Review - Pugtato Finds a Thing

Pugtato Finds a Thing
by Sophie Corrigan
Date: 2020
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

When Pugtato’s simple, quiet life is disrupted after he digs up a strange object in his garden, he enlists his best “spuddies” to help (they are more clever than he is, after all). Tweetroot is certain it’s a new egg for her nest. Tomatoad is quite sure it’s a toy just for him. And Purrsnip simply won’t stop scratching it! Luckily, Pugtato has another very special spuddy to ask …

(synopsis from Goodreads)

A fun, trippy romp through the garden, Pugtato Finds a Thing is the story of a pug-shaped potato who finds a mysterious Thing in the dirt. He asks all his friends what they think the Thing might be, only to be presented with a number of answers... none of which feel quite right. It takes a trip to the wisest creature in the garden before Pugtato manages to figure out what his beloved Thing is.

This is pretty imaginative. The garden is populated by a number of creative creatures, who are all hybrids of vegetables and animals. There's the titular Pugtato, of course, but there's also Tweetroot, Tomatoad, Carrat, and the piggish Brussels Snouts (among others). The whole story is told in rhyme; although it's a little clunky in places, it works overall.

Kids (and parents) will find a lot to giggle over and smile at here. The sweet ending wraps up the story nicely. Overall, I'd recommend this one to readers with a sense of humour who enjoy puns and a little bit of fantasy with their veggies.

Quotable moment:

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5