A Pipkin of Pepper by Helen Cooper

 

  Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–The trio from Pumpkin Soup (Farrar, 1999) is back again in another gentle tale of friendship and lessons learned. Once again, the animals are concocting their favorite brew of pumpkin soup when they realize that they've run out of salt. Cat announces that he's going shopping when directionally challenged, but headstrong little Duck insists on accompanying him. Cat relents only after Duck promises to hold on tight to avoid getting lost. A concerned Squirrel decides to bring up the rear on the trip to the city. With his friends on either side, Duck spies a pepper shop and decides that the flavoring would be a delicious addition to their soup. Squirrel begs to differ and he and Cat steam off in the direction of the salt shop, unknowingly leaving their distracted friend behind. Reminiscent of the panic of any youngster left alone in unfamiliar territory, Duck, in a terrible tizzy, becomes even more lost. A true-to-life, predictable resolution ensues although heightened by an overblown response by the police and fire departments. Readers will be reassured by this beguiling rendition of a common childhood experience. The rich coloration and expressive representations of the characters raise this story above the ordinary.
Purchase this companion book where its predecessor is popular.–Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA 

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Like its predecessor, this companion to Cooper's Pumpkin Soup (1997) offers folksy paintings in spice-cabinet colors and a text that sparkles brightest when read aloud. Duck, Cat, and Squirrel visit town to purchase salt for their trademark pumpkin soup. Duck, the smallest of the trio, "had a habit of wandering off," and it's not long before an enticing window display of peppers catches his attention and he loses his friends in the crowd. A concerned mother hen leads panicky Duck back to the point of separation, while the others retrace their steps to enfold their missing friend in a warm embrace. Some adults may be troubled by Duck's ready acceptance of help from a stranger who is not a police officer, but little listeners will pay less attention to plot specifics than to Cooper's dramatic narrative and warm, dreamlike watercolors. An attractive choice for autumnal story hours and for discussions of personal safety. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.