Slop! Book

Thoroughly enjoyable! Much thanks to my Goodreads friend Gundula for alerting me to this book.

I loved little (wee) things as a child; most children do; actually, I like miniature things (people?) now too.

This is just such a goodhearted story. Both couples are endearing. I love the Welsh folk motifs throughout the story, including the back cover, and they're explicitly pointed out so those not in the know will not miss any. I love that the white stripe across a Welsh corgi dog's shoulders is really a saddle for wee people. It's all so cute.

This would make a really fun read aloud, especially saying "slop" so many times with verve. This tale (surprising to me!) even had an environmental message.

My mother's mother was born in Wales, and though she died long before I was born, when I was young, I did meet a few relatives who still resided in Cardiff, and I am interested in all things Welsh even though I know very little. So, this was a great find for me.

The illustrations are in a style that aren't normally my favorite, but I loved them here. I was especially amused by the cat using the wall as a scratching post. Ha! But the dog, the people, wee people, all the animals, house & cottage, terrain (I particularly enjoyed the 2 page spread of the wee cottage with the peelings and the boat on the "river"), and the slop too were all great fun.

If only we all had such good neighbors. And there's composting too! And the potatoes, carrots, and onions made me hungry for that vegetable stew. But the reciprocal thoughtfulness of the neighbors is what struck me most.