You're Doing THAT in the Talent Show?!

Contributors

By Lynn Plourde

Illustrated by Sue Cornelison

Cover design or artwork by Sue Cornelison

On Sale
Jan 4, 2017
Page Count
32 pages
ISBN-13
9781368004299

Penelope, the exuberant hippo, and Tiny, her cautious mouse friend, are back in the spotlight in this book about choosing the right time to shine.

When Penelope sees the poster announcing the upcoming school talent show, she can't wait to plan a spectacular act with her best friend, Tiny. Penelope has big ideas: Should they dance the ballet or the hula? Should they perform a scene from a play or be trapeze artists? "Oh, yes, yes!" But "Oh, no, no!" Tiny would rather just sing in the chorus. Finally, by supporting each other, the friends find the perfect way to be part of the show–and bring down the house.

  • PRAISE FOR BELLA'S FALL COAT

    "The mutual adoration between Bella and Grams is abundantly evident in the tender exchanges Plourde puts together, as well as in Gal's gauzy, multilayered images, which capture both Bella's near-inexhaustible energy and that of a woodland landscape in flux."
    Publishers Weekly
  • PRAISE FOR BELLA'S FALL COAT

    *"Plourde's lovely text about the ephemeral nature of objects and seasons-and the lasting love of family-is beautifully realized by Gal's expressive, digital collage illustrations. . . Adults may feel nostalgia over seasons past-and young readers will be introduced to the enticing lure of autumn and the joys of sharing it with someone they love."
    Kirkus (starred review)
  • PRAISE FOR YOU'RE DOING THAT IN THE TALENT SHOW?!

    "Cornelison's brightly colored cartoon illustrations capture the different personalities of the two friends right from the opening spread. . . Youngsters will enjoy chiming in on the repeated phrases and giggle at Penelope's over-the-top costumes. The addendum "Tips for a Spectacular Performance" is a helpful bonus. VERDICT A showstopper."
    School Library Journal
  • PRAISE FOR YOU'RE DOING THAT IN THE TALENT SHOW?!

    "With lively text and charming, vibrant cartoon illustrations, including ever-enthusiastic, colorfully clad Penelope and the more practical, low-key Tiny, this offers an entertaining, amusing read while insightfully portraying friendship's many facets, from appreciating differences to problem-solving disagreements to showing mutual support."
    Booklist
  • PRAISE FOR YOU'RE WEARING THAT TO SCHOOL?!

    "Penelope's avant-garde choices will certainly appeal to kids who think feather boas go with everything, while Tiny's concern is handled with tenderness and compassion-he really believes he's looking out for his friend. . .Clear writing, lively dialogue, and a solid story structure enhance this title's readaloud value as well. Cornelison's slightly soft-focus illustrations are strongly composed. . .Share this before or during the first day of school for an entertaining discussion prompt about individuality."
    Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
  • PRAISE FOR YOU'RE WEARING THAT TO SCHOOL?!

    * "A hippo with her own sense of style shows her 1-year-older, uptight, mouse best friend that it's important to be true to yourself. . .Plourde's dialogue includes lots of give-and-take between Penelope and Tiny, encouraging children to join in, and Cornelison's illustrations positively revel in Penelope's outr glee.
    Penelope joins the ranks of some other popular nonconformists, including Ian Falconer's Olivia, David Shannon's Camilla Cream and Victoria Jamieson's Bea."
    Kirkus (starred review)

Formats and Prices

Price

$16.99

Price

$21.99 CAD

Format

ebook

Format:

ebook $16.99 $21.99 CAD

Lynn Plourde

About the Author

Lynn Plourde is the author of If I Could Give You ChristmasIf You Were My Valentine, and many other children's books, including Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the RudWild ChildBella's Fall Coat, and Maxi's Secrets. She considers herself a "teaching author," because she makes so many visits to schools to teach kids how to become better writers. Lynn lives in Winthrop, Maine, in a house surrounded by woods. She invites you to visit her online at lynnplourde.com and on Twitter @lynnplourde.

Jennifer L. Meyer illustrates books for children, including If I Could Give You ChristmasIf You Were My Valentine, the Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet series, and The Biggest Little Farm: Saving Emma the Pig. Her artwork has won two awards from the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles and been featured in Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art. She lives in Georgia and invites you to visit her online at jennifer-meyer.com, on Twitter @jenniferlmeyer, or Instagram @jenniferl.meyer.

Learn more about this author