3 out of 4 stars
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My Review of Puffy and the Formidable Foe by Marie G. Lepkowski, Ann M. Hannon, Margaret B. Hannon
Illustrated by Ann M. Hannon; Margaret B. Hannon
Children by nature are very trusting and are often not able to differentiate between similar situations or people. It is not uncommon for them to feel safe with strangers and not know when danger looms. Part of the training children get while growing up is to be able to identify similarities and detect differences. Hopefully that will lead to discernment over time. Discernment is a skill that can protect, preserve and save one from dangerous situations. Discernment can make one stay and find fun in safe environments like home. That is why they are taught early not to talk to strangers and not to wander off alone without an adult accompanying them.
Puffy and the Formidable Foe is a children’s picture book authored by Marie G. Lepkowski, Ann M. Hannon and Margaret B. Hannon. Two of the authors – Ann M. Hannon & Margaret B. Hannon were also the illustrators for this book. In sixteen pages the authors, using a third person narrative, introduce us to the main character Puffy who is a cat.
Puffy is bored, as a lot of children often are, and decides to go out for a walk. The exploration leads him to meet, for the first time in his life, a “stinky” cat-like animal. The animal does not mew because it is not a cat, but a skunk. In the process of interaction, Puffy finds out that the skunk’s smell has rubbed off on him and he knows that will earn him a bath. Puffy detests being given a bath and a lot of children do too so they probably will relate to this easily.
I enjoyed reading this book. The language was simple and easy to read with the use of only a few ‘complex’ words which can help build the children’s vocabulary. In addition to the new words they learn, there are rhyming words to learn too. They are a few educative lessons on nature for children here. They learn that moles are found in holes and that skunks stink. These facts can serve as a conversation starter for teachers and caregivers to build on. It says Puffy went to look for mushroom hoods to rest “beneath” but I am not sure mushroom hoods are big enough for a cat to rest under. They could have written to rest “beside” and not “beneath”. Indeed the illustration of this line shows Puffy beside the hoods and not beneath them.
I liked the fact that some of the authors illustrated the book. The illustrations look like something children aged between two and five years could have drawn and therefore can relate to. However, I do not feel as if the illustrations are catchy enough to engage children older than five years. I liked the ending best because it teaches security in a subtle, but fun way. Puffy has had his experience and decides that playing close to home is safer. For me, the lesson may be summarized by reordering some words in the book: “Stay safe at home; don’t go out and roam”. I liked the inclusion of suggestions of how to use the book effectively, the addition of a page for children to color and the offer of a way of engaging with the authors via email.
I honestly cannot relate to the title of this book. Puffy met a skunk. I haven’t quite figured out what makes that skunk ‘a formidable foe’. I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because I felt the illustrations could have been made more attractive to children and the title could have been better. I recommend it for young readers, schools and families.
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Puffy and the Formidable Foe
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