Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3^-5. This sweet story, reminiscent of an earlier time, introduces Little Whistle, a guinea pig and the only living thing in the toy store. Each night, when the owner goes home, Little Whistle wakes up, puts on his blue peacoat (given to him by a wooden sailor), and begins his evening. He visits with his friends, watches the doll that eats cookies and the stuffed rabbit that runs, and there's always a tea party going on. It would be hard to find illustrations better suited to the text than Bowers'. There's a hint of Norman Rockwell in his expertly executed art, but children will simply enjoy looking at all the toys, which seem so tantalizingly real. The weak link in the book is that nothing really happens. The flap copy indicates this is to be a series, so one hopes that Whistle and the gang will start having a few adventures. Tea parties will take them only so far. --Ilene Cooper
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The title character of this inaugural volume in a new series set in Toytown exerts a great deal of visual charm. Like Paddington, Bowers's (Sometimes I Wonder If Poodles Like Noodles) hero sports a blue coat and an irresistible hat, and will likely appeal to any child looking for a furry friend. The story, however, is old-fashioned and a bit staid. Although Little Whistle is a "real" guinea pig who lives in a cage in a toy store, Rylant (Mr. Putter and Tabby) uses the old toys-who-come-alive-at-night scenario to create his companions. Much of the virtually plotless tale serves to introduce characters that will appear in subsequent books: "There was Lion, who loved vanilla cookies.... There was Rabbit, who always wanted to run.... There was Bear, who liked hats," etc. Somewhat treacly observations dot the narrative ("Toytown was the sweetest and kindest place in the world for a small guinea pig to live"; Whistle doesn't mind when his friends are purchased, because he knows that "toys love being sold to children who care for them"), but perhaps the plot will thicken in subsequent episodes. In the meantime, Bowers's illustrations are refreshingly lighthearted and full of character, and his toys hark back to an era of handcrafting and imaginative play. The diminutive Little Whistle will endear himself to readers, whether he is blowing a trumpet or reading a book, and his black, shiny eyes look ever ready for a new adventure. Ages 3-7. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-This first offering in a new series introduces a guinea pig that lives in a toy store. During the day, he sleeps in his cage. At night, however, when Toytown is closed, Little Whistle ventures out and looks for adventure. When no one is around, all of the toys come to life and have a wonderful time. The guinea pig doesn't mind when any of his friends are sold, because he knows that they love to be taken home by children. This book has a nostalgic ambience. In the store, there are dolls having a tea party, marbles, jacks, checkers, stuffed animals, wooden toys, but nothing electronic and certainly no Barbie. The language also has an old-fashioned quality: "-it made a very dashing wardrobe!" The artwork, oil paint on canvas, is outstanding. The use of color and shadow brings the toys to life and the pictures reinforce the old-time feeling. Each toy is unique and expressive and Little Whistle is chubby and cuddly. The story is sweet but rather uneventful.-Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Every night after the shades are pulled, Toytown comes alive and Little Whistle, the toy-store guinea pig, goes on an adventure. Rylant creates a charming environment for this debonair little rodent in his blue pea jacket, but the story feels like an introduction since his adventures are only hinted at, not detailed. The appealing, realistic illustrations give Little Whistle lots of personality. From HORN BOOK Fall 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
