Review: That'll Do, Pippin! by Anne Kaufmann

THAT'LL DO, PIPPIN! 
by Anne Kaufmann
Brownridge Publishing
Pages: 68

Children’s Picture Book

Pippin and Nigel are two charming puppy brothers who live on a wonderful farm. They are best buddies and do everything together. They are full of mischief, energy and fun! Pippin is the smaller puppy who wants with all his heart to be like his brother Nigel. Nigel is brave. Nigel is strong. Nigel is smart. One day, the puppies escape from their yard into the woods where they experience many adventures. Nigel is always there to help and protect Pippin. Then Pippin solves a dangerous problem all by himself and learns that it is okay just to be Pippin.

This story teaches young children the importance of believing in themselves and that they each have their own wonderful gifts and abilities.

 

 

MY TIDBITS

Dog fans (and who doesn't like dog stories?) will enjoy Pippin's adventures as he learns more about himself and how to find courage.

Pippin and his best friend/brother, Nigel, are left on the farm alone while the family is underway. The two dogs gets along well but are opposites in so many ways. While Nigel is playful and spontaneous, Pippin is quieter and more careful. When the two go out on an adventure, especially Pippin learns something unexpected.

Pippin is a sweet dog and Nigel grabs the heart. Young readers will enjoy their antics, worries, problems, desires and fun as they hit the world from a dog's perspective. The tale flows nicely and makes a wonderful bedtime read as well as a tale beginning readers, who are a little more sure of themselves, can hit on their own. The illustrations are lovingly done and fit very well with the tale. Add excitement and a wonderful lesson about learning to step passed fears to pursue a dream, and it's a cute tale young listeners and readers are sure to enjoy.

Pippin had a wish. He wanted to be like Nigel. Nigel was brave. Nigel was strong. Nigel was smart. Everyone admired Nigel.

 

Anne Kaufmann is both the illustrator and author of the Pippin and Nigel adventure series for young children. She is the also the author of “Glenn Gould: Sketches of Solitude.” Anne is a former teacher librarian. She studied English Literature at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Toronto. Her passions include music, books, animals and creating nature journals. She has shared her life with dogs, horses, cats and birds.A nature lover, she spends many hours exploring the forests north of her home and walking her dogs, Indy, Maya and Pippin. She loves spending time with her horse, Aria. Some of her favourite childhood memories include summers at her cottage on Lake Simcoe, settling back on the family couch reading while listening to her dad’s weekly String Quartet group, playing with her dogs and wishing for a horse. She is currently working on the third book of the Pippin and Nigel Adventure series and  a historical fiction novel on the great Canadian horse and Kentucky Derby winner, Northern Dancer. She lives in Ontario, Canada.