Phil Pickle

by Kenny Herzog

Phil Pickle lived in a pickle jar and was meant to share the same fate as all the other pickles he lived with -- next to a burger and fries on a plate. But Phil Pickle is like no other pickle you've ever He's got big dreams and big-time aspirations of becoming an actor! Will Phil become the next big dill?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Food, Adventure

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 28, 2016

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike the other residents of the pickle jar, Phil had a dream.


And, by golly, he goes out, and pursues that dream . . . by auditioning for a part in a laundry detergent commercial.

Will Phil make it big, or will he end up next to a deli sandwich on a plate?

You'll relish this dilly of a tale with happy illustrations by Kelly Canby.

[Jsmith42harding.Edu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phil Pickle is a nice, silly, whimsical book about a pickle who has big dreams of being a star one day. Despite what the other pickles in the jar keep telling him, phil sets out to follow his dreams by auditioning for a commercial. What he doesn't know is that he will be auditioning against some of the worlds most renowned actors! What happens to Phil and his fate? does he become a star? or just another dill pickle in the pickle jar?

This was a nice, fun book to read. I enjoyed experiencing the excitement the future and different experiences through Phil.

In the classroom, this book could be used to teach children to ALWAYS pursue their dreams no matter who discourages them.

[Lauren Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a pickle named Phil who had higher expectations for himself than just being a pickle in a jar. He wanted to be an actor, but no one believed in his dreams. He ended up going to an audition, but the director did not seem interested. Phil went back home to his jar sad and upset with himself, until his manager comes by with some good news. I really thought this book was hilarious and if you want to find out the good news then you should read this book! It was so fun and shows you that you should never give up on your dreams no matter how crazy they may seem. I would use this in my classroom as a book for fun reading time.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked that this book taught the lesson of being a supportive friend, but I didn't like that it was about becoming an actor, because I think that's a terrible choice of employment. Those people get paid to pretend to be someone else. Everyone knows who they are, so they're popular, but that doesn't make them good people. I think a lot of them really don't have any morals and just go along with whatever politics are acceptable at the time. So I don't think a children's book should be encouraging children to become actors. Because those people are morally bankrupt lemmings.

[Holly Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

a pickle wishes to follow his dreams. His dream however is to be an actor! he wants to be famous so he auditions for a role, he tries to think positively about the fact that he is a pickle, find out whether he gets the part or not! I loved this book, it is extremely creative and cleverly written. I would suggest this book to any parent or teacher. This book will make kids laugh while teaching them the importance of believing in yourself and following your dreams.

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pickles are people too. Some pickles don't care to be squished in a jar or sliced in a sandwich. Some pickles have dreams. Some pickles (especially ones named Phil) have plans for stardom! But even pickles have to work hard to make their dreams come true. And sometimes, pickles feel overlooked, forgotten, and stuck on the shelf. He conquers his fears and keeps working until he nearly gives up hope, resigning himself to life in a jar. It's a good thing Phil isn't a sour pickle, because he's about to find out that hard work pays off.

A pickle, a dream, and a lot of ambition make this delightful picture book a fresh feast for children and their parents. With Kelly Canby's sketchy and expressive illustrations, you really can't go wrong with this one. I loved every page and every word of Phil Pickle. I read it several times to my kids (and a few times without them) and I love the way Phil dares to dream. He ignores everyone that tells him he can't do it and pushes forward until he reaches his goal. I especially like the way things don't work out for him immediately. He has to keep working until he's ready to give up before he catches a break.

This is a fantastic book for kids that have big dreams and lots of ambition. It's also good for anyone that likes pickles on their sandwiches.

Thank you to Peter Pauper Press for sending me a galley in exchange for an honest review.

My blog: Batch of Books

[Linda Sweitzer]

Phil Pickle, like all of us, has a dream, a dream to become an actor. But everyone associated with him doubts that he can fulfill his dream because, well, Phil IS a pickle. But Phil believes that just because he is a pickle, who happens to live in a pickle jar in a store’s condiment aisle, does not mean he cannot aspire to something more. He refuses to give in to the idea that he and his kind are only meant for one thing, consumption. So, to take that first step in fulfilling his dream of becoming the first pickle thespian, he heads out to an audition for a detergent commercial, listening to negativity and disbelief from his associates as he leaves. In comical fashion for children, Herzog reminds us that anyone can go after a dream, that we are not preordained to a certain life, and that one inspiration can lead to another.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introducing... Phil Pickle, the pickle with acting ambitions. Phil's agent sends him on an audition which he's certain he won't get because his favorite actor from Miami Heat Wave is up for the same part. But surprise, Phil breaks the mold and becomes the first acting pickle opening the way for future pickles everywhere!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cute - adults (like me) will probably overthink this one a little too much, but kids are much better about just rolling with it. I like the emphasis at the end about being inspiring/being inspired and at least trying to do what you really want to do.

(But if the kosher pickle has his peyot, why doesn't he wear a hat??)

[Haaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in the book.

The story was so silly! Who would have thought a pickle would leave the store and his jar to go to an audition and then return to his jar afterwards.

Yum. lol

Still, I suppose the point can be that even if everyone says you're just a pickle and will only ever be a pickle- you should always go for your dreams.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, I guess!

[Maryanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute - kind of silly - story about a pickle who wants to be an actor. Would be fun for older elementary school kids.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Phil Pickles wants to be an actor. Will he be successful at the audition?

[Alexa L]

Cute story about being whoever you want to be

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cute, and not just because I love pickles. ;)

[Claudia]

This book is about a pickle who dreams of being more than a glorified condiment, he wants to be an actor. He auditions for a commercial despite the doubts of the other pickles. When he gets there he is feeling bad about himself and thinks he won't get it. He reads the script the best he can and hopes for the best. Later, his agent comes and tells him the news of the commercial audition.
This book was so cute!! The pickle was such a cute character and it had such a positive message. The other pickles were inspired by Phil because he went out and made something of himself. Also, it was written in a unique way so it wasn't just a bunch of words on a page, it was unique fonts and ways to write it.
This book would be a good book to have in your classroom. I think kids would find it hilarious. You could have them do an activity about what they want to be when they grow up and have this book accompany it.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phil Pickle is about a pickle who dreams of becoming an actor rather than a condiment. He finally gets an audition for a laundry detergent commercial, but every other pickle in the jars at the grocery store doubt him. Will he get the part?

I had never read this book before, but it may be one of my favorite children’s books now. I loved the pickle related jokes that were thrown in, and I loved the message behind the story.

I would give this book to a reluctant reader because it’s funny and the pictures make the book very interesting.