PEGGY'S IMPOSSIBLE TALE

A seemingly ordinary guinea pig becomes extraordinary through the nurturing love of the family who adopts her.

It’s not often that you get to read a guinea pig’s autobiography. Especially one with ambitions to be not only seen, but heard. When a young girl named Lisa adopts the narrator and names her Peggy, it is understood not only that Lisa believes in Peggy, but that Peggy recognizes Lisa as special as well. Soon Peggy and Lisa take turns listening to each other, sharing family routines, and navigating the challenges of the surrounding world. Peggy even learns to climb stairs and to walk with a leash. Peggy’s consistent and persistent efforts reflect the advice of Lisa’s mother: “The difficult is done immediately. The impossible takes a little longer.” Eventually Peggy wins public recognition for her accomplishments. Multiaward winner Roy Miki is a member of the Order of Canada, and this is the second children’s book he has written with his wife, Slavia Miki. The story is based on true events in the life of the Mikis’ daughter and is enhanced by Ando’s appealing line-and-color illustrations. Lisa is biracial, with an East Asian dad and White mom; Peggy is completely adorable, with white fur and pink eyes, ears, and feet. There’s art on every spread; it combines with the short chapters to make this an especially apt choice for transitioning readers.

This simple, endearing story has universal appeal.