Review by Booklist Review
Beach fun and an exciting water rescue will draw children to this bright picture book, as will the elemental theme of overcoming scary scenarios. Along with his baby brother, Dink, piglet Fergus likes to collect the treasures that the waves leave on the sand. But Fergus is always scared of . lurking murky ickines. in the water, and the pictures, in acrylics and colored pencil, show the scowling, neon-colored big-toothed monsters he imagines in the deep. When a big surfboard washes ashore, it becomes the star of the boys' collection a pet of sorts that they name Dave. Then Dink thinks Dave wants to return to sea, and after he frees the board into the waves, Fergus swims out to save their pet. The exciting pictures show Fergus clinging to the board in the huge waves and then he surfs. Young kids will enjoy the triumphant turnaround even as they recognize the truth of how hard it is to face fears.--Rochman, Haze. Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Fergus and his baby brother, Dink, are two piggy beachcombers looking for treasure in this story about overcoming one's fears-even if accidentally. The plot begins with the pigs afraid to venture out into the water. Fergus is convinced "There was a lurking, murky ickiness" out there, which Satler depicts as an array of spiky cartoon creatures-a green fish with vampire fangs, a froggy creature with an antenna and huge teeth, etc. So, instead, the brothers amass a treasure trove on dry land, including seaweed, a "pebble that looked like an eyeball," and best of all, a surfboard that they christen Dave. Sattler's whimsical acrylics and colored pencil illustrations adeptly show Fergus's horror when Dave floats out to sea. As Fergus forgets his fear as he attempts to save their new friend, he inadvertently discovers how to surf. The story meanders a bit as it makes its way to its triumphant finale, but Sattler (Chick 'n' Pug) offers visual gags aplenty and an evocative beachside setting that makes it clear that while the ocean can be scary, it's also pretty tubular. Ages 3-6. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Surf's up! Pig Fergus and his baby brother, Dink, spend their time beachcombing for treasures-and, in Fergus's case, avoiding the "lurking, murky ickiness" of the water. When they discover an unclaimed surfboard, the siblings give it a face and name it "Dave." But when Fergus goes off to get ice cream, Dink decides that Dave needs to be wild and free and tosses it back into the sea. In an effort to save the board, Fergus plunges headlong into the water, swims out to it, and climbs on-just as a huge wave launches them back toward the beach. In the satisfying conclusion, the triumphant pigs continue their treasure hunting as newly minted and obviously happy surfers. The big-eyed, big-eared porkers, one in a loud Hawaiian shirt and the other in his dinky diaper, carry the story along against the sand and sea backdrops. The full-color acrylic and colored pencil illustrations have a sketchy, active feel that bounces merrily along and keeps the focus squarely on the expressive porcine pair. Children will appreciate the imaginative play that the pigs engage in as well as cheer when Fergus overcomes his fear to become the Pig Kahuna.-Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2011. 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
When a surfboard washes up on the beach, pig brothers Fergus and Dink name it Dave and incorporate it into their sand play. After tenderhearted Dink sets Dave free in the ocean, Fergus must face his fear: "the lurking, murky ickiness factor of the water." Sattler's acrylic and colored-pencil art makes this humorous story about dealing with outsize fears even funnier--and surprisingly touching. (c) Copyright 2011. 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.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
(Picture book. 4-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
