Edward Gets Messy

PreS-Gr 2—Edward is a young pig who likes a well-ordered life. While it might be satisfying to be so darn neat, it also poses some challenges. Edward can't pet a dog or eat any food that splatters, and school contains a whole host of horrors, with messy art projects and untidy outdoor activities. One fateful day, an entire shelf of art supplies falls, and Edward is bathed in a glorious and colorful mess. His initial anxiety quickly dissipates as he discovers the intrinsic joy of creating without worrying. Soon he is taking part in exploding science experiments, petting dogs, and slurping a very messy plate of spaghetti. The charming tale ends with Edward taking a bath and looking quite content. The text is matched perfectly by Stern's illustrations, which portray the fastidious lifestyle of Edward with precision and detail and then give way to utter abandon. The wonderful spread depicting a muddy and messy baseball game, with Edward sliding into second base, confirms his transformation.