Where Is Home, Little Pip? (Hardcover)

by Karma Wilson (Author), Jane Chapman (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1—This book invokes themes of family and home in an Arctic setting. A young penguin loves to play and explore but is constantly warned by her doting parents not to wander far. Every night they sing a song reminding her that "our home is...in our pebbly nest by the stormy sea,/where Mama and Papa and Pip makes three." (The grammatical error is unfortunate.) One day, inevitably, Pip wanders off and becomes lost. She asks the different animals that she encounters, "Where is home?" But for each creature, home is a different place. Alone and frightened in the frozen wilderness, Pip sings the song that Mama and Papa taught her, and, like a talisman, it brings them together for a joyful reunion ("Since we're together, home is right here!"). Well-structured text, genuine emotions, and beautiful full-bleed illustrations in a palette that ranges from cool whites and blues to warm pinks, corals, and tans combine to produce a wonderful story of a loving family separated and then reunited. Pair this tale with reassuring stories such as Harry Horse's Little Rabbit Lost (Peachtree, 2002), Janell Cannon's Stellaluna (Harcourt, 1993), and Martin Waddell's Owl Babies (Candlewick, 1992).—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY
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From Booklist
Pip is a plucky baby penguin who spends her days sailing down snowy banks, snacking on fish, and being cuddled by her parents, who sing the same song each night: “Our home is where the land is free from hill or mountain, twig or tree, in our pebbly nest by the stormy sea, where Mama and Papa and Pip make three.” Yes, there are shades of And Tango Makes Three (2005), but Wilson’s story finds originality in how it ultimately handles the concept of home. Innocently chasing after a feather, Pip finds herself suddenly lost. “Where is home?” she asks a blue whale, a bird, and a sled dog; but the home each animal describes is far different than Pip’s beloved snowy tundra. When Pip’s folks finally waddle their way back into her life, they sing a new song that establishes that people, not places, make a home. Young readers will quickly identify with Pip’s separation anxiety and enjoy the happy ending. Preschool-Grade 2. --Daniel Kraus

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; First Edition edition (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068985983X
• ISBN-13: 978-0689859830
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,121 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Read From Beginning to End, September 30, 2008

By	Marisa (Southern California) - See all my reviews

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Where is Home Little Pip? I read this to my kids just the other evening and we really enjoyed reading about Pips adventure. When we transitioned from one page to another my kids anticipated who Pip was going to meet next. At each encounter Pip was treated to a cute poem about where each creature felt home was to them. There is a slow building to a great moral in this delightful book. Pips adventure is fast becoming a staple read for bedtime. My kids ages 7 & 3 loved this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful book!, September 25, 2008

By	D. Miller (Columbus,Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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"Where is Home, Little Pip?" is a delightful tale about a little boy penguin named Pip who gets lost after chasing after a feather. Trying to find his way home, he meets up with several other animals and asks "Where is Home" Each animal gives a lovely rhyme back describing their home. Pip eventually finds his Mama and Papa. This is one of the most enjoyable childrens book I have read in a long time! Very beautifully illustrated! An interesting and engaging story that will sure to be a favorite at YOUR home!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Cute", October 1, 2008

By	BookReviewsByDebra "Book Reviews By Debra" (Hawesville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

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Written by: Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Published by: Simon and Schuster
Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins, Parish Rollins (age 4), and Isaac Rollins (age 2) for ReviewYourBook.com 9/2008
"Cute" 4 stars
Pip is a baby penguin. He is a bit scatter-brained as most children are. His feather-chasing escapade leads his to being lost. How will he ever find his parents, who told him to not go far from them?
He tries to find his way back home. He stops to ask several other creatures where home is. He realizes that their definition of home is different from his. Of course, there is a wonderful homecoming.
This is such a cute story with wonderful illustrations. The words are easy to sound out. The story is universal for toddlers to 2nd graders.
Isaac enjoyed watched the feather float from one page to another. Parish enjoyed the penguin games. We recommend this!