay, I guess. It's better than Scaredy Squirrel, in any case, when it comes to picture books about being afraid to try anything new. I found it a little repetitive in the beginning, but once the rhyming story really got going, it was a little better. The little bit of scientific information about pangolins at the back will also satisfy readers' curiosity about this strange little mammal; including this was a nice touch.

I think I know why there's only one book about this little pangolin, though. He must've been a nightmare to paint! All of those individual scales... This book must've taken ages for Dewdney to put together.

While it doesn't quite measure up to the Llama Llama books, it's still a decent picture book and young children will probably enjoy the bouncing rhythm and repetition (even if it drives their parents a little nuts).

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roly Poly is a shy Pangolin who “doesn’t like new things at all.” Over the course of the story told in perfect rhyme, the timid Pangolin comes to discover he is “not so frightened, after all.” After rolling into a ball, riding on the tail of his mama, running away and covering his eyes at the sound of a snap, Roly Poly finds a friend and decides that “new things can be fun when you’re not the only one.” The cadence of the rhyme is similar to Dewdney’s Llama Llama books and it works just as well for toddler audiences, who will also respond to the full-page illustrations that make excellent use of facial expressions. By the end of the book they’ll probably be begging to know what a pangolin is, and luckily, Dewdney provides information about the habitat and lifestyle of pangolins in her author’s note.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new book by Dewdney has the same cadence as her Llama Llama books. Roly Poly is a very small, young pangolin who doesn’t like new things. Even friendly faces scare him and have him running away. When he hears frightening noises, he runs, falls and then rolls tightly into a ball. It takes a lot of courage for him to eventually uncurl and see exactly what frightened him so badly. But when he does, he finds that it just might be easier to make friends than keep on fleeing in fear.

This is a simple book perfect for a toddler audience. Dewdney uses rhyme and rhythm as well as repeated phrases throughout the book. Filled with just enough action and strange noises, this book will appeal to children who may be fearful of new things themselves. Dewdney’s illustrations are equally welcoming. There is plenty of humor here in both the text and the illustrations too. The book ends with a paragraph of information on the pangolin.

Get this into the hands of Llama Llama fans and also to those children who enjoy new, strange animals. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

[Alanna (The Flashlight Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attention all Llama Llama Red Pajama fans: There is another adorable Anna Dewdney book for you! Fans of Llama Llama will instantly fall in love with Roly Poly Pangolin. This little Roly Poly reminded me so much of my beloved Llama.


You will notice instantly that Roly Poly Pangolin rhymes much the same was as the Llama Llama stories do. There is a phrase or two that is repeated throughout the book, which makes it a hit for younger readers. Also like the little llama, there is a lesson to be learned here. Roly Poly is scared of new things, which almost cost him the chance to meet a new friend. All young readers can relate to--and learn from-- Roly Poly.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of the Llama Llama Red Pajama books, so I'm not sure how I managed to miss this one, but it's very similar. Adorable illustrations and simple rhyme, and how many kids know what a pangolin is? Very cute, and it would be fun to read to younger elementary kids, then show them a video about pangolins so they can see what a real one looks like.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's so nice to see a popular book by a well-known children's author introducing this unusual and highly endangered animal. Hopefully, the more people know about pangolins, the more they will be motivated to help save them.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute children's book about a young pangolin who gets scared of the outside world but things manage to change for him for the better. I also love pangolins, a reason why I decided to read this book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about trying new things. Simple, full of rhymes, would be fun for reading aloud.

[Lauren Hegedus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protect Roly Poly Pangolin at absolutely all costs. Cute book AND it rhymes.

[Jessalyn Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a winner for me. It introduces a unique animal, has charming rhymes, encourages the reader to try new things and make friends, and the illustrations are very cute. I really like this book and so does my toddler.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roly Poly, a sweet little pangolin, is afraid of trying new things. After rolling into a ball and tumbling down a hill, Roly Poly meets a new friend and discovers that exploring the world is "so much nicer when it's two!" Dewdney's bouncing rhymes are fun and make a great read aloud for the preschool set. The message about trying new things with a friend is one that many shy or timid young listeners will relate to.

It's a bit young for an elementary school collection but totally recommended for younger listeners. Dewdney also includes a short note at the end with some basic information about pangolins and suggestions about where to find information about how to help this endangered animal.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in rhyme, the reader meets Roly Poly, a very small pangolin that is not very adventurous and each sound and specie scares him very much.

One day when he is frightened, Roly Poly stumbles and curls up into a tight ball so he can hide from the world. What was that sound? When Roly Poly has the courage to open his eyes, just a little bit, he sees something looking back at him.

Do you have a shy young one? This book might just be the right icebreaker to let your child know that if you try just a little, there is a whole wide world out there and maybe, just maybe, you will find a new friend.

PANGOLINS are an endangered species that have furry tummies and no teeth. They protect themselves by rolling into tight balls so that they are completely covered by their scales

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roly Poly the Pangolin doesn't like new things. In fact, they frighten him easily. However, once he has a friend, Roly Poly finds that the world is not so scary, after all.

What I thought: What a cute book. The illustrations are wonderful--soft and so realistic. My favorite is of the two pangolins and the monkey dancing. The story is a good one for small children (who can also be timid). The rhyme and rhythm of the words will enchant and engage all listeners. I enjoyed meeting a new animal I'd never heard of. Pangolins sure are cute. The note about them makes me want to know more. Roly Poly reminded me of A. A. Milne's Piglet.

Story Time Themes: Endangered Animals, Friendship

[Shayna Towle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this would be a great book to read on the first day of school. Roly Poly is scared of unfamiliar things and a lot of kids may be scared on the first day of school. The book rhymes which is something I always enjoy because then you read it in somewhat of a sing songy voice which makes the book more fun. Then, in the end, Roly realizes that he has people around him that are just like him and he makes new friends. Kids being in a new environment can be scary but showing that everyone around them is in the same situation can make them feel less alone.

[KidsFiction Teton County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

J PIC DEWDNEY
This book is by one of my favorite childrens' authors. Dewdney tells the story of a shy pangolin, who is afraid of most everything and everyone. The author uses beautiful rhythmic, sing-songy words to tell the story. Parents and children alike will appreciate this book. (Suzy)

This book would be a great gift for a preschooler, or an especially shy child. It would also be a great gift for a preschool teacher, or preschool classroom.

[Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We keep some books at the table to read when my dad is cleaning up from dinner and this is one of them. I got this from the Imagination Library. My parents had no idea what a pangolin was, can you imagine? We had to look it up on the internet to prove it was a real animal. My favorite parts are when Roly runs away and it says GO GO GO and then he stubs his toe and also when Roly finds another pangolin to play with. This isn't a board book, so I don't get to play with it by myself yet.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Llama Llama books, and this book has a lot in common with them. It's maybe not quite a kid friendly since the pangolin doesn't run around wearing pajamas and doing other human things, but it has the added bonus (for me) of being about an endangered species, which is super interesting. It would be great to share with a kid who's interested in animals, since there's info about pangolins in the back.

[Shayla Padilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was the cutest rhyming book about Roly Poly. I really enjoyed the pictures a lot because while reading it showed almost every action and detail that was happening to the book. The rhyming grabbed my attention too. It made me want to continue reading because kept me interested. It was adorable to see how Roly Poly was so afraid of everyone and everything until he met someone just like him. It made him feel more comfortable and confident to do things when his friends was around.

[Sung Baick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute story about Roly Poly has a rhyme scheme throughout the book. It also talks about how Roly Poly is scared of new things. This would be a great book to use for k-2 to talk about trying new things. It also has a repeating sentence throughout the first half of the book. Teachers can use this text to show students another possibility in writing!

[Betty Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains the importance of the friendship. The very small Roly poly does not like new things at all. However, when the small Roly poly met a friend, it all changed. the Roly poly was not frightened at all and found out how much it is fun when he/she is not alone. Therefore, this book can be a nice book to read at the first day of the school from pre-k to 1st grade.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really reminds me of the Llama Llama books--the art work, the rhyming. Same author and illustrator. The story is about a baby pangolin who is cautious and shy, but along the way, you can't help but find out a few interesting details about pangolins. We enjoyed this book and read it a few times.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good story about a small Roly Poly who is afraid of everything in this world. The story continues and flows with the experiences of Roly Poly. The illustrations and colors are cute. A good happy ending. The kids enjoyed the different reactions of Roly Poly during preschool storytime. Great for early preschool age group.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roly Poly, is scared of a lot of things and doesn't like new things.

Why I started this book: Stuck at the circulation desk, I started looking for all the children's books in my TBR pile that are checked in.

Why I finished it: This is a great book for Story Time, especially for the newest members of the crew, all those that follow their military family members around the globe.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids and I adore Anna Dewdney books and Roly Poly Pangolin does not disappoint. A great book about not having fear and the joy of making new friends. A book with a great message and at the same time raises awareness about pangolins. We were not aware of these endangered species until we read this book.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I'm not a fan of Dewdney (though my storytime kids love her and we read Llama Llama on a regular basis - who am I to argue with enthusiastic preschoolers?) but I liked Roly Poly Pangolin very much. I wish she'd been able to do more realistic animal books before she passed away because this is lovely.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story about a shy and easily frightened pangolin who discovers the fun in making friends. Perfect rhyming text for a preK-2 read aloud. The illustrations are sweet, with Roly Poly's eyes communicating as much as the words on each page.
This book can also be a lead-in to a lesson on endangered animals and conservation.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute rhyming book with Roly-poly, the pangolin. The students loved it. I showed them my photos from this summer in Namibia and we talked about its plight in the wild. Man is most dangerous to the pangolin due do collecting of the scales. It is an endangered species. I also had a pillow cover and model of one to show the students.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PIC DEWDNEY
This adorable book is by one of my favorite children's authors. The Roly Poly Pangolin is a bit shy, and doesn't like anyone but his mama. Written in Dewdney's rhyming sing-song style, this book will delight parents, teachers, and children alike.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as charming as the Llama Llama books, but still I love her rhymes and her beautiful paintings. The pangolin is a real (and very weird) animal, and there is info about them at the back. Boy liked it as well. (He's five.)

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm just not a fan of the tone of Dewdney's newest. Yes, it's a great idea to introduce kids to the pangolin, an endangered species, but I feel like her books are getting preachier and preachier. This one is about overcoming shyness and making friends, but others have just been done much better.