Ping Wants to Play

September 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 3-This new addition to the series introduces readers to Ping and his good friend Pong. These two canine pals have side by side doghouses and love eating and walking together. But while Pong heads into his house for a nap, Ping goes into her house and comes out as Super-Ping (yes, she is wearing a cape). Super-Ping likes to run and jump and now wonders if she can fly (with the help of a ramp and trampoline). As usual, flying is easy; it's the landing that's tricky. Luckily, Ping (even Super-Ping) can count on her pal Pong to help her when she's in need. The simple, single-sentence-per-page text is matched by Gudeon's effective, childlike illustrations. His uncluttered ink drawings with digital coloring are a great match for the text. Who knew black oval eyes could be so expressive? The addition of a peanut gallery for Super-Ping consisting of a bird, squirrel, and cat adds additional humor and concern for her antics. This early reader in a picture book format serves both audiences well and works as a read-alone or as a read-aloud.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2014
Ping and Pong are canine companions who demonstrate caring cooperation in this pleasant, predictable story for emergent readers. Ping is a perky hound dog with floppy, brown ears and a friendly expression. She lives in a suburban backyard in a red doghouse with a matching red food bowl. Pong is a tan, male bulldog with a grumpy look living in a yellow doghouse right next to Ping's red one. While Ping is playful, Pong is more sedate, preferring naps to active play. During Pong's nap, Ping puts on a red cape, transforming into Super-Ping. She hops on a minitrampoline, trying to fly, but ends up stuck on top of Pong's doghouse. Her friend kindly rescues his pal by letting her climb down on his back. The plot is conveyed in simple, short sentences set in large type suited to new readers, with thoughtful clues in the illustrations and patterned text to aid in comprehension. A large trim size and cheerful, cartoon-style illustrations make this a satisfying choice for beginning readers, as well a quick read-aloud for preschoolers.This playful story offers plenty of support to new readers. (Early reader. 5-8)

COPYRIGHT(2014) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2015
Dogs Ping and Pong are pals, but they like to do different things. While Ping pretends to be a superhero, Pong naps--until Super-Ping needs help. Using typical easy-reader structure, repetition, and vocabulary, this book brings in themes of friendship, imagination, and creativity while also playing with ideas of sameness and difference. The simple ink and digital illustrations are refreshingly clutter-free.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)