Small Talk

by Jan Pieńkowski

A simple event relayed by a big striped cat gets twisted into something quitedifferent when a crossbill, bulldog, duck, and hippo gossip about it. Bright, bold illustrations and imaginative paper engineering bring this tale to life.Ages 4-8.

Genres: Fantasy, Picture Books, Childrens

10 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 1983

About the author

Jan Michel Pieńkowski is a Polish-born British illustrator and author of children's books. He is probably best known for his Meg and Mog books with writer Helen Nicoll and for his pop-up books, including Haunted House (winner of the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal), Robot, Dinner Time, Good Night and seventeen others.

Pieńkowski illustrated his first book at the age of eight, as a present for his father. During World War II, Pieńkowski's family moved about Europe, finally settling in Herefordshire, England in 1946. He attended the Cardinal Vaughan School in London, and later read English and Classics at King's College, Cambridge.

After leaving university Pieńkowski founded the Gallery Five greeting cards company. He began illustrating children's books in his spare time, but soon found the work taking over all his time. He began working with children's author Joan Aiken in 1968; he later won the first of two Kate Greenaway Medals in 1972 for his illustrations for Aiken's The Kingdom Under the Sea.

Pieńkowski has had a life-long interest in stage design. He was commissioned to provide designs for Theatre de Complicite, Beauty and the Beast for the Royal Ballet, and Sleeping Beauty at Disneyland Paris.

In 2005 Pienkowski contracted a civil partnership with David Walser, with whom he has been in a relationship for over forty years.

Pienkowski suffers from bipolar disorder.

Reviews

[Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the updated version of my absolute favorite book from childhood, Gossip. I was so excited when I found it, and Jeremiah genuinely enjoyed reading it with me as we made the animals talk.

Much like me, I don't think he understood the moral of the story, which is that the telephone game always makes things seem worse than they are. Realizing that early saves a lot of grief later on...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an odd book, but I have always loved pop up books. I think they are so fun and they can help children gain a deeper interest in reading and creativity. I remember trying to make pop up cards as a kid because I thought they were just fascinating. This is a story about how rumors spread and you can't believe everything that you hear. The illustrations are bold and bright and really catch your eyes. The pop up mechanics are very clever and I think it is a fun book for all ages. The only concern I have with this book is that with most pop ups, they do not last very long.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was baby sitting the other night, the girl I was baby sitting is 1.5 years old. She loves book and it was time to sit in the rocker and fall asleep. I asked her what book she wanted to read. She picked this book. This book was a cute book and it grabbed my attention. The book is about how one animal, a cat, starts a rumor about some mysterious creature being on top of the roof and they don't know what it could be. Then as the other animals such as a crossbill, bulldog, duck, and hippo talk about the mysterious creature, it gets blown out of proportion. The animals is big and green and has nasty teeth. In the end, that is not what it is. This book uses very good illustrations, uses pop outs of the animals mouths with paper (which kept the girl's attention the most!) and I wanted to keep reading it to see what the animal in the end was!
Also, this book would be a great book for the Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade student. The reason I say this is because it teaches them a little lesson about gossiping and spreading rumors at an young age. It shows them that passing information from one person to the next is not the best route and will not always be true. In the end, it could end up hurting someone's feelings.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these little pop-ups. I remember this one from my childhood. I only wish pop-ups weren't so prone to rips and so difficult to repair.

(My used copy has written in it: To Jamie from Nannie Rae and Cute Poppa. 5/1/94.)

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly long shelf life; from board book age to first grade.

[Wayne Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is the perfect length to keep a two year old entertained.

[Alissa Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

These series are really cute and good books to have for inside a classroom or at home.

[Don Gubler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun pop-up book.