School Library Journal Starred Review (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

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

ALA Booklist (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

At the public library where he volunteers, a bashful young pig named Poindexter bonds with an equally shy turtle, Shelby, while helping him find a book on how to make friends. Since Shelby is not accomplished at reading, Poindexter reads through the book with him and discusses each of the four steps in making friends. After selecting a book on how to read to stuffed animals, the two go to Poindexter's house to read to their collection of animal toys. Although there is not much intrigue here, the bibliotherapy certainly doesn't overwhelm the sweet story, moving the plot along without getting in the way. The pleasing lightly colored cartoon-style illustrations depict a comfortable library setting filled with a multispecies cast of animals. The pig librarian (whose look borders on frumpy) fits nicely into the inviting scenes. Of the many titles on bashfulness, Daniel Kirk's Library Mouse: A Friend's Tale (2009) and Anna Alter's Disappearing Desmond (2010) are two that feature similar situations.

Horn Book (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

Following the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill, eleven-year-old aspiring ornithologist and "bird artist" Bouler created paintings in exchange for donations to the clean-up effort. Here she shares her love of birding, her own conservation efforts, and ways for others to take action. Though content is a little sparse, the book's message and design--including impressive original sketches--will successfully reach young environmentalists. Websites.

Kirkus Reviews

Poindexter is a pig with a problem: He is shy. Cartoonlike illustrations show this earnest hero alternately hiding and playing alone, a bit lonely but still independent. Various animals from the neighborhood would like to be his friend, but Poindexter only watches through his window as they pass by, excusing himself when they ask him to join them. Mostly Poindexter stays safely ensconced in his room, reading stories to his stuffed animals, or enjoying himself in the library, reading alone or helping out the librarian. One day, a frightened turtle named Shelby ventures into the library, and the librarian encourages Poindexter to help him find a book on how to make friends. Together, the two read the book and follow its rules by smiling, introducing themselves, sharing and being nice to each other. They are even able to use their new skills to help another library patron. By the end, Shelby has come out of his shell both figuratively and literally, and the two make plans to meet the next day and read a book together on a common interest (stuffed animals). The brief, straightforward text is well matched to the expansive, gently funny illustrations. A sweet story with a satisfying ending, this provides some concrete ideas that can help a child make friends and may draw the shyest youngsters out from under their shells. (Picture book. 3-6)