Poindexter Makes a Friend

K-Gr 2—Poindexter, a shy pig, is more comfortable reading stories to his stuffed animals than playing with the kids in his neighborhood. His favorite place is the library where he can sit by himself and read when he isn't helping the librarian. One day he helps Shelby, a shy turtle, find a book on making friends. As the pig reads to him ("I'm not very good at reading big words yet," he tells Poindexter), the turtle's head emerges from his shell, and perceptive readers will know that the two are kindred spirits destined to be friends. When Poindexter shares his favorite book, How to Play with Stuffed Animals, Shelby pulls out his favorite stuffies. The final scene shows the happy pair at Poindexter's house, surrounded by stuffed animals and books. The watercolor illustrations in this gentle story are done in a cartoon style. Humorous details, like the stone statues of bookworms flanking the library entrance, will bring smiles. The pals' pleasure in sharing books with a dim-eyed mole and each other is palpable, and the four steps to becoming friends will work equally well with shy youngsters, who may have found a home—and friends—in their school or public library. Whether read in a storytime or shared one-on-one, this reassuring story will envelop youngsters like a warm, cozy blanket.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN