Title: I Am Going!

Author: Mo Willems

Age Group: Since this is an early reader, it’s meant for 4-6 year olds. But I love it, and so does my 16-month-old Grumpkin. So can I say ageless? Let’s go with that.

The plot, in three sentences or less: Gerald (the elephant) and Piggie (the piggy) are best friends, so imagine Gerald’s horror when Piggie announces suddenly that she is going. Gerald begs and pleads with her to reconsider. When Piggie tells Gerald that she’s just GOING for some lunch, Gerald decides to tag along on her picnic.

The Good:

* Does Mo Willems write anything bad? Really? Can the man write a non-awesome book? I don’t think so. I’ve read pretty much everything he’s written, so I can judge fairly. He’s a genius.

* I love the expression Mo gets from his characters. They’re so simple, but so effective. My favourite page is near the end, when Gerald asks Piggie if she has a big lunch. Oh, Gerald. You’re so transparent in your motives.

* The frenetic pace of Gerald’s pleading makes this wonderful to read aloud. The Grumpkin especially likes the page of “whys” followed by the one final sad “why”?

The Bad:

*  The only thing I can think of that you might call ‘bad’ is something my husband pointed out. He said, “If Piggie was just clear about going for lunch on, like, page six, Gerald wouldn’t have been confused about anything.”  Uh, OK. Yes. And there wouldn’t have been a story. Sigh. Husbands. AmIright?

My Overall Opinion:

If you don’t have a ton of books by Mo Willems in your little one’s library, you’re doing it wrong. There, I said it. Trust me. You need Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny and Amanda and her Alligator and Elephant and Piggie and everyone. They’re all fabulous and I highly recommend stocking up.

Oh, Mo. I’m such a fangirl.