Pingo and the Playground Bully

Pingo #2

by Brandon Mull, Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)

Who has the best imaginary friend? Is it Gary, who protects the galaxy with Sparky the robot? Or Tiffany, who helps save the day with Awesome Girl? Or Dustin, who can hide Mr. Bob in his pocket? During recess, Chad and Pingo are invited to participate in the contest to see which imaginary friend is the smartest or the strongest or the sneakiest. But when Jeremy, the schoolyard bully, and his imaginary friend, Grunt, barge into the contest, demanding to be included, no one expects what happens next-or how Pingo saves the day.

Pingo and the Playground Bully is a delightful, full-color picture book about the power of kindness and the importance of including others. 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2012

About the author

BRANDON MULL is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife, Erlyn, their eleven children, and three mischievous cats. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.

Reviews

[American Mensa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pingo is a leprechaun who is made up by a kid named Chad. His classmates have other imaginary friends. They all go on adventures together. One of the kids, named Jeremy, has an imaginary friend named Grunt and they are bullies at first so the other kids have to hide from them. One day, the kids are trying to prove who the best imaginary friend is. To see who is best, they plan a competition. Pingo comes in second at every competition. Each of the other imaginary friends wins once. Then Grunt is upset that he wasn’t in the competition. So Pingo offers to have a competition the next week with Grunt. Pingo asks Jeremy and Grunt to join in a pretend adventure down the Amazon River. Jeremy and Grunt agree to play with the other kids and imaginary friends. They go get the supplies and join the others on an adventure! Everyone cheers for Pingo and say that he is the best. Pingo tells them that everyone is good at different things. He knows that it’s good to have fun on games instead of just trying to win. They were all best friends forever and went on lots of adventures together.

I give this book a four star rating. I loved the content and the message, but some of the pictures scared me. I do think that every kid should read this book because it teaches important lessons about friendship and sportsmanship. My favorite part was when Pingo tells all of the classmates that everyone is good at something different. It’s important for kids to know that so that they focus on the fun of the games they play since fun is all that matters when playing games. This book teaches that kids should be good friends to each other and not compare themselves to others.
Review by Hayden S., age 5, Southeast Michigan Mensa

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chad and his friends and their imaginary friends have adventures at recess every day at recess. One day they decide to have a competition to see whose imaginary friend is the best. Pingo is worried but says he will try his best. He comes in second in every contest. Then suddenly the biggest bully, Jeremy, and his imaginary friend launch an attack. Pingo offers friendship and is declared the best imaginary friend. "Thank you, but this is silly," Pingo said. "Nobody is the best. We're all good at different things. And that makes friendship fun."

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brandon Mull is big in middle grade fiction, but he has not made a clear path in picture book, and I can understand why. Pingo is an imaginary friend, and lots of 2nd graders have them. The kids and their friends want to figure out which is the best but Pingo keeps insisting that no one is the best and each is good at different things. I like the story and the illustrations but find it a tad long.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about imagination, inclusion, kindness, and how even though everyone is different, each have good qualitites.

[Charles Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to read that also covers bullying.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story to show children that we all have something to contribute and something we are good at

[Zahra tavakoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

عنوان فارسی: پینگو

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 3 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: پینگو

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very imaginative. Great message.

[Stanley Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and creative the illustrations are on point. Brandon Mull, and Brandon Dorman are excellent together.

[Crystal Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter how poorly someone treats you, never let anyone's hate rob you of compassion.
Chris Coulfer

What a wonderful book about being kind even when it's hard. Brandon Mull continues to share his heart with us all. The illustrations are just beautiful. Chef's kiss💋

[Ems Loves to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the simple, but important message here - so much of how we perceive things lies in how we react to them. This is one I'll read to my classes.

[Tirzah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pingo is back and this time, he must confront the bully and his mean imaginary friend! It is a good story to show children one healthy way to confront bullies. The illustrations and coloring are so vivid and fun. I like the first Pingo better; maybe because that is when we are first introduced to Pingo and get to know his sly side. It is still good to see his imaginative, kind side and I recommend this one. I am hoping Brandon & Brandon will continue making more.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of books being published about bullying and the effects of it. What I loved about this one is the imagination involved and the extra twist involving thinking one is better than someone else and how that can lead to a different kind of bullying, even among friends. Chad and his imaginary friend, Pingo, spend recess playing with their friends, Gary, Tiffany, and Dustin along with their imaginary friends. They avoid Jeremy though and his imaginary friend, Grunt, because he bullies them. One day though they get into a contest about which imaginary friend is better. I loved that Pingo points out that this is silly because each of them has things that they do especially well. I especially liked the fact that when Jeremy and Grunt step up to bully the kids and their friends, instead of fighting back or getting defensive, Pingo steps up and invites Jeremy and Grunt to play with them. In addition to liking the story line, I loved Brandon Dorman's illustrations, they are so bright and colorful and imaginative, they create a lot of things to talk about when sharing the book.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to review this new picture book from author Brandon Mull. This is his second book in this children's picture book series. I also was happy to have another book about being friends and not bullying. I teach second grade and this book is about second graders. The illustrations are so bright and colorful, done by Brandon Dorman. The story is so engaging as it starts by talking about the children and their imaginary friends playing on the playground. They are having fun until the playground bully threatens their fun. Then the story turns into a great lesson about kindness and how to include all children in their game. This is such a great message. Every day I hear about how someone was left out of a game and feelings were hurt. This is a story that will be read often in my classroom.
The publisher has kindly sent me a copy to give away to one of my readers. (USA only)http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot....

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enter to win a copy at http://littleredreads.blogspot.com

Chad and his imaginary friend Pingo are now in the second grade and things are heating up on the playground. It's a battle of the fittest, smartest and toughest imaginary friend--a competition to prove who is best. And poor Pingo keeps coming in second. He's not a fan of competition which only proves who is best at certain things. Plus the kids and their imaginaries have a problem on their hands with the bully Grunt and his keeper Jeremy.

Pingo steps in to save the day in his own unique way. I loved this book with its message on friendship and bullying. It is perfect for young children to learn how to act before they hit the second grade. It would be a wonderful read aloud in pre school-first grade. The illustrations are incredible! I loved book one and I'm a fan of book two. Once again five stars to Pingo.

[The Purple Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world where bullying never seems to end, books like Pingo and the Playground Bully can make a difference. The simple message it suggests shows all who read it a solution to the ever-present not-so-imaginary monster lurking in the shadows of our society.

The art, done by Brandon Dorman, is colorful, imaginative, and enticing. The coupling of the great message with uniquely expressive artwork makes for a delightful masterpiece of a children's book.

Pingo and the Playground Bully is a picture book, and, yes, it is directed at primary school-aged children, but I suggest it would make a difference at any age in any educational environment.

I recommend it to readers of all ages.


Disclosure: I was given one copy in exchange for this review, as well as one copy to give away to you!

[Dawn Sahakian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really address the issue of bullying well - as well, as the concept of feeling superior to others. The use of imaginary friends set it apart from other books in this text set and Pingo teaches all the kids a lesson, including Jeremy's imaginary friend, Grunt. Pingo reacts with kindness and warmth towards those who are bullying Chad and it really portrays a very strong example of how kids needs to learn to handle bullying situations. I loved the illustrations - they are bright, colorful, and most certainly would keep the reader's attention!

This book would be very useful at the beginning of the school year in order to promote a safe environment and allow children to discuss bullying in a positive environment.

[Stephanie T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pingo and the Playground Bully is a positive example of how imagination can be used to teach children about bullying and how to avoid it altogether. Chad and his imaginary friend Pingo as well as his other friends and their imaginary buddies are playing at recess when Bully Jeremy and his imaginary bully friend try to prove that they are better than the others. Chad uses his imagination and he and Pingo invite Jeremy and Grunt to play with them and take an adventure down the imaginary amazon river and the bullying situation disappears. The vivid illustrations and the imaginary twist will engage students and introduce them to the concept that sometimes bullying can be avoided if everyone is included.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a First Reads lucky winner! I received a free copy of Pingo and the Playground Bully. I can't wait to read it...Well when the book came I opened the package and the kids screamed "PINGO! we love Pingo!" I have to say I had never heard of the Pingo books, but my kids have read some and LOVED them! They wanted it read right then. So, with the UPS truck still in our driveway I sat on the porch and read them the book. It was very well written and I enjoyed it as much as the kids. I love when someone who is not the "winner" in the eyes of most outshines them! I can't wait to read the other Pingo books!

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chad has a wonderful imaginary friend named Pingo. In fact all of Chad's friends have an imaginary friend and together they have wonderful adventures.

Unfortunately, the playground bully also has an imaginary friend and they terrorize the others. When faced with an unfriendly situation, Pingo saves the day!

This book is well illustrated and full of imagination. I love that it deals with the problem of bullying. This book shows a non-confrontational way of dealing with the bully and would be a great opening to talking to younger children about what they can do when facing a bully.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pingo and Playground Bully is another fabulous story of Chad and his imaginary friend Pingo. Chad and Pingo have wonderful adventures with Gary, Tiffany, Dustin and their imaginary friends at recess until Jeremy, the playground bully, and Grunt, his imaginary friend put a damper on their fun. Pingo wields his creativity and imagination to show what true friendship is as he saves the day and his friends.

[Diane Holm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playground Challenges…

Our younger children and grandchildren are facing new conflicts everyday. Pingo is a fictionalized story that has been replayed time and time again in the real world.

Imaginary friends are just part of make believe, but competition to find out who is the “best” in certain areas happens all the time. Pingo combines the two into an enjoyable story with an honest look at feelings, friendship and fun.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of Mull's latest picture book illustrated by the talented Brandon Dorman and my kids loved it!
You know what? I loved it too, because there are several books out about bullying, but Brandon put a new spin on this age-old problem. PINGO helps even very young kids see how important it is to recognize talents and abilities in ALL of us and that we are all different and it's OKAY!
And I have to add that I love how Pingo looks a bit like Brandon Mull!

[Melodee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I was just expecting this to be a fun read aloud to my children, which it certainly is, but I was more suprized at the depth this book contains. It addresses themes of bullying, peer pressure, standing up for what you think, and friendship. But it's all done in a fun manner so the little readers will stay engrossed in the story. The artwork by Brandon Dorman is delightful as always. I love the expressions on the faces, it helps sell the emotions in the book.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful little story about "imaginary friends" with super-powers. Where was this last summer when I needed it for my "super-heroes" story time???? *Spoiler -- little Pingo comes in 2nd in all the competitions, but he's first at negotiation when a bully comes on board. A little lesson in diffusion and inclusion served up with rollicking illustrations. Do I see a movie in my crystal ball?

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't even get into "OMG such a great lesson about bullying!" because of THIS:



Wait, what's that? Let's zoom in, shall we?



OH OKAY.

Racism is LEARNED. I'm getting this book as far away from my kids as possible. A special side eye goes out to all those who think this shit is cute.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chad is playing with his friends... and all of the imaginary friends have joined in.
They are having wonderful adventures until the bully... and his imaginary friend... threaten to destroy all of them!
Chad, in his wisdom, simply invites the bully to join them... instead of fight them.
Love and Kindness conquer all!
And they continue to forge the wild imaginations of children...

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first Pingo book and I think I liked this one a bit better. Actually, my co-worker said she like the first one better...isn't opinions interesting. I like the idea of imaginary friends and having a contest with imaginary friends...but how does anyone else see you imaginary friend. It also touches on how to make bullies into friends which is always good!

[Elizabeth S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. The pictures are absolutely amazing and beautiful. The art really makes the kids' rich imaginations come to life.

I also love the plot. As you would expect, we learn about how to deal with a playground bully. But we also learn about not needing competitions between friends. Well done!