  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 08/01/2016 PreS-Gr 2—Edward is a young pig who likes a well-ordered life. While it might be satisfying to be so darn neat, it also poses some challenges. Edward can't pet a dog or eat any food that splatters, and school contains a whole host of horrors, with messy art projects and untidy outdoor activities. One fateful day, an entire shelf of art supplies falls, and Edward is bathed in a glorious and colorful mess. His initial anxiety quickly dissipates as he discovers the intrinsic joy of creating without worrying. Soon he is taking part in exploding science experiments, petting dogs, and slurping a very messy plate of spaghetti. The charming tale ends with Edward taking a bath and looking quite content. The text is matched perfectly by Stern's illustrations, which portray the fastidious lifestyle of Edward with precision and detail and then give way to utter abandon. The wonderful spread depicting a muddy and messy baseball game, with Edward sliding into second base, confirms his transformation. VERDICT This debut title is a delightful tale and a storytime winner. Pair it with Karen Beaumont's I Ain't Gonna Paint No More to help children embrace the messier side of life.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 08/01/2016 Edward, “a very particular pig,” likes his surroundings as neat and clean as his person. He tidies his bedroom and irons his clothes before school each morning. He avoids friendly dogs, messy foods, and art supplies. When the baking soda volcano erupts at the front of science class, Edward can be found sitting in the back. Kids are playing baseball on a muddy field at recess? Look for him in the stands. But when he starts straightening the supply shelf during art, he’s soon drenched in dripping paint. Instead of a meltdown, Edward has a breakthrough and begins to enjoy participating more than looking on at life. In her first picture book, children's librarian Meade lets Edward decide matters for himself, while the story makes its point with economy and gentle humor. The lively colored-pencil artwork portrays the “particular pig” with precision and fashions the chaos around him with gusto. Drawn with layered strokes of color, the illustrations are vibrant and full of interesting details. Fun for reading aloud to neat and scruffy kids alike. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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