Pibbin the Small
by Gloria Repp
Genre: children/fiction/frogs & toads
Word count: 9,500 words
Pibbin is desperate to get help for his injured friend, a turtle. He worries because it’s a long journey to the doctor’s house and the other frogs tell him he’s too small to go. “You’ll run into snakes and that giant bullfrog,” they say. “Black Snapping Crabs might eat you.”
He can’t help wondering: is he too small to be brave?
But his friend’s leg is still bleeding! Pibbin finds a pal, and they hurry off on the dangerous trip, hoping to return before she gets worse. No one knew to warn them about a crazy toad-driver, or stolen leaves, or a terrible, misted swamp. . . The two pals end up in more trouble than anyone ever expected.
Easy-to-read illustrated chapter book for ages 6 and up.
This book: is available from Amazon and from the author’s website: www.gloriarepp.com
Gloria, how did you come up with the title for your book? Does it have any special meaning?
I wanted to focus on the hero of this series, so I began with Pibbin’s name, and I wanted to characterize him right from the start, so I used the word “small” to point to his size and his internal conflict.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Pibbin, smallest of treefrogs, is my favorite. To me, and perhaps to others of child-like mind, he is a symbol of the small, helpless creature whose large heart and courage drive him to accomplish extraordinary feats.
Does your book have any underlying theme, message, or moral?
Friendship—a subject often trivialized by adults and misunderstood by children—is the broad theme of this series, and in this book, I focus on the idea that a true friend may choose to undergo hardship and danger in order to meet another’s need.
What would/could a reader or reviewer say about this book that shows they “get” you as an author?
I’m happy to see reviews that reflect positively on my desire to write original, high-quality stories, to convey useful concepts, and to portray characters with whom the reader can identify.
Give us an excerpted quote from your favorite review of this book:
“Catch the busyness of the delightful creatures of friendship bog . . . She sings out the rhythms of the WONKS. . . the wonderful changes of little frog faces. . . Join Pibbin’s whole-hearted effort and rewarding adventure and feel what it’s like to be a caring friend.”
Where can people learn more about your writing?
http://www.gloriarepp.com
