Do you worry? Or - as I prefer to think of it -- are you someone who over thinks things? I am definitely one of those people. And the pandemic brought out the absolute worst of my worrying. But like Pig,  I have learned that everyone worries about things. And that friends and family can be very helpful in taming worries. Both of these books talk about worry and being afraid. And they are both wonderful.

What If, Pig? by Linzie Hunter

 published June 8, 2021

Pig is kind and caring and generous. He loves his friends so much - he decides to throw them a big party. Plans are made; invitations are sent; party goods purchased - BUT pig has a problem. He is a worrier. A "porky panicker" (I love that description!). And he lets his worries and fears overtake him. He is so worried that things won't be perfect - he runs and hides. Fortunately, Pig's friend Mouse is there to intervene. And with the help of friend Mouse (and other friends) Pig's joy is restored. He learns that everyone has fears, worries, and anxieties - and that he is not alone.

As this books demonstrates - everyone has worries - even our smallest and youngest friends. This book helps address those worries and find positive ways to help manage them.  

I don't think pigs in real life are worriers but there are a few memorable ones in literature! Pooh's dear friend, Piglet, is a bit of a worrier though more so in the Disney version than Milne's books. Wilbur, in Charlotte's Web, is definitely a worrier though, truth be told, he does have a few things to worry about. But one pig that is not much of a worrier?  Mercy Watson, created by Kate DiCamillo. 

Which brings us to...

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key 

by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Chris Van Dusen; 

published June 8, 2021. 

Tales from Deckawoo Drive #6

If you know me a tiny bit, you should know that I am a big fan of Kate DiCamillo. I love everything she writes and her latest installment from Deckawoo Drive (hint - Mercy Watson lives on Deckawoo Drive!) is no exception! A marvel! And - a bit of a mystery. 

Franklin Endicott is a worrier. In fact, he has a notebook where he records all of his worries. But then - he begins to have nightmares about these worrisome things. After researching nightmares, he thinks, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone sit at the foot of your bed and eat your nightmares?". Wouldn't it? He borrows Mercy to see if she will eat his nightmares but you can imagine how that worked! 

Frank is good friends with Miss Eugenia Lincoln. He peruses her encyclopedias and shares warm milk with her on sleepless nights. One day, he accompanies her to Buddy Lamp's Used Goods store to have a key duplicated. A sign in the store window says KEYS MADE, SAWS SHARPENED, MYSTERIES CONSIDERED, USED ITEMS BOUGHT AND SOLD. This is how Kate DiCamillo describes Buddy Lamp - "He looked like someone made from a piece of paper that had been folded over and over again until it was creased and worn." Can't you just picture that! (If not, Chris Van Dusen's excellent illustrations will help!) On the way home, Frank discovers a mysterious third key has been included in the small envelop containing the original key and its duplicate. And thus the story unfolds - where did the key come from and what is its significance? A true mystery - and a bit worrisome! Can Frank discover where the missing key came from? And its purpose? Maybe.

Near the end of the story, we find Frank drinking hot milk with Miss Eugenia and "Frank thought how mysterious the world was, how unexplainable and sometimes frightening. But to sit in the kitchen and read to someone he loved and to push back the darkness with a story -- that was a wonderful thing." And this book is a wonderful thing. Be sure to share it with someone you love and push back the darkness in your own world. 

This book can be read on so many levels! In it, Kate introduces the reader to a collection of short stories which includes "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry; "The Door in the Wall" by H. G. Wells; and "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes. You don't necessarily have to read them. And not every child that reads the book will be ready to read them. But they are marvelous stories, just like this book.

As for Frank's worries - with the help of his friends, Frank is able to turn his list of worries into a list of marvels. And that, my friends, is a fine thing indeed.