Review by Booklist Review
Peggy the pigeon is very sorry about, well, pretty much everything. She'll throw out a sincere "sorry" to anyone she's accidentally inconvenienced, and a nearby seagull, Joan, can stand the profuse apologizing no longer--insisting that Peggy stop feeling unnecessarily remorseful for things that aren't her fault. Peggy apologetically (ha!) responds that she might not be able to stop herself, but Joan suggests that she simply say anything other than "sorry" in those situations. Buoyed by Joan's backing, Peggy confronts the original snippy birds by panic-yelling "PICKLED ONIONS" instead of her usual apology. The bewildered birds stop pestering Peggy, the emboldened pigeon starts substituting increasingly creative phrases for her urge to apologize, and Joan and Peggy bask in the pigeon's newfound confidence and their blossoming friendship. This boisterous British import encourages anxious young readers to take up space in the world unapologetically, and the hilarious substitutions ("SOGGY HAT SANDWICH!") make for prime read-aloud material. Equally entertaining illustrations wonderfully capture Peggy's emotional growth and uproarious outbursts. Delve into this sunny celebration of self-confidence--you won't be sorry.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A pigeon learns how to stand up for herself. Peggy the pigeon can't catch a break. No matter where she perches, someone objects to her presence and shoos her away. Peggy invariably apologizes and skedaddles, convinced she's done wrong. Then, Peggy meets a seagull named Joan, who explains that she's been watching Peggy and has carefully noted her ever contrite behavior. Joan points out that Peggy was victimized and further counsels her to stop saying "sorry" when she isn't wrong. Joan advises skeptical, shy Peggy to stand up for herself by saying anything other than "sorry" when unjustly picked on. This is good--and hilarious--advice, as Peggy turns out to be quite the wordsmith. Next day, Joan is at Peggy's side when the same bullies attempt to shoo her off "their" respective patches. Instead of saying "sorry," Peggy manages--with Joan's encouragement--to let rip blasts of nonsensical, uproarious comebacks that confuse and startle the bullies and send them packing. Readers will love this warm, funny, reassuring U.K. import about standing up to bullies and taking back one's own space. Uttering ridiculous, unexpected remarks--as Peggy does--actually isn't a bad way to completely disarm a tormentor. Kids will howl at Peggy's snappy retorts and will enjoy volunteering their own wildly silly phrases. The lively illustrations move the story along briskly; Peggy and Joan are feisty, well-realized characters. Humans are racially diverse. A sound lesson in empowerment and self-respect. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
