That's my book! and other stories by Salina Yoon

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Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781619638914
(Age:5-7) Recommended. Three short stories in one feature Big Duck, quiet and clever Little Duck, and friendly and gentle Porcupine, making this a very good book for the reader who is just transitioning from picture books to chapter books. Readers familiar with other books by Salina Yoon (especially those books featuring Penguin, Penguin and Pinecone, Penguin's big adventure etc.) will welcome a longer book that has the same brightly coloured pages and funny characters as their favourites.
There are three disparate stories in this book, the first That's my book, is very funny as it describes the boredom of Porcupine, and Big Duck while Little Duck is happily engrossed in a book and is surrounded by lots of other books that he can read if he gets bored. Big Duck and Porcupine borrow some books but find lots of different ways to use them - a stage for singing, playing book dominoes, and for improving posture - but finally open one up and discover the joy of reading.
In Let's have a talent show Big Duck shows off her many talents but Porcupine is not successful until he makes a big and beautiful stage for Big Duck, showing that he does have a wonderful talent.
Dress-like-a-pirate Day is the funniest of the three stories and will have children laughing out loud as Big Duck thinks that Little Duck's eye patch covers an injury and Little Duck's only replies to her questions is 'Arrr!'
There are many humorous happenings in this book, some misunderstandings and wishes, but the three friends manage to work out everything and have lots of fun.
Pat Pledger

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