Cornbread & Poppy at the Carnival

Cornbread & Poppy #2

by Matthew Cordell

The second entry in Caldecott medalist Matthew Cordell's early reader series about two best friends who are as different from each other as can be.

Poppy LOVES scary movies. Cornbread does not. Poppy ADORES runny cheese. Cornbread does not. Poppy can't WAIT to try a roller coaster. Cornbread...can. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when the Carnival rolls into town, Cornbread agrees to check it out. Their day promises to include fun games, yummy snacks, and big, big rides. What new things will these mice try? Celebrating both partnership and the value of what makes us individuals, young readers will find this classic odd couple irresistible as they encounter relatable issues with humor and heart. 

Publishing simultaneously in hardcover and paperback.

Genres: Friendship, Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Fiction, Chapter Books, Fantasy

80 pages, Hardcover

Published May 3, 2022

About the author

Matthew Cordell is the acclaimed author and illustrator of the 2018 Caldecott winner Wolf in the Snow. He is also the author and illustrator of Trouble Gum and the illustrator of If the S in Moose Comes Loose, Toot Toot Zoom!, Mighty Casey, Righty and Lefty, and Toby and the Snowflakes, which was written by his wife. Matthew lives in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife, writer Julie Halpern, and their daughter, Romy.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Cornbread was hungry. His best friend, Poppy, was eleven minutes late for lunch. "Cornbread, I have the best news!" said Poppy, finally arriving at his door. Cornbread loved Poppy, but he always worried when she had "the best news." "Come in, Poppy," Cornbread said. "The last time you had the best news, we saw that terrible movie you wanted to see. I had nightmares for a week." Cornbread was afraid of monsters. "The time before that when you had the best news we ate that terrible runny cheese you wanted to eat. It upset my stomach for hours." Cornbread was afraid of runny cheese. "And the time before that when you had the best news, we explored the old Crawdad Caverns...and I fainted." Cornbread was afraid of the dark.

Premise/plot: Cornbread and Poppy are best, best, best, BEST FRIENDS. But the two are VERY different from one another. This book is about Poppy's BEST IDEA EVER which is for the two of them to go to the carnival together. The two have many adventures (and perhaps a misadventure) at the carnival....the day will be memorable!

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED this early chapter book. I loved Poppy. I loved Cornbread. I am so glad these two have each other. (Yes, I know they are fictional.) I identify strongly with Cornbread!!! I definitely recommend this series.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all of my favorite things: best friends, a carnival, carnival rides, and cheese. 10/10 would recommend.

[Amy Pickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cautious Cornbread and fearless Poppy are back for another round of adventures! This time, the carnival is in town and Poppy can’t wait to bring her very best friend to the big event. Cornbread loves the fritters and ring toss. The rides? No, thank you. The friends compromise by riding the Ferris Wheel, but one of them turns out to be afraid of heights (and it isn’t Cornbread). Luckily, good friends will always look out for each other and these two are no exception! This adorable early reader is worth re-reading to catch all the details within Matthew Cordell’s pen & ink / watercolor illustrations.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our mice friends are back and this time they're ready to go to a carnival but sometimes that means concessions for the other person who might not enjoy vomiting after a crazy ride or the specific food from the vendor. Cornbread and Poppy is a three-chapter adventure for the two of them when they learn to compromise for each other and stay friends even when one might be angry or pout but they only have their best interests at heart.

[BookTrib.com]

Perfect for young readers ready to move beyond picture books. Readers will learn to empathize with their friends and to say no when something is too terrifying.

Read BookTrib's Full Review

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cornbread and Poppy get into a major fight, and I LOVE IT. I love that there is conflict in a children's book, because real friends get into at least one fight. I also love that their personalities are so different, but that they are still able to be friends and cheer one another on. There is SO MUCH GOOD in this series. I never want it to end.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My favorite part was when the wore seatbelts and went of the Ferris wheel”. Another favorite for my 3 year old (clearly she likes most books we read)

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having grown up with the annual fireman’s carnival this easy reader title was a delight to read. The memory or riding the Ferris wheel and seeing our small community was just like the description in this title. Poppy and Cornbread represent the best in friends, friends who remain loyal to each other even though they have different likes. Great read and I am looking forward to #3 in this series.

[StoryTimeReadAloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my very favorite early chapter books are Frog and Toad, Little Bear, and George and Martha. I love, love, love the views of friendship those stories show. Well, I have a new one to add to that category. Poppy and Cornbread are mice who are friends. There are 3 chapters in the book that explore the friendship the mice have. Chapter 1 has Poppy all excited to share some news and Cornbread a little concerned that Poppy's exciting things are often too much for him. Poppy reminds Cornbread that she will be his protector (such a cute chapter!). Chapter 2, the friends go to the circus. Some things that Poppy thought she'd excel at don't work out how she expected. But Cornbread finds things he enjoys and gets to be Poppy's protector for a moment too, in a nice reversal of their roles. Chapter 3, the mice find a peanut and fight about it--even though they are friends.
I love how their friendship is so well faceted that they aren't the same, that they have disagreements, and that they are great friends to each other allowing each other to be different from one another and allowing their experiences to reflect that.

Love, love, love.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was delightful to first meet Cornbread & Poppy, fast friends who were first introduced early this year. We learned how friends can be close and still disagree, still not be exactly the same. This time, with Cordell's ability to tell a story for young readers with just the right amount of detail and tension, Poppy comes by for lunch with Cornbread with the "best" of news. A carnival is in town. Cornbread has no idea what that is but tells Poppy that some of her other "best" ideas haven't been so great, like the 'terrible runny cheese'. Well, despite some skepticism, he is convinced to give the Carnival a try. They try some games and Cornbread wins a prize; Poppy isn't so pleased. They try some fritters; Cornbread loves this new food! Rides like "the Nauseator" or "The Brain Tweaker" are rejected by Cornbread but both get on the Ferris wheel. There are surprises, an argument about a peanut, and finally, they do show that they are really, down-deep, best friends. You'll love the fun of the surprises that I have not shared! Now I can't wait for number three!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a beginning chapter book, may I recommend Cornbread & Poppy? They are best friends - they have things in common and things that are very different. Poppy is an adventurer. She likes scary movies and exploring new places. Cornbread is a bit more fearful of new adventures but is willing to take a chance on some things if Poppy is with him. And they both love to eat!
This second installment finds us attending the town carnival with our friends. They discover lots of new things, learn that even Poppy is afraid of something, and witness that even best friends sometimes disagree - especially when they are tired and hungry.
I can't wait to see where Poppy and Cornbread go in Book #3! But for now, I want an apple fritter! And maybe a trip to the fair.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy always has great ideas and Cornbread is sometimes scared and reluctant; however, Poppy coaxes Cornbread to the town carnival, where it turns out that he has a great time and she is scared of heights on the Ferris wheel! A sweet little story about how friends can support each other and have good times together. Preceded by Cornbread & Poppy and followed by Cornbread & Poppy at the Museum.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's fiction, first chapter book. Cornbread and Poppy are two very different mice but are the best of friends. In the first book we read about how Cornbread stocked up for the winter and Poppy wanted to play all fall. In this book Poppy is excite to find out there's a carnival in town. Cornbread is hesitant, making it very clear he doesn't want to go zooming on any rides. So they go to the carnival, eat, play games, and finally find a ride that Cornbread can handle. A cute little friendship story, broken down into three chapters. The illustrations are done in pen and ink with watercolor and they remind me of the books I read as a child.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ada, my five year old granddaughter, and I were delighted by this book. The sweetness, combined with the humour are certain to please all readers.
We learn that Cornbread is full of anxiety about all kinds of things, but that Poppy is always there for him. When Poppy convinces Cornbread to go to the carnival with her, the roles end up being reversed. They are having a wonderful time until the two friends get into a huge argument over a peanut.
If the first in the series had been available as an ebook from the library, we would have proceeded to read it.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cornbread and Poppy couldn’t be more opposite. While Poppy is adventurous, Cornbread is more of a home body. Poppy is always convincing Cornbread to do things that Cornbread ends up regretting. But at least Poppy is around to help Cornbread through things.

So when Poppy shows up with “the best news ever,” Cornbread is skeptical. This time the news is that the Carnival is in town. Cornbread is worried, but agrees to go with Poppy. This time, it turns out, there is something that Poppy is afraid of and Cornbread has to help her through it.

Good friendship story for early readers.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this new series of beginner reader books about a pair of odd couple mice, Cornbread and Poppy. The illustrations are cute, the dialog is simple but not boring, and the lessons are there without being over the top. I actually enjoyed reading this to my five-year-old and he could totally relate to the conflict over the peanut. A great new series (this is the second book but you don't have to start with first) reminiscent of Frog and Toad.

[Riana (RianaInTheStacks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very reminiscent to me of the Frog and Toad books, which is why I picked it up! The artwork has a similar style with more colors added and there is a similar storyline of two friends exploring the world together and, simultaneously, their friendship. It was very good, the illustrations are fantastic, very whimsical with a vintage feel to them. The characters cornbread and poppy are adorable and I love how well they foil each other. Also, I love a good story about mice <3.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Cornbread & Poppy hit! The two friends have different tastes and different tolerances for, among other things, runny cheese, bats, and carnival rides. This last will put their friendship to the test, but not as much as a dropped peanut that they both want. Nothing like a big fight to keep a book from being too sweety-sweet. How I adore these characters and the author's illustrations. Love the mix of friendship, adventure, and good food.

[Karen Duvall · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first grader and I loved reading this collection of carnival tales. It reminded me of Frog and Toad stories, though these stories are best read from the start to finish, almost like a chapter book.

Fun plots and illustrations with everyday ways to show how to be that best friend in any circumstance.

This was the first one we could get as our public library had others on hold. Can't wait to read more of thier adventures.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another delightful and charming beginner chapter book, with two friends representing spontaneity and caution. And yet the impulsive one is scared of heights and the hesitant one loves ferris wheels. And they support each other all the way.

The fight at the end over a peanut seemed uncharacteristic, but was fun to draw and resolved with a good sight gag. I suspect kids won't have the same narrative concerns I had for it.

[Cheryl]

Recommended for 'humor' theme. Not much funnier than the average 'mismatched friends' leveled reader, but charming nonetheless. One thing different is that the animals are both their animal selves and people simultaneously somehow. I really like the illustrations, especially the one when Cornbread discovers the deliciousness of an apple fritter. I will continue reading the series because I appreciate the heartwarming effect.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, charming follow-up to Cornbread & Poppy. For any and all who've adored the Frog & Toad stories or the many assorted adventures of Willems' Elephant & Piggie. Two anthropomorphized friends testing the boundaries of their friendship is all I ever need in an early reader, personally speaking.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Cornbread and Poppy. This is their second adventure and it’s so fun to see their personalities really come out in this one. Poppy wants to go to the town carnival. Cornbread, ever the careful one, isn’t so sure. But Poppy convinces him. Will they have fun or will the whole thing be a dud? Find out!

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Days 47-48

Similar to Frog and Toad, Elephant and Piggy. :)

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nervous Cornbread and adventurous Poppy are back in another story. Poppy wants Cornbread to go with her to the carnival, but Cornbread is skeptical after some disastrous trips to a scary movie, a gross cheese restaurant, and caverns, but they do end up going together. It works out until the Ferris wheel. A cute summer adventure story in the vein of Frog & Toad.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this early chapter book, mouse friends Cornbread and Poppy go on an adventure to the carnival, which is full of fun and surprises--made all the more special because they are spending the time together.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming story about two friends with varying interests. Although they don't like the same things, they're very supportive of one another. And the one who is scared of everything isn't scared of heights. Gentle in tone.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Cornbread & Poppy series; these two mouse friends spend a day at the carnival. It’s a wonderful follow-up book for these two friends. It’s also a wonderful beginning chapter series to recommend to readers seeking to make a small jump into chapter books.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daring Poppy and reticent Cornbread go to the carnival to indulge in fair food, and ride the (tamer) rides. They get into a fight over a found peanut, but manage to reach an amicable solution. Another cute collection of tales that revolve around friendship.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than the first one. Two friends with different opinions and wants, that work at their friendship together even when they both love peanuts and think they deserve it al to themselves. A story about friendship, encouraging each other, figuring out how to share and take turns.

[Teresa Granado-Law]

Cornbread made lunch right before going to the Carnival? Ok, he was not lying - he's never been to a carnival before!
Thank you so much for writing they were "waiting in line" -- lately I've seen so many books say "waiting on line" and that "on" is so new to me and I'm in my 50s