ALA Booklist (Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 1998)

When Lollipop comes over to play at Amanda's house, she's initially so shy that she won't speak to Amanda's mother or brother but whispers what she has to say into her friend's ear. Finally, she finds her voice when she yells at Amanda's brother, Oliver. Visiting at Lollipop's house, Amanda Pig finds everything to her liking, from Lollipop's purple bedroom to her baby sister. Invited for a sleepover, though, she finds that she likes to go back to her house at night. Written with simplicity and affection, the four short stories will appeal to many young children, even those too young to read on their own. The rounded lines and vivid colors of the illustrations give the book a cozy, inviting look. A pleasant entry in the continuing series about Oliver and Amanda Pig. (Reviewed July 1998)

Horn Book

Amanda Pig continues her move out into the wider world, as her friendship with shy classmate Lollipop (introduced in 'Amanda Pig, Schoolgirl') leads to reciprocal play dates and then to Amanda's first attempted sleepover. Situations are funny, or touching, but always true-to-life, and a reassuringly warm tone (broken up nicely by some characteristic rambunctiousness on Oliver's part) prevails.

Kirkus Reviews

In this entry in the Easy-to-Read series, ebullient Amanda Pig (Oliver and Amanda and the Big Snow, 1995, etc.) discovers that independence can be scary. With new best friend Lollipop, Amanda spends a day playing at home, another outside with their toy "babies," and another at Lollipop's house, in her grand purple room. A sleepover takes an Edward-the-Unready turn (Edward's Overwhelming Overnight, 1995) and Amanda phones home, with the wish to be in her own bed at night. Amanda's neighborhood is filled with understanding and loving adults, while Schweninger's colorful pastel illustrations reinforce the overall tone of warmth and predictability of the text. Van Leeuwen creates a comfortable world of safety and security in this feel-good, reassuring book. (Picture book. 4-8)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Four delightful stories featuring these porcine pals. When Lollipop comes to visit, she is so shy that she will only whisper into Amanda's ear. A fall from a swing and Mother's comforting arms help the little pig to open up. In the second story, the companions play with their dolls and Lollipop breaks through her shyness to defend their toys against Amanda's older brother. In another chapter, Amanda likes Lollipop's house much better than her own; she especially likes playing with her friend's baby sister. In the final episode, Amanda is frightened during a sleepover at Lollipop's and calls her father to come and get her. The simple language captures the warmth and caring between these two friends. The dialogue is realistic and playful, as Amanda unintentionally comes up with rhyming phrases ("This is the very best day....Lollipop is coming to play"). The appealing watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations depict situations that will seem familiar to children. A comfortable, reassuring book for beginning readers.--Janet M. Bair, Trumbull Library, CT