Don't Be Afraid, Little Pip [Hardcover]

Karma Wilson (Author), Jane Chapman (Illustrator)

Book Description

It's the day all baby penguins are going to learn to swim, but Little Pip is afraid....

Nothing scares Little Pip more than the thought of swimming in the deep dark ocean -- she would much rather learn to fly just like other birds do. But soon it comes time for all the young penguins to learn how to swim, and while Little Pip might not be able to fly the way she wants to, she discovers she can soar in ways she never thought possible.

Following the success of Where Is Home, Little Pip? comes this reassuring tale about the lovable Little Pip that will leave readers cheering -- and perhaps a little less scared to try something new. The bestselling author and illustrator team of Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman has created a wonderful story about all the exciting adven-tures that await us once we conquer our fears.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K—In this companion to Where Is Home, Little Pip? (S & S, 2008), readers are reacquainted with the small penguin on the day she is supposed to learn to swim. She is a frightened and unwilling participant in the lesson. Pip asks the Snow Petrel and the Giant Albatross if they would show her how to fly, but because they are different types of birds, their suggestions are not helpful. Finally, she soldiers on toward a successful conclusion. Deliciously cool watercolor endpapers in shades of aqua carry over into the large acrylic illustrations enhancing the text. The font is an effective size—large for Pip's announcement, "I want to fly," yet tiny when she whispers back to her parents, "I still just want to fly." Rhyming couplets vary the narrative by presenting occasional four-line poems as a song. Children will be reassured that their fear of trying something new is universal and can have a happy ending.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA END

About the Author

Karma Wilson's previous picture books include Bear Snores On, Bear Wants More, Bear Stays Up for Christmas, and Mortimer's Christmas Manger, all illustrated by Jane Chapman, One Day in the Middle of the Bog, illustrated by Joan Rankin, and Hilda Must Be Dancing and Bear Hugs illustrated by Suzanne Watts. She lives with her family in Fortine, Montana. Karma Wilson's website is at karmawilson.com.

Jane Chapman is the illustrator of several books for children including Dilly Duckling by Claire Freedman and I Love My Mama by Peter Kavanagh, as well as Karma Wilson's Bear Snores On, Bear Wants More, Bear Stays Up for Christmas, and Mortimer's Christmas Manger. She lives with her family in Dorset, England.  Visit Jane at ChapmanandWarnes.com. 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (September 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689859872
• ISBN-13: 978-0689859878
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #338,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PIP'S SECOND ADVENTURE IS AS ENDEARING AS THE FIRST, September 26, 2009

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Don't Be Afraid, Little Pip (Hardcover)

Many of us have enjoyed Wilson and Chapman's initial Little Pip tale, Where Is Home, Little Pip? It was a warm reassuring story for youngsters to hear or read. The same is true of Don't Be Afraid, Little Pip, again relating to a feeling young ones can understand, fear, and presenting the joy and adventure that awaits when fears are overcome.

This story begins on the day all young penguins will be learning to swim. Oh, oh, Pip is afraid, thinking, "The ocean looked awfully dark and deep. She gazed up. The blue sky looked bright and cheerful. I think I'd much rather fly than swim..."

So, when the other young penguins lined up to go into the ocean Pip skittered away down the shoreline. First, she asked a Snow Petrel to show her how to fly, and then a Giant Albatross. They were both helpful, but, after all, penguins are not meant to fly.

It takes Pip a tumble and some time but she learns how important it is to be yourself, and discovers the great happiness to be found in doing just that.

The acrylic full page illustrations are the beautiful colors of sea, sky and shore. And Pip, of course, with her sprouting feathers is endearing.

- Gail Cooke