Amanda Pig on Her Own (Oliver and Amanda Pig) - Hardcover

Jean Van Leeuwen is the author of more than fifty children's books, including picture books, Easy-to-Read books, and middle-grade fiction. Ms. Van Leeuwen now lives in another small town north of New York City with her husband, Bruce Gavril. She has two grown children, David and Elizabeth, and a young grandchild, who will surely inspire more stories. 

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- When Oliver Pig goes off on the school bus, Amanda Pig is on her own for the first time. She is at a loss without him until loving Mother Pig reminds her that "you always have yourself" and "without him you can do things that just you like to do." Soon Amanda is ballet-dancing in her dress-up costume and is on to other independent activities. Oliver Pig is in kindergarten and off to a fine start. Four short chapters focus on his adventures as he leaves his loving family and enters the unknown world of the classroom, and Van Leeuwen is right on target in her descriptions of his nervousness. Making (and eating) his Puff-Doodle necklace is great fun, but dealing with bad boy Bernard is not so easy. Oliver perseveres, and by day's end he and Bernard are friends. Young listeners will sympathize with the characters, and independent readers will recall their younger days. As always, Schweninger uses warm colored pencils and soft watercolor washes that complement the soothing tone of the thoughtful texts. These are fine books for children to share with their parents or visa versa. --Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
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