Poppleton And Friends

Poppleton #2

by Cynthia Rylant, Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Three charming stories of Poppleton and his wonderful friends who spend a day with him at the beach and give him sound advice when he needs it most.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Friendship, Humor, 1st Grade

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Cynthia Rylant is an American author, poet, and librarian whose deeply felt books for children and young adults have made her one of the most beloved voices in contemporary literature. Writing across picture books, novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, she has published more than one hundred works, many of them rooted in memory, family, solitude, and the emotional landscapes of ordinary life. Her fiction often draws from her upbringing in West Virginia and reflects the textures of Appalachian life with unusual tenderness and clarity.
Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.
Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.
Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.

Reviews

[Chinook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I taught the grapefruit story in Korea and I always loved sharing it with students. It was just as fun to read this with my kids. Tomorrow we should definitely buy them some to try.

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

My 4 year old thinks it’s weird he doesn’t have a wife…and it’s true…why write children’s books about a pig bachelor? 🤔

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book because I didn't like the part when Poppleton's lips got inside out. He was eating something that he really didn't like. I enjoyed this book because I liked the part when a mouse told him that instead of eating something he really didn't like, he said he just needed friends.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

MCL. It was funny when he kept getting questions about his lips.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poppleton And Friends
Rylant, Cynthia
an easy reading story this popular author helps the youngest readers step into chapter books.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are fun, enjoyable books. This one contains 3 stories or chapters. Each ends with a fun little twist. I like Poppleton. And yet I don't love him. Not sure why.

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

MCL. I think the Sassy Sues should have picked a different name for their club.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three short stories about Poppleton for mid-elementary readers.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Poppleton was tired of being landlocked. He wanted to go to the shore.

Premise/plot: Poppleton and Friends is the second book in the series by Cynthia Rylant. It is an early chapter book series. This one has three stories: "The Shore Day," "Dry Skin," and "Grapefruit." In the first story, Poppleton goes to the beach for the day. In the second story, Poppleton thinks he's suffering from dry skin. His friend, Cherry Sue, has plenty of advice for him. Can she solve the mystery of what is causing Poppleton's problem?! In the third story, Poppleton decides he wants to live a LONG, LONG life. Will eating grapefruit help him out?!

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED meeting Poppleton. I now want to read all the books in the series. I also loved meeting his friends. I would definitely recommend this one!

[Talia Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 7-year-old just finished reading this one to me. I was excited to read another book in the Scholastic Acorn line. This level is great for us, a step above a beginner but not quite an early chapter book. This book has a bit more text than others we have read in the Acorn line. It features 3 stories of daily adventures with Poppleton and his friends and includes hand-drawn, black and write illustrations. This book was average with my 7-year-old giving it a rating of 5/10. It will release on 11/5/19 along with four more ‘Poppleton’ books in this series in the future.

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know quite what makes Poppleton stories so charming, but we all love them.

[Nicola · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess I'm in a minority. We've just read two of the Poppleton volumes and I just didn't like them (Miss 4 thought they were okay). We read so many books and I just think there are better ways of expressing friendship and social interactions.

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Anna Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in the second grade, my class read the story “Grapefruit”. After finishing the story, we all tried some grapefruit as a class. Everyone else thought it was sour and gross, but I loved it. Not wanting to be an outcast, I pretended I thought it was gross. Later in life I found out that my mom had grapefruit cravings while pregnant with me, which explains my love for grapefruit or not idk I don’t know anything about pregnancy. Anyways, this story has always stuck with me and I’m glad I finally know what it’s called.

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love all the Poppleton books. My 2.5 year old is a huge fan of this series. This one was funny but not one of the bests, but the story of going to the beach with the Sassy Sues was definitely fun - especially the idea that they had the most fun of all in retelling it. The other two stories (I think it was dry skin and the grapefruit) were ok, but both had something gross about them that made them less endearing (eg. Dry skin and Poppletons shrivelled grapefruit mouth)

Great series for early readers with silly stories to keep your attention.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book two. I just can't give this even three stars. I forgave the debut for the animals wearing shirts but no pants, but this still has that ridiculousness. And it has wasting food. And P. overeating and not washing his dirty sweater. "I can be such a pig." I guess some kids will giggle, but I'm not a fan yet.

[Robert Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of books is one of the best for small children. With multiple short stories per book, it has continuing characters but new plots in each. The stories are fun, the characters well done, and as bedtime reading, this is tough to top. Read these with my children two and a half decades ago and now and reading them to another generation. They have great staying power.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The third story (Grapefruit) is the best, the other two are just so-so. We like some of the other Poppleton books better. I liked how he discovered the true way to live longer and it wasn't grapefruit lol.

[Sarah Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little series, especially the one about going to the shore, meeting the Sassy Sue’s and experiences unforeseen! Loved the idea of remembrance bringing much joy after an adventure. These stories bring up great questions of friendship and virtue for my young readers!

[Lee Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and silly, full of quirky characters. 3/5 stars.

[Adrianne Rosal · Rating 4 out of 5]

My third grade book club enjoyed this one.

[Nupur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has three short stories, each revolving around the sweetness that good friends bring into life.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and funny beginning chapter book. Poppleton's gentle adventures will keep kids turning the pages. I LOVED the disappearing lips in the chapter about grapefruit!

[Donalyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry skin? Eating grapefruit to live longer? Are these relatable concerns for the seven-year-olds reading this book?

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a strange, adorable little book.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poppleton goes on adventures and learns the importance of friends.

[DJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disjointed. It seems meant to be a chapter book, no link to the unrelated stories.

[Truett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is funny and the storyline is likable.

[Alyssa Haverfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art was cute and there were a number of silly-funny moments, but the writing was just okay. Plus, the actual topics were kind of snoozy. And I love grapefruit ;)

[Joy Keil · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are enjoying these Poppleton books more and more. With three short stories in each book, they are perfect for bedtime! Has been read on repeat for the last month!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poppleton goes to the beach, battles dry skin, and tries to eat grapefruit so he’ll live longer!

These cute silly stories are quick for me to read, and a big listening hit with my four-year-old!