Watch Me Throw the Ball!

Well, here we are. Mo Willems. Three Elephant and Piggie books nominated for Cybils. What can I say? I mean, have you ever seen a bad review of Mo Willems? I didn't think so. And this first one here, Are You Ready to Play Outside? Geisel winner. I may not pay much attention to Newberys and stuff like that, but Geisels never go on our shelves....because they're always checked out. Well, I will try.

Just in case you thought Elephant was always uptight and Piggie was always flexible and fun....here's Piggie in a rage because of the rain while Elephant knows just how to adapt. Lovely clean lines, humor in each little squiggly eyebrow, and spot-on child voices.

Now in this story, Piggie is ready to teach Elephant a new skill. Elephant is not show more sure this is a good idea; but he's willing to try. And try. And try. Until it just doesn't work! Or does it?

Um...I need to say something else. Let's see.....well, on top of recommending Elephant and Piggie to rabid comic fans who want to start their kids out early, kids who want funny easy readers, kids who love Mo Willems picturebooks, parents who love Mo Willem's picturebooks....Elephant and Piggie make great duologues! They're my go-to books when teachers or kids need something simple that two kids can do. The dialogue is all there - all you need to add is expression!

Ah, now my favorite. Still my favorite despite having read it twenty or more times at my summer reading promotions last May. I have the whole thing memorized. I can do it in my sleep. Funny voices and all. That delicious moment when the ball plops and the kids shriek with laughter...beautiful. Just beautiful.

Verdict: Haven't read Elephant and Piggie? Your life is a barren waste and verging on pointless. These are the rare easy readers that aren't just for beginning readers, they're perfect for all ages. Read them aloud as picturebooks, hand them to an older child on a bad day, use them in your high school theater class, or curl up with a big stack to relax and recapture the wonder, despair, and hilarity of childhood.

Watch me throw the ball!
ISBN: 978-1423113485; Published March 2009 by Hyperion; Review copy provided by the publisher for Cybils

Are you ready to play outside?
ISBN: 978-1423113478; Published October 2008 by Hyperion; Review copy provided by the publisher for Cybils

Elephants cannot dance!
ISBN: 978-1423114109; Published June 2009 by Hyperion; Review copy provided by the publisher for Cybils show less

These Elephant and Piggie books are so much fun. In "Watch Me Throw the Ball!" Piggie finds Gerald's ball and is really impressed by how far he can throw it. Gerald lets her join in the fun, but infers that there's a secret to throwing REALLY far. Piggie, of course, insists that the key is to have fun... and that is the message of this cute story.

Piggie takes her shot and my kids -- who are 7 and 9 and who ought to be too old for these books -- thought the results were hysterical. (Okay, I thought it was amusing too. Says something about Mo Willems that he has fans of all ages.)

This one has a message about the value of fun and just-trying, and like all of Mo's work, it's a great read-aloud and primer. (AR folks say it's at the 1st Grade show more Reading Level)

Pam T~
mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews show less

This is cute in its way but too stripped down--Piggie is Dharma and Gerald is Greg, the end. Some of the others, like I'm a Frog, take on the same dynamic with a lot more psychological complexity.

There aren't many easy reader series out there that are as funny as the Elephant and Piggy books. These have very simple illustrations and a lot of very emotional turns of phrase, so hopefully you can start from the beginning keeping kids from developing that awful droning readaloud voice so many children have.

Piggie catches a ball and wants to throw it. NATURALLY, Gerald takes everything too seriously, talking about how long it takes to learn to throw a ball. Piggie throws it... AROUND THE WORLD! (Actually, just behind her.)

And Gerald learns that the important thing is having fun, the obvious moral.

Best moment: Gotta be Piggie's absurd little Super Pig song when she thinks (or pretends) she threw the ball around the world.

“Watch me throw the ball” is a book in the series of Piggie and Elephant similar to other books in the series it's appeal is providing two dynamic protagonists who reflect two opposing personality types. Piggie is the more adventurous while Elephant is more serious, I think is a great dynamic in children’s books and provides the reader with a opportunity to explore different personality types without judgment as both characters are presented equally fair and the dialogue is very sharp and witty. I see how this would appeal to a young audience.

Yes, five stars - they resonate with me, make me think and laugh, and are a hit with everyone I share them with.

In this one Piggie's facial expression is so aggressive it's almost demonic. But ya gotta love her ebullient effervescent exuberance.

Gerald shows Piggie that he has a ball and wants to teach him how to throw the ball, however, Piggie is set on just going. He thinks he throws the ball very far, however, in reality, it falls shortly behind him. Gerald gets frustrated with Piggie and shows him that he failed to throw the ball far and Piggie simply responds that it doesn't matter because he still has fun. I think this is a great book to incorporate with young children because it shows them that it is okay if you don't get something right away, and that if you have fun and keep practicing that's what will matter most and make it worthwhile.