Louella and the yellow balloon Book

If Loudmouth George and the New Neighbors didn't have Harriet the dog in it, we probably would have skipped it. Loudmouth George isn't a very likeable character and he doesn't want to play with the new neighbors (who happen to be pigs).

The story pits George against Harriet. Harriet wants to play with the pig girl and George doesn't. He tries spreading rumors about all the "bad" things pigs do. Harriet throughout the book continues to do her thing and ignore George when he's at his worst.

While it's important to teach children tolerance I found Loudmouth George's behavior too self serving to the moral of the story. In the previous books from the series the plots aren't so obvious, aiming instead for a subtle humor.

My daughter enjoyed the book more than I did although she didn't ask for a re-read like she has with others in the series.