Pingo
Kindergarten-Grade 2—An imaginary friend becomes a spiteful foe when a child's attention wavers. At first Chad and his buddy Pingo fight against ninja armies and create magical potions, but the child eventually outgrows his rambunctious cohort when his classmates ridicule him for playing with an invisible friend. As Chad matures into adulthood, he becomes more interested in girls than in his confidant. Mischievous Pingo retaliates by leading pirate attacks in the middle of the night, filling Chad's backpack with a sticky maple syrup and peanut butter concoction, and eating his work reports. Years later, confined to a rest home, solitary Chad reunites with his rowdy companion, and the duo continues their rollicking adventures. Pingo's gremlinlike appearance enhances his elfish antics; his oversize ears, furry body, and long tail provide humor throughout. Colorful mixed-media spreads effectively use shadow and perspective to maintain the tale's energetic focus. The result is an interesting look into the everlasting world of the imagination.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NCCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.