Pee-Wee's Tale

Park Pals Adventures #1

by Johanna Hurwitz, Patience Brewster (Illustrations)

A guinea pig in Central Park? PeeWee, once a boy's dear pet, has been secretly released into the wilds of Central Park. But instead of relishing his freedom, PeeWee is at first a stranger in a strange land--until he meets Lexi, a city-wise squirrel who gives his new stubby-tailed friend some tips as well as some confidence. A series of eye-opening adventures—from the search for PeeWee's former owner to his discovery of the power of reading—turns a timid rodent into an endearing hero that will leave Hurwitz fans cheering for more.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Friendship, Fantasy, Adventure

96 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2000

About the author

Johanna Hurwitz is an American author of more than sixty children's books. She has sold millions of books in many different languages.

Reviews

[Neda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read a very good book called "Peewee's Tale." This story is about a hamster named Peewee who was born in a pet shop and eventually learned how to read. He was adopted by a child named Robbie. Even though Robbie always wanted a dog, he got his dream of getting at least some sort of pet. One night, when Robbie was out with his friends, something tragic happened. Robbie's parents disliked Peewee so they went and released Peewee into the park. At first, Peewee was frightened, but with the help of his animal friends and his reading skills, he was able to not only get used to living in the park, but he was also able to save his new friends with his amazing ability to read. After that, Peewee had many adventures in the park including getting caught by a hawk. How scary is that? He eventually got himself free but it was pretty scary when he was trapped. That is the fantastic story of Peewee. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes reading fiction, and feel-good stories. Also, I would recommend this book to anybody who really likes animals. I really liked this book because it teaches about how powerful reading can be and how it can even save people, (or animals) :)))

[Alice Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun.

[Kathy Maggiacomo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a guinea pig, Pee Wee and his life in the pet store and then as the pet for Robbie. Robbie had wanted a dog but was really happy with Pee Wee but Robbie's mother did not like having a rodent in the house so she planned to get rid of him while Robbie was at a sleepover. Meanwhile, Pee Wee meets Lexi the squirrel in Central Park. They become friends and he gives him many helpful tips to survive. Pee Wee makes many friends and his mother had been in a classroom as a pet so she taught him to read. I like how reading gave him the ability to help save his friend when he read the paper about a new playground being built and 8 trees would need to be removed. Reading is also used as a fun thing for all the animals of the park and they look forward to him reading aloud. All the animals are on the look out for Robbie and when they find him, Pee Wee realizes that he is happy with his new dog and doesn't need him any more. He hasn't forgotten him though which makes him happy to hear. Some may like the happy ending that Robbie has what he wanted and the mother has what she wanted and the guinea pig now has freedom and friends- happy ending.
I personally have a problem that it gives irresponsible parents the message that it's ok to abandon a pet in the wild if you don't choose to care for it anymore and that it will be happy. No way, in real life Pee Wee would be some creatures dinner or squished. Not to mention NY in winter if the poor thing survived that long. A parent could read this book and then tell their child I'm sure ____(fill in their pet name) is fine and happy now just like Pee Wee. Sorry but that bothered me.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tale told by a guinea pig who is given as a birthday gift by an uncle to his nephew. His sister, the mom of the boy, does not like rodents and so Pee Wee gets "put out" while the boy is at a sleepover. Pretty creepy, if you ask me, but Pee Wee is befriended by a squirrel in Central Park and all is well. A few twists and turns, surprises and fun make it a quick read that animal lovers will enjoy.

[MarnieTheBookWorm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly was browsing through my 4th grades class tiny library corner and stumbled upon this book. I loved the cover so much that I chose to take this book home to read. I absolutely loved the story and thought it was fantastic! I remember loving it so much that I stole this book and never returned it to my 4th grade class.

I still have this book with me to this day. Never going to part with it. <3

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adding this to my list of sweet, accessible books for grades 2-4. Pee Wee, a pet guinea pig, is let go in the park by a boy's parents who are not fans of rodents, and he is all alone for the first time. Adventures, finding friends, helping others and subtle, deeper messages abound in this book. I can already think of three kids I will recommend this to when we get back from winter break.

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter gives this story 5-stars! Although we are still upset that Robbie’s mom would even suggest dumping the guinea pig in Central Park and that the father went ahead and did it! We had a long discussion about people making bad decisions and that you don’t have to carry them out. And what else could they have done with the guinea pig? Bring back to store, find a new hone, animal shelter...

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I always thought reading would be fun. But I didn't get any pleasure from reading that newspaper. Half of it was filled with words that held no meaning whatsoever. And the other half had bad news that upset me."

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pee-Wee's Tale" and the second book, "Pee-Wee & Plush" are really adorable and I think your reader will enjoy them. Not only are the stories cute but the illustrations are fantastic as well.

Found in L4M YT Volume 19.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pee-Wee's Tale" and the second book, "Pee-Wee & Plush" are really adorable and I think your reader will enjoy them. Not only are the stories cute but the illustrations are fantastic as well.

Found in L4M YT Volume 19.

[Jen Traub · Rating 3 out of 5]

Building my small friend repertoire... this was just ok.

[Kay Mcaloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book for my second grade advanced reading group. I think they will have a good time talking about Pee Wee’s adventure in the park.

[Andrus Boys]

This was an adorable story about a Guinea pig that reads and his friendships. It was an enjoyable read aloud.

[Beline Xu · Rating 4 out of 5]

ik haatte dat de jongen zijn hamster precies compleet was vergeten op het einde :( fuck hem

[Shea Cirbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was the first chapter book I got from the library and I read it five times as a kid. I still talk about how cute and how much I loved this book.

[C&C Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

IF YOU LIKED THIS TRY...

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very cute but I'm not sure the author really knows what a guinea pig is. She refers to him running in his wheel like a hamster but this activity can injure guinea pigs. She also has him talk about his stubby tail and carry food in his cheeks. All of these are hamster traits, not guinea pig traits. Once I got beyond the errors with guinea pig vs. hamster though, this book was a fun quick read.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

PeeWee the guinea pig is abandoned in Central Park after his wner's mother insists he can't stay. PeeWee gradually makes friends with a squirrel and other animals and learns to live on his own. Adults may wonder what will happen to PeeWee when winter comes, but that isn't addressed in this book and most children won't think about it unless they read it in January. 2nd or 3rd grade level.

[Chyna Roger]

I liked this book because it makes me feel like I am in a animal's place and how they feel when their owners give them away. This book reminds me of when I went to went to the Elmwood Zoo and there was an alligator there that the owner just threw in a lake that was for people to swim in and one person got in the pond to swim and they found the alligator.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pee-Wee is a literate young guinea pig, who, unwanted by his dog-wishing boy, is released into New York City's Central Park by the boy's father. Bookish Pee-Wee meets Lexi, a street-smart squirrel, and learns to survive and thrive in Manhattan's largest urban park.

A cute chapter book for transitional readers.

More anthropomorphized rodents in children's book.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hated it when the dad dumped the guinea pig in Central Park when the child wasn't home, but it is key to the rest of the series. It is a great early chapter book for readers who love animals and want a tinge of danger and suspense, not to mention a happy ending, even if it isn't that happy ending we are expecting.

[Heidi Weinmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a warm, sweet, engaging tale written from Pee Wee the guinea pig's point of view. Children will be charmed by Pee Wee and will relate to his fears, challenges, and eventual coming to terms with his new situation.

[Zannatul Orin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the part when pee-wee found lexi and got to tell her the bad news ,and tell her to stay away from dangers because a new playground was going to be built in the central park. people's going to cut down trees and it might be lexi's tree too.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were CUTE! I liked them because I have piggies.

1.PeeWee's Tale
2.Lexi's Tale
3.PeeWee and Plush

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good!

[♥κДτϊε βэαη♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the cutest book ever!

[Enrique (Tyron Biggums ) Calderongarcia (Biggums)]

I read this book when i was a small boy

[Mas5thgrade2011 · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is funny

[Courtney Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was in fourth grade. This story was wonderfully written and makes me want to take tiny books to the pets stores for the animals. :D

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was probably the most cutest story I have ever read... once again, a guinea pig