This line captures the essence of having a sibling. The younger always wants to be with and do everything like the older. However, sometimes the older does not want the constant shadowing of the younger. This is the story of Flip and Flop by Dawn Apperley. For the most part Flip and Flop, two young penguins get along just fine, and even play a made up game, "boomba," together. But when Flip's friend Hip wants to play, Flop gets rejected.
"Flop felt sad. He shuffled away.
Flop waddled ans shuffled, shuffled and waddled, up and down, around and around, in and out....until he had wandered far, far away from Flip" (pp. 13-15). Flop's sadness is nearly overwhelming, especially when combined with the illustrations of little Flop, head down with a trail of waddling feet behind him. Right when things get to their worst, Flop makes a new friend who will play games with him.
It's unbelievable how easily this book toyed with my emotions. When Flop was sad, I was sad. When Flop met his new friend Hop, I was excited for them. I think the illustrations played a major role in this phenomenon. Although quite simple drawings and paintings, they portray all that they need to portray, including strong emotions on the face of a little penguin, not an easy task. The coloring and shading in this book is beautifully done and although just backgrounds, adds a lot to the feel of the book.
Flip and Flop is definitely a preschool to primary grade book, given its very simple wording and topic, but that does not mean that it is not entertaining and valuable. I think it could very easily lend itself to a good discussion on sibling relationships and building new friendships. Apperley has several other books (http://dawnapperley.com/books/books.htm) also geared at the pre-school and lower elementary level.
How could a book about little penguins with such cute, witty names not be good?! I think I could have benefitted from a book like this when I was younger because, like Flip, I was the older sibling who rarely thought twice about ditching my younger sister for a new friend.
ReplyDeleteLove the language examples you cited and the way these words flow and roll out. What a terrific read-aloud! Little jealousies and rivalries are supremely significant to our ego-centric littlest ones. "Flip and Flop" must be a terrific resource for many a family and classroom. As a non-artist, I am always struck by an illustrator's ability to portray emotions on animal or inanimate characters. How do they do it? What elements are they emphasizing? Eyebrows? Forehead? Or is it just in the eyes and mouth? True skills...
ReplyDeleteOmg. I want to find this book and buy it. This is definitely me and Ariel. It was a major thing for me, having her always around. She was my best friend and still my little sister and so it was a very hard balance when other friends came into the picture. But this seems like a good book that could address these isseus. As well, I LOVE PENGUINS.
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