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Elephant & Piggie #2
My Friend Is Sad
Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In My Friend is Sad , Gerald is sad. How can Piggie be happy if Gerald is sad?
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In My Friend is Sad , Gerald is sad. How can Piggie be happy if Gerald is sad?
64 pages, Hardcover
First published March 13, 2007
46 people are currently reading
2765 people want to read
About the author
Mo Willems
231 books4,113 followers#1 New York Times Bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems is best known for his Caldecott Honor winning picture books Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Knuffle Bunny: a cautionary tale.
In addition to such picture books as Leonardo the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, and Time to Pee, Mo has created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of early readers, and published You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons, an annotated cartoon journal sketched during a year-long voyage around the world in 1990-91.
The New York Times Book Review called Mo “the biggest new talent to emerge thus far in the 00's."
Mo’s work books have been translated into a myriad of languages, spawned animated shorts and theatrical musical productions, and his illustrations, wire sculpture, and carved ceramics have been exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation.
Mo began his career as a writer and animator for television, garnering 6 Emmy awards for his writing on Sesame Street, creating Nickelodeon's The Off-Beats, Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City and head-writing Codename: Kids Next Door.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.
In addition to such picture books as Leonardo the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, and Time to Pee, Mo has created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of early readers, and published You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons, an annotated cartoon journal sketched during a year-long voyage around the world in 1990-91.
The New York Times Book Review called Mo “the biggest new talent to emerge thus far in the 00's."
Mo’s work books have been translated into a myriad of languages, spawned animated shorts and theatrical musical productions, and his illustrations, wire sculpture, and carved ceramics have been exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation.
Mo began his career as a writer and animator for television, garnering 6 Emmy awards for his writing on Sesame Street, creating Nickelodeon's The Off-Beats, Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City and head-writing Codename: Kids Next Door.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 586 reviews
February 18, 2021
In this volume of the epic Elephant and Piggie saga (truly Beowulf and Gilgamesh can hardly compare to these adventures) Piggie discovers the Gerald is sad. She decides to try and cheer him up wearing several different costumes. A moment of happiness is seen, but it is fleeting. What truly is bothering Gerald?
(We also learn who Piggie will side with during the inevitable Robot Uprising... she too will welcome our new robot overlords)
This volume is one of the more amusing in the series in my opinion. While my daughter laughs at pretty much all of them, this one is one of the prime candidates for the dreaded "again, again." Despite the numerous time's we've read it, this one hasn't lost its original charm which says a lot for it.
The end of the story is obviously exaggerated, but rather relatable. I think we've all felt that way at some point, and I appreciate how these books grapple with some concepts/emotions that are harder for children to grasp sometimes in an easy and amusing way.
4/5 stars.
(We also learn who Piggie will side with during the inevitable Robot Uprising... she too will welcome our new robot overlords)
This volume is one of the more amusing in the series in my opinion. While my daughter laughs at pretty much all of them, this one is one of the prime candidates for the dreaded "again, again." Despite the numerous time's we've read it, this one hasn't lost its original charm which says a lot for it.
The end of the story is obviously exaggerated, but rather relatable. I think we've all felt that way at some point, and I appreciate how these books grapple with some concepts/emotions that are harder for children to grasp sometimes in an easy and amusing way.
4/5 stars.
July 13, 2017
My Friend is Sad is the loveliest of tales on kindness and empathy for friends.
July 3, 2018
The Elephant and Piggie series continues to dazzle in this piece that shows emotions to the young reader. When Piggie notices that Gerald is quite sad, she does everything in her power to help. This includes trying to entertain him with some of his favourite characters. However, nothing seems to help and Gerald’s sadness grows larger. When Piggie comes to see her friend, Gerald’s mood drastically improves and hoe explains why nothing seems to make him happy. As frustrating as it may be, Piggie cannot help but be somewhat touched. Neo enjoyed this piece and had told me that while we are coming to the end of our holiday Elephant and Piggie binge, he hopes that Mo Willems has more for us to enjoy. Stay tuned, folks!
September 20, 2019
Piggie does everything to make her friend Gerald smile.
A book that teaches children to be empathetic and compassionate.
A book that teaches children to be empathetic and compassionate.
October 10, 2022
عنوان ترجمهی فارسی: "خوشحال شدی؟"
(و این سوال همیشگی که چرا توی ترجمه عنوان رو عوض میکنین آخه 🤪 اسم خودش که بهتره)
(و این سوال همیشگی که چرا توی ترجمه عنوان رو عوض میکنین آخه 🤪 اسم خودش که بهتره)
January 13, 2015
This one was hilarious!!!!!!
Gerald is sad and Piggie tries to cheer him up, but in the end, all Gerald needed to be happy was... his best friend! It was great to see the deepness of their friendship <3
The faces serious Gerald makes in this book are just to-die-for, he's so cute!
Gerald is sad and Piggie tries to cheer him up, but in the end, all Gerald needed to be happy was... his best friend! It was great to see the deepness of their friendship <3
The faces serious Gerald makes in this book are just to-die-for, he's so cute!
May 6, 2007
I liked Today I Will Fly. But this one is just so far superior, for no reason other than the hilariously expressive faces Willems draws on poor Gerald the elephant, who is just melting into despair while Piggy tries desperately to cheer him up.
January 6, 2019
For real though, how could anyone not like this series?! 😂😂😂
March 6, 2023
Am citit cărticica asta ieri, în Bookcorner, și a fost foarte nice. Regret uneori că nu am crescut cu genul ăsta de literatură empatică și atractiv ilustrată.
April 25, 2010
Easy Readers are kinda a pain to deal with. You want to hold your kid's attention naturally (they won't want to read a boring book, and who can blame them?) while teaching them something, and you want them to want to read the book again. Reading a book more than once increases their understanding. (Plus, you probably don't have enough cash to buy enough books for your kid to read them each one time only.)
This is a tough sell. Kids don't want to read "books" that are nothing but thinly done excuses for teaching "-at" words, or practicing their first Dolch list. They want to read literature! Not baby books! And you're holding them back! (And then they open up literature and get frustrated. You just can't win.)
Well, forget all that. Elephant and Piggie is your solution.
These books are definitely easy. They have few words, and a lot of repetition of the words they have. (They're told in (very funny) dialog, and for humor one character often repeats another's sentence verbatim. "There is a bird on your head." "There is a bird on my head???")
But they're also FUNNY. I'm a grown-up, I see these jokes telegraphed a mile away, and I still crack up reading them.
And the illustrations! Just enough to help the cautious reader... but not so detailed that the reader can depend entirely on them to tell the story. No, you have to read the words.
These books are wildly funny, and they're educational. Your kid will read them to tatters. What more can you ask?
My favorite part of this book has to be Elephant's utter desolation after the robot incident. Or maybe Piggie's blatant breaking of the fourth wall when she realizes what a doofus her best friend is. Gerald is bemoaning the fact that Piggie was not there to see "A FUNNY FUNNY CLOWN!" (she was, in fact, the clown trying to cheer Gerald up), and the look Piggie gives the reader is utterly priceless. (Maybe I just love how sweet it is that what is making Gerald sad is the fact that his best friend was not there to see these awesome things. It's like The Gift of the Magi, but with more cardboard box robots!)
This is a tough sell. Kids don't want to read "books" that are nothing but thinly done excuses for teaching "-at" words, or practicing their first Dolch list. They want to read literature! Not baby books! And you're holding them back! (And then they open up literature and get frustrated. You just can't win.)
Well, forget all that. Elephant and Piggie is your solution.
These books are definitely easy. They have few words, and a lot of repetition of the words they have. (They're told in (very funny) dialog, and for humor one character often repeats another's sentence verbatim. "There is a bird on your head." "There is a bird on my head???")
But they're also FUNNY. I'm a grown-up, I see these jokes telegraphed a mile away, and I still crack up reading them.
And the illustrations! Just enough to help the cautious reader... but not so detailed that the reader can depend entirely on them to tell the story. No, you have to read the words.
These books are wildly funny, and they're educational. Your kid will read them to tatters. What more can you ask?
My favorite part of this book has to be Elephant's utter desolation after the robot incident. Or maybe Piggie's blatant breaking of the fourth wall when she realizes what a doofus her best friend is. Gerald is bemoaning the fact that Piggie was not there to see "A FUNNY FUNNY CLOWN!" (she was, in fact, the clown trying to cheer Gerald up), and the look Piggie gives the reader is utterly priceless. (Maybe I just love how sweet it is that what is making Gerald sad is the fact that his best friend was not there to see these awesome things. It's like The Gift of the Magi, but with more cardboard box robots!)
September 11, 2010
We love Mo Willems's books and the Elephant and Piggie series is hilarious. Our oldest likes to pretend she's Gerald and I am Piggie and we each read our own dialogue. It's fun and we enjoy the back and forth conversation of the story.
February 6, 2017
In this wonderful story, Piggie finds his friend very sad. So. Piggie dresses up in different things that elephant likes to get elephant to smile and be happy. What one friend will do for another, and the value of sharing your experience with a friend.
February 4, 2022
All I can say is I love Elephant and Piggie! The ending is priceless.
July 27, 2019
عنوان ترجمه فارسی: خوش حال شدی؟
(داستان های فیلی و فیگی-2)
(داستان های فیلی و فیگی-2)
August 23, 2022
i laughed the entire time
June 29, 2021
хороший и супергуманно-моралистический детский книжак!
.
.
дано: грустный слон, веселая свиня-з-під-коня,
найти: способ его развеселить,
итог: способ найден, всем спасибо!
.
.
*ключ в делиться радостью с тем, кто тебе той во. даже если оно - свиня.
.
.
дано: грустный слон, веселая свиня-з-під-коня,
найти: способ его развеселить,
итог: способ найден, всем спасибо!
.
.
*ключ в делиться радостью с тем, кто тебе той во. даже если оно - свиня.
November 6, 2011
HOW HAVE I NOT HEARD OF ELEPHANT & PIGGIE BOOKS UNTIL NOW!!!!???????? If you have a child age 4-8 (I think these are technically 'emergent reader' books) you MUST try them out.
Why is Mo Willems a genius, you ask? Because he is. Very much so. Because of what he requires of his readers. Apparently anyone can throw together a picture/children's book that's dreck (I'm looking at you Tyra Banks). Recently I read an article in Horn Books of a talk he (MW) gave. So instead of telling you about this book (which tackles loneliness, friendship, and sadness), I want you to read MW's philosophy on writing children's literature (picture books):
I have the structure of my past work, and I am guided through the storms by this simple mantra: always think of your audience; never think for your audience.
This is done by putting as little as possible into the final work so as to leave room for my audience to enhance the story. As a simple test, if I re-read one of my manuscripts and I understand exactly what is happening, then the manuscript has too many words. And if I look at the images without the words and I can fully understand the story, there are too many drawings. It is only right when both words and image need each other to make any sense. They need to be as close to incomprehensible, separately, as possible.
Yes, I make incomprehensible books for illiterates.
Incomprehensible also because I never know what the book I’ve made “means.” That’s my audience’s job. You, the reader, create meaning out of the story; I just set the table. The fundamental truth of this was driven home when I read two early reviews for my first picture book, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The first one said, “I love this book because it teaches perseverance. It teaches kids never to give up. To fight on.” The second review said, “I love this book because it teaches kids to value the word ‘no,’ to know when to stop.”
Here’s the thing: both reviews were right. Their authors each brought their own selves to the story and in their minds created meanings that had never occurred to me. They became the co-authors of the book, implanting the meaning that was purposefully omitted, or perhaps obscured. Because, truth be told, I don’t have any answers. I’m not interested in them.
Why would I want to write about things I know? I already know them. I prefer to write about things I don’t know, about things that perplex me, create a sense of wonder in me, or are simply weird. So I write about things like: What is a friend? How do you keep a friend? How does what you do by accident change your environment and how do you come to grips with that? Wouldn’t it be cool to drive a bus? You know, the sort of fundamental, deep emotional questions that we all have.
Why is Mo Willems a genius, you ask? Because he is. Very much so. Because of what he requires of his readers. Apparently anyone can throw together a picture/children's book that's dreck (I'm looking at you Tyra Banks). Recently I read an article in Horn Books of a talk he (MW) gave. So instead of telling you about this book (which tackles loneliness, friendship, and sadness), I want you to read MW's philosophy on writing children's literature (picture books):
I have the structure of my past work, and I am guided through the storms by this simple mantra: always think of your audience; never think for your audience.
This is done by putting as little as possible into the final work so as to leave room for my audience to enhance the story. As a simple test, if I re-read one of my manuscripts and I understand exactly what is happening, then the manuscript has too many words. And if I look at the images without the words and I can fully understand the story, there are too many drawings. It is only right when both words and image need each other to make any sense. They need to be as close to incomprehensible, separately, as possible.
Yes, I make incomprehensible books for illiterates.
Incomprehensible also because I never know what the book I’ve made “means.” That’s my audience’s job. You, the reader, create meaning out of the story; I just set the table. The fundamental truth of this was driven home when I read two early reviews for my first picture book, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The first one said, “I love this book because it teaches perseverance. It teaches kids never to give up. To fight on.” The second review said, “I love this book because it teaches kids to value the word ‘no,’ to know when to stop.”
Here’s the thing: both reviews were right. Their authors each brought their own selves to the story and in their minds created meanings that had never occurred to me. They became the co-authors of the book, implanting the meaning that was purposefully omitted, or perhaps obscured. Because, truth be told, I don’t have any answers. I’m not interested in them.
Why would I want to write about things I know? I already know them. I prefer to write about things I don’t know, about things that perplex me, create a sense of wonder in me, or are simply weird. So I write about things like: What is a friend? How do you keep a friend? How does what you do by accident change your environment and how do you come to grips with that? Wouldn’t it be cool to drive a bus? You know, the sort of fundamental, deep emotional questions that we all have.
January 20, 2019
I don’t usually count the books I read with my 5yo daughter in my own “read” this. But this one had the two of us cracking up so much, I decided to count it as one of my own, too.
Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie books are always fantastic, with just the right amount of perspective twist to engage readers of any age.
I just loved it.
Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie books are always fantastic, with just the right amount of perspective twist to engage readers of any age.
I just loved it.
October 27, 2018
Yeah, I know it's a teeny-tiny kids book, but it is so cute! The expressions on the animal's faces... and the dialogue!
I am probably still a small child who enjoys books with lots of pictures. Also, Elephant is like my spirit animal, if I had one. :P
I am probably still a small child who enjoys books with lots of pictures. Also, Elephant is like my spirit animal, if I had one. :P
November 28, 2016
Lovely, sweet, and silly!
March 20, 2018
I liked this one better than others in the series I’ve read. I still think I’m too young. The pictures aren’t grabbing my attention.
February 2, 2022
Read the Spanish translation of this to Jimena this afternoon. I loved it! Very sweet.
November 27, 2017
Text-To-Self
Mo Willems children’s books are creative, funny and can make real-life connections with many people, one being me. I find the story to be uplifting and accurate regarding a relationship between best friends. The friendship between Gerald, the elephant, and Piggie, the pig, is a heartwarming tale of friends needing each other. Although Piggie, on numerous occasions tries to cheer Gerald up through pretending to be someone or something else, Gerald just wants to be with his best friend. Gerald’s thoughts and feelings are that he would like to share all the delightful characters he is seeing before him, but Piggie is nowhere about. Unbeknownst to Gerald, Piggie is there with him! He dresses like the characters! How many times have I wished my best friend could be with me as I see, interact, or learn something new for the first time. My best friend, my boyfriend, is whom I would like to share these experiences!
Mo Willems children’s books are creative, funny and can make real-life connections with many people, one being me. I find the story to be uplifting and accurate regarding a relationship between best friends. The friendship between Gerald, the elephant, and Piggie, the pig, is a heartwarming tale of friends needing each other. Although Piggie, on numerous occasions tries to cheer Gerald up through pretending to be someone or something else, Gerald just wants to be with his best friend. Gerald’s thoughts and feelings are that he would like to share all the delightful characters he is seeing before him, but Piggie is nowhere about. Unbeknownst to Gerald, Piggie is there with him! He dresses like the characters! How many times have I wished my best friend could be with me as I see, interact, or learn something new for the first time. My best friend, my boyfriend, is whom I would like to share these experiences!
May 21, 2012
I will just give a generic review of this series.....We love them. They are so dang funny. It amazes me that with just a few pen strokes Willems can convey so many different emotions. The illustrations are hilarious and the story line is always entertaining. They are great books for reading out loud in dramatic ways. They're also great for kids wanting something to read on their own, or with a parent. Sometimes I'll read the Pig part (because I'm a girl) and my boys will read the Elephant part (because they're boys).
One of their favorite parts is the end page (the page attached to the back cover) - the sneaky Pigeon is always camouflaged there and they love trying to find him.
Love, love, love the series. If I could afford it I'd buy them all, but there are a bazillion or so and I hope he writes even more!
One of their favorite parts is the end page (the page attached to the back cover) - the sneaky Pigeon is always camouflaged there and they love trying to find him.
Love, love, love the series. If I could afford it I'd buy them all, but there are a bazillion or so and I hope he writes even more!
October 21, 2013
My Friend is Sad is a delightful book. Gerald and Piggie have a lovely friendship, which this book demonstrates with minimal words. The layout is characteristic of Mo Willems, with subtle colours and lots of speech bubbles. It would probably have been an even better read had I read the first book in the series beforehand.
Gerald is sad, and Piggie tries to cheer him up. He shows just how well he knows Gerald, but it transpires that it is actually sharing things with Piggie that makes Gerald happy.
This book could be used in EYFS or more effectively in KS 1. It is possible that it could be used as a whole class book, but it could also be used as a tool to introduce speech bubbles, or even as a prompt to encourage children to write a simple story.
Gerald is sad, and Piggie tries to cheer him up. He shows just how well he knows Gerald, but it transpires that it is actually sharing things with Piggie that makes Gerald happy.
This book could be used in EYFS or more effectively in KS 1. It is possible that it could be used as a whole class book, but it could also be used as a tool to introduce speech bubbles, or even as a prompt to encourage children to write a simple story.
September 27, 2020
My Friend Is Sad is another book in the Elephant and Piggy series. In this book, Elephant is sad and Piggy dresses up in different costumes to try and cheer Elephant up. However, nothing works and Piggy finally talks to Elephant as himself which makes Elephant very happy because all he wanted was his best friend. Personally, I loved this book and thought it was a very cute way to talk about emotions and being there for your friends. I would recommend this book for early readers because of its many pictures and accessible vocabulary for those who are still learning to read. I would also recommend My Friend Is Sad because it provides an excellent opportunity for young kids to learn about handling emotions when their friends might be sad.
November 29, 2017
This was not as good as "Today I Will Fly" but the pictures were still just as cute. It wasn't a bad book. I just didn't like it as much as the other.
2/8/12 Originally gave it 2 stars?! This has to be because it was before I had fully transitioned to the Children's Librarian World and seen just why these books are so great. It's still not my favorite, but it is definitely a lot better than "ok." Ah, fun-ness. And I'm so glad I know better now. :-)
11/29/17 Used as Closer in Friends theme. Had to fit E&P into the holiday session! The whole crowd enjoyed.
2/8/12 Originally gave it 2 stars?! This has to be because it was before I had fully transitioned to the Children's Librarian World and seen just why these books are so great. It's still not my favorite, but it is definitely a lot better than "ok." Ah, fun-ness. And I'm so glad I know better now. :-)
11/29/17 Used as Closer in Friends theme. Had to fit E&P into the holiday session! The whole crowd enjoyed.
April 16, 2013
Gerald is sad. Piggie dresses up as fun characters to cheer him up...will it be enough to make Gerald happy?
My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems is another great example of a book that could be used to assist an adult in discussing feelings of sadness with a child. The book’s characters capture the thoughts and feelings of young children and this allows children to more easily express their own thoughts and feelings about sadness personally and how it feels when others around us are sad.
My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems is another great example of a book that could be used to assist an adult in discussing feelings of sadness with a child. The book’s characters capture the thoughts and feelings of young children and this allows children to more easily express their own thoughts and feelings about sadness personally and how it feels when others around us are sad.
September 11, 2013
Another wonderful Willems book that kept both my 5 yr old and twin 3 yr olds fascinated. Not enough words to be even a reading level 1 book, Willems still has a way about him to bring the reader into his wonderful world. These books are ones my whole family loves. And a fellow friend on GR recently told me that the pigeon was hidden in each book and we now love to look for him too! Fun for all and a great addition to any children's library!
November 24, 2014
This is a cute little story about two friends. In this particular story is about a friend being sad. It is a great story that explains and shows feelings and why the character is feeling sad. This story is written in a different way then normal story. It is almost like you are reading their conversation. Very cool style. It may be fun to have children read in pairs and one could read piggie part and the other elephant's part. Pictures are very simple but perfect for the story. Very good story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 586 reviews