Florentine and Pig

Gr 1–3—Florentine and her friend Pig decide that the weather has finally turned nice enough to have a picnic outdoors, and the pigtailed girl immediately gets to work on the menu. The final bill of fare includes apple and carrot muffins, rainbow sprinkle cookies, and homemade pink lemonade with berry ice cubes. However, because Pig ate the last apple at breakfast, they are missing a crucial ingredient. He spots three perfect apples high up in their apple tree and, after loading up with everything he thinks he'll need, including a wooden spoon and jam sandwich for a snack, he sets off to retrieve them. Climbing up to the top of the tree proves to be a difficult, but ultimately successful endeavor. With apples now in hand, the two pull together a delicious feast. Mikhail's illustrations are bright and charming, and have a bucolic and homey feel; they resemble somewhat lighter versions of Mary Engelbreit's works. Unfortunately, the book does not have much of a plot, making it a supplemental purchase.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA