Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

Poppleton Forever

Poppleton Forever

Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator:   Mark Teague 
Fiction  Series
For ages 6 to 8
Scholastic, 1998   ISBN: 0590848445

Poppleton has planted a little dogwood tree in his garden. He gives the tree everything it needs, and much to Poppleton’s delight the tree prospers. Then one day Poppleton comes to water his tree and he notices that his lovely little tree is looking very unwell indeed. Its leaves are drooping and they are brown. In addition, the tree’s bark is peeling. Poppleton calls the tree doctor and asks him to “come right away.” The doctor tells Poppleton that his tree is not sick, but that it “needs something.” The problem is that Poppleton has no idea what this something is. Thankfully, he has some very good friends who do their best to help Poppleton figure it all out.

In this trio of stories, readers will get to know Poppleton the pig and his delightful friends. The stories are touching, funny, and infused with just the right amount of common sense and wisdom to makes the tales timeless. Beginner readers who are eager to read on their own will find Poppleton quite irresistible.