The Pipsqueak

by Ben Manley, Andrew Gardner (Illustrator)

Overview

You don't need super powers to be a hero...or to make enemies into friends.

In Hero's gang, everyone has a special skill. Well, everybody but Pip. Pip isn't strong, he can't run fast or make himself invisible. He might not have any amazing talents, but when bully Solo invades their spot, Pip shows the gang that you just need guts to be a hero.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781839131004
Publisher:	Andersen Press, Limited
Publication date:	01/05/2023
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.88(w) x 10.24(h) x 0.28(d)

About the Author

Ben Manley is a writer and designer. His writing is full of humor and heart with a touch of the gothic – as weird and wonderful as an atticful of vampire hamsters. He also works as a digital copywriter and web designer. Ben lives in England with his wife and two children.

Andrew Gardner worked as a designer and art director for more than a decade before he decided to pursue his passion for illustration and storytelling. He often finds ideas and influence from Japanese culture and art, as he once lived in Osaka, Japan. Now, he lives in London with his girlfriend and her many plants.

Editorial Reviews

"This story is a must-read for educators to use in talking with kids about how jealousy can lead to poor behavior but making friends or joining a group can help alleviate feelings of loneliness. A good selection for a preschool or elementary classroom or library. Reviewer Rating: 4" —Children's Literature

From the Publisher

2023-02-08
The seemingly weakest member of a group of friends solves a bullying problem.

The opening double-page spread shows a racially diverse array of cartoonish characters with large, round heads; round, opaque, black eyes; and frowning eyebrows. Each character’s name is listed. Narrator Hero, who presents as Black, states, “This is our gang. This is our spot. And we like it a lot. So hands off!” As Hero introduces each gang member and their particular skills—other than light-skinned Pip, who has no discernible talent—gentle humor comes through. For example, tan-skinned Thunderbolt—dressed appropriately in cheetah-print clothing—is so quick that “even her watch is fast.” The only person faster than Thunderbolt—and, indeed, superior to everyone else—is nonmember Solo. The light-skinned, freckled girl, who, we learn from Hero, once “squished” Pip and took his yo-yo, overpowers each club member until Pip not only speaks truth to power, but eventually leads the others to accept lonely Solo’s membership. The humor is enjoyable, and Pip’s cleverness will inspire little ones, though the story seems to have a bit of dissonance; while it encourages children to be bold, caring, and inclusive, the beginning and ending show the club members looking a bit menacing, as though discouraging outsiders from joining. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A fun underdog story for readers intrepid enough to join this merry band of kids. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews