For the picture book world, it’s been a very sad week with the deaths of Anna Dewdney and of Deirdre Sheridan Englehart.
Enzo wondered how Ms. Dewdney’s books will be finished. I told him we need to read all of her books again and again!
I thought I had already posted about this book. Apparently, not. So, here’s an official post for PPBF.
Title: Roly Poly Pangolin
Author and Illustrator: Anna Dewdney
Viking, 2010
Themes/Topics: Pangolins, Fear, Friendship
Opening: Roly Poly, very small,
doesn’t like new things at all.
Brief Synopsis: (from author and illustrator’s website) —
Roly Poly, very small, doesn’t like new things at all.
Meet Roly Poly Pangolin’s little pangolin who’d rather stick close to his mama instead of facing anything unfamiliar. Whether it’s a line of ants, a friendly monkey, or a loud noise, Roly Poly runs the other way. Then he hears something that really scares him. So he does what all pangolins do when they’re frightened: he rolls up into a tiny ball. But Roly Poly is surprised when he finally peeks out, because another ball is peeking back…it’s a small pangolin just like him!
Resources: In obituaries that circulated after her death, Ms. Dewdney asked people to read a book to a child. As a tribute to her, I believe that’s a great activity.
Why I Like this Book: Enzo and I were introduced to this book at a neighborhood story time. Everyone brought a book to share. I can’t recall the book we dropped off. Enzo picked up Roly Poly Pangolin. I loved it from the first spread.
Don’t wait! Go read a book to a child. Do it for the writers who have left us, for the writers still sharing stories with us, and for the children, who enjoy a stories. Have a wonderful weekend!
For more PPBF books, check out the list over at the incredible Susanna Hill’s website.
Yes, Stacy, we have mourned two wonderful kid lit authors this week. I had a personal connection with Deirdre.
Many, have had a book connection with Anna. Her legacy will live on. Thanks for introducing me to Roly Poly Pangolin. I need to read it!
I know. I met Deirdre at WOW 2015. She was very kind.
I expect many reviews today for Anna Dewdney books. Her legacy will live on. And I love her request to parents to read to their kids in her honor. I haven’t seen this book and it sounds like a sweet book about dealing with fear and making new friends.
I believe the book may be out of print as Amazon has some pricey versions available from third party sellers. Hopefully, your library will have it.
A timely and terrific review to mark a sad occasion indeed.
Love titles that introduce unfamiliar animals in ways that will interest little readers.
It is a sad time with the death of two wonderful people 🙁 I’ve known Deirdre for several years and I’m still trying to wrap my mind around her passing. Thank you, Stacy, for posting about these two lovely ladies. I appreciate your calling my attention to Anna’s Roly Poly Pangolin. I’ve got some reading to do.
A wonderful book to read, or reread, to a child. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, it is extremely sad. I personally knew Deirdre and was in her Wow! 10 Critique Group. What a bright light in the KidLit world. We can all carry the torch for both. What a fabulous idea to read a book to a child in their honor. I’d never heard of a pandolin! Just goes to show. . .there’s always something to inspire us in our journey! 😊
Dear Stacy…you have found the perfect way to honor Anna…and when we read to a child, we are honoring his developing mind.
Like Jarm, I had never heard of a pandolin…what a wonderful story!
Oh my! I have never heard of a pangolin. Now I have. A beautiful idea to post this in commemoration of the death of two lovely authors. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for this, and reminding us that our words matter. We will not forget these two ladies who brought such life and light into our world!
I’ve read her llama books. This one sounds wonderful! Thanks for putting it in the spotlight, Stacy!
I am so glad you chose one of Anna’s books to honor her life and her desire for us to read to children. What a sweet tale.
I thought I had read all of Anna’s books… but not this. Thanks for sharing it, and remembering her wonderful life and gift of language to children.
Anna Dewdney will certainly be missed. Thanks for featuring Roly Poly Pangolin for PPBF. I read it a few years ago. I didn’t sleep with it like Enzo did, but I certainly hugged it.
All the customers are so sad when I tell them, though so many had heard and bought up every book we had on the shelf.