Review - Ming and Her Poppy

Ming and Her Poppy
by Deirdre Sullivan
illustrated by Maja Löfdahl
Date: 2017
Publisher: Sky Pony
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

The stunning companion story to Ming Goes to School.

Ming and Poppy’s journey takes them over sidewalk cracks and dancing shadows, past honking horns and crowded crosswalks. They greet old friends and make new ones, while sharing stories, secrets, and the sting of painful words.

And sometimes, a sweet treat, too.

In this companion story to Ming Goes to School, Deirdre Sullivan’s gentle text paired with Maja Löfdahl’s soft, rich water color illustrations explores the special bond between family members as Poppy and Ming slow down and appreciate life’s simple moments.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Wow. I don't think I've ever disliked a sequel as much as I liked the first book! This one just doesn't have the same magic as Ming Goes to School. The illustrations aren't as engaging (or as cute), and the writing is all over the place. It's too pretentious (this book seems more like it was written for adults), and it resorts to using apostrophes to make plurals, which pretty much knocked a star off for me. I hate seeing incorrect punctuation and grammar in children's books.

I'm disappointed. While Ming Goes to School was a beautiful little picture book about embracing new experiences, Ming and Her Poppy is just a boring "journey" of a grandfather picking up a kid from preschool with lots of pretty words thrown in to make it seem deep.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - Ming Goes to School

Ming Goes to School
by Deirdre Sullivan
illustrated by Maja Löfdahl
Date: 2016
Publisher: Sky Pony
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Ming goes to school, where she learns to say hello and good-bye. She meets new friends and introduces them to old friends (including her favorite teddy). She builds sandcastles and makes snow angels; she traces, glitters, and glues. She is so fearless that when held at sword point, she even walks the plank! And when she’s playing in the mud, she reaches out and touches the worms with her bare hands. But despite those brave deeds, she isn’t quite ready for the big red slide—not yet.

This is a very sweet story with soft, evocative watercolor illustrations that will help kids to grow comfortable with the idea of starting preschool. Ming is curious and playful and ready for adventure, but even she gets scared of new things sometimes. Kids will relate to her desires and fears and will be excited to see Ming at the top of the slide by the story’s end.

A quiet and reassuring picture book for preschoolers (3-5), this is a wonderful going-to-school story that can be read both at home and in the classroom or childcare center. The illustrations provide a lot of diversity of characters, making this feel like any classroom in any school in the country.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a sweetly illustrated little book, perfect for kids who might be about to start preschool.

I have to say, I was kind of envious of Ming. Her school is like a kids' paradise, where they're allowed to play, squirm, and be creative all day long. They even get to take naps! (That's something most schools--and workplaces--are missing: naps.)

The illustrations are really cute, and there's plenty of diversity among the children depicted on the pages. It's lovely to see kids just getting to be kids, without big dilemmas or issues with adults. This would be a reassuring book for kids who might not know what to expect when they're about to head off to their first day of preschool.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5