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Cornbread & Poppy #1
Cornbread & Poppy
Caldecott medalist Matthew Cordell debuts his first early reader series about two best friends who are as different from each other as can be.
Cornbread LOVES planning. Poppy does not. Cornbread ADORES preparing. Poppy does not. Cornbread IS ready for winter. Poppy...is not. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when Poppy is left without any food for the long winter, Cornbread volunteers to help her out. Their search leads them up, up, up Holler Mountain, where these mice might find a new friend...and an old one. Celebrating both partnership and the value of what makes us individuals, young readers will find this classic odd-couple irresistible as they encounter relatable issues with humor and heart.
Publishing simultaneously in hardcover and paperback.
Cornbread LOVES planning. Poppy does not. Cornbread ADORES preparing. Poppy does not. Cornbread IS ready for winter. Poppy...is not. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when Poppy is left without any food for the long winter, Cornbread volunteers to help her out. Their search leads them up, up, up Holler Mountain, where these mice might find a new friend...and an old one. Celebrating both partnership and the value of what makes us individuals, young readers will find this classic odd-couple irresistible as they encounter relatable issues with humor and heart.
Publishing simultaneously in hardcover and paperback.
80 pages, Hardcover
Published January 4, 2022
7 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Cordell
66 books168 followersMatthew Cordell is the acclaimed author and illustrator of the 2018 Caldecott winner Wolf in the Snow. He is also the author and illustrator of Trouble Gum and the illustrator of If the S in Moose Comes Loose, Toot Toot Zoom!, Mighty Casey, Righty and Lefty, and Toby and the Snowflakes, which was written by his wife. Matthew lives in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife, writer Julie Halpern, and their daughter, Romy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
April 6, 2022
It's a little bit Frog & Toad and a twist on the Grasshopper and the Ant. Two mouse buddies go for a hike up Holler Mountain to get winter provisions for Poppy - the Procrastinator. They are prepared to face the perils of steep, slippery rocks and OWLS. What do they find on the mountain? You will have to read their story and find out. A wonderful new book for early readers.
April 30, 2022
I am apparently in the minority in not absolutely loving this book. It's engagingly written and the illustrations, while not my particular favorite style, are quite expressive. I can see the appeal (I thought it might present some Frog and Toad vibes., though I would rather just read Frog and Toad again). I think it's meant to be a kinder version of The Ant and the Grasshopper only I think it takes that a bit too far and I'm left wondering what message it is really sending. I think it's meant to show kindness, support of friends, generosity. The blurb says it "celebrates partnership and the value of what makes us individuals." The delivery just doesn't work for me. It would be like reading The Little Red Hen and at the end all the animals that didn't help out go to a neighboring farm and get some delicious baked goodies from the hen who miraculously happens to have a complete pantry full of them. I get that there was some bravery involved in climbing the big scary mountain to find food, but there isn't much choice when it's that or starve and the peril is dispatched with in a completely unrealistic fashion. Also, at the end, just when you think the "Grasshopper" learned its lesson and is going to buckle down to help the "Ant" shovel the walkway... the "Ant" says nah, let's go play first! I think we are hinting at "all work and no play" but it's too many mixed messages in this case. For more details (including plot details) you can see this review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I would recommend, instead, How Groundhog's Garden Grew, one of our family favorites. It starts with groundhog taking food from neighbors' gardens because he doesn't know how to grow his own. He is scolded, but then mentored by squirrel who teaches him how to grow his own garden--joyfully. And, in the end, he prepares a huge feast for his neighbors.
I would recommend, instead, How Groundhog's Garden Grew, one of our family favorites. It starts with groundhog taking food from neighbors' gardens because he doesn't know how to grow his own. He is scolded, but then mentored by squirrel who teaches him how to grow his own garden--joyfully. And, in the end, he prepares a huge feast for his neighbors.
January 25, 2022
An elegant early chapter book debut. Part Ant & Grasshopper fable, part buddy road-trip. At one point it could have skewed wildly to cautionary tale about accepting rides from predatory strangers - but fortunately for our readers it didn’t.
October 6, 2022
Cornbread and Poppy are friends. But they are very different.
Cornbread has prepared for winter. Poppy has not. How will Poppy make it through the winter without food? How can Cornbread help her?
A gentle story for easy early chapter readers about friendship despite differences.
Cornbread has prepared for winter. Poppy has not. How will Poppy make it through the winter without food? How can Cornbread help her?
A gentle story for easy early chapter readers about friendship despite differences.
January 1, 2022
This is an adorable, highly illustrated short chapter book. This would make a great read-aloud for a parent reading to their child, or a child who's just learning to read on their own. The illustrations are adorable and infuse some humour into the text. Library patrons are frequently looking for early chapter books and this will be an easy recommendation from me.
October 24, 2022
probably the best thing i’ve read all year
February 14, 2022
I've been looking forward to reading this one and finally decided since I was at the bookstore to buy it because I knew I'd adore it. It's the story of two mice, Cornbread and Poppy that are friends. Cornbread is the Type A type making lists, checking them twice, securing necessary foodstuff for the winter, and being careful at all times. Poppy is Cornbread's friend and she's a wild and free spirit that wants adventure and fun even when sometimes it means she's not as prepared as she needs to be.
Regardless they're still great friends and Cornbread puts aside those differences to help Poppy who is in search of food for the winter which means trekking up a mountain where they discover another mouse who mysteriously disappeared but who is actually living peacefully on the mountain and is wiling to share her well-stocked supplies to help Poppy.
It's a heartwarming story about friendship and connection, being a good neighbor and good citizen, being prepared but still having a little fun too. Delightful!
Regardless they're still great friends and Cornbread puts aside those differences to help Poppy who is in search of food for the winter which means trekking up a mountain where they discover another mouse who mysteriously disappeared but who is actually living peacefully on the mountain and is wiling to share her well-stocked supplies to help Poppy.
It's a heartwarming story about friendship and connection, being a good neighbor and good citizen, being prepared but still having a little fun too. Delightful!
March 9, 2022
It's a delightful early reader in the tradition of Frog and Toad. There is an "Ant and the Grasshopper" lesson to be learned from the story. My Mock Caldecott friends suggested it for consideration. I really like the story. I think the illustrations are sweet, but not distinguished.
June 6, 2022
So....I really am going to have to change my name to Cornbread because this mouse is wayyyy too relatable.
April 29, 2023
This is one of the cutest children's picture/chapter books I have read all year! I was surprised when I noticed the copyright was 2022 because of its strong Frog & Toad vibes. My 4 year-old and 2 year-old were both mesmerized with the story. It is the perfect intro to chapter books with pictures on each page. I hope the author writes more!
February 28, 2024
this is ur reminder that i do work at a children's book store so i count reading things like this as part of my job but ALSO!!!! sometimes it's just a fun, cute time!! and that was the case here!!!
April 2, 2025
Pistache and Poppy are the reason j’apprend le français
July 6, 2024
We absolutely love these books. It’s one of those children’s chapter books we enjoy reading with our girls. Great little story of two mouse friends that’s entertaining even for me and the three other books in the series are super cute too. Anyone who has kiddos should read these!
November 4, 2022
Very sweet friendship story about two mice. One who helps the other out of a food storage problem. Perfect for kids who live in a snowy climate. For very early readers transitioning from easy readers to chapter books.
January 9, 2022
Cornbread and Poppy is a wonderful book about two mouse friends who are completely opposite personalities from one another, especially when it comes to preparing for winter. True friends are always there for one another and this story explores this support and takes readers on a little adventure.
Matthew Cordell introduces us to some very sweet, endearing characters in this beginning chapter series. I look forward to reading more in the future.
Matthew Cordell introduces us to some very sweet, endearing characters in this beginning chapter series. I look forward to reading more in the future.
November 8, 2024
A sweet little anthropomorphic story about two mice who are best friends, but different in character - Cornbread is always prepared and working ahead, while Poppy tends to love adventure and fun but puts things off until the last minute (my youngest cat is named Poppy, which is what drew me to the book cover). When Poppy has neglected to forage for the winter months, the two climb Holler Mountain together in search of food - because, of course, they are best friends and Cornbread is not going to let Poppy go alone. With the assistance of a few surprise friends/helpers whom they find there, Poppy is all set for winter and they share a cup of tea and some productive time skiing. Adorable, with a simple, heartfelt lesson to be learned about procrastination versus preparedness as well. I love the authenticity of their expressions and emotions. The illustrations are done in pen and ink with watercolor, and this is the first in a new series for the author, to be followed by Cornbread & Poppy at the Carnival.
December 27, 2022
La choupitude vaincra ! Un très mignon premier petit roman pour les CE1 ! ça m'a un peu fait penser à la série de premières lectures Marius chez Casterman.
September 15, 2022
― Rating: 4 Stars ★★★★
Sometimes you just have to judge the book its cover! Cornbread & Poppy is a fun, sweet chapter book about two mice whose friendship leads them on an unexpected adventure before the long winter approaches. The watercolor art makes this such a visually great read and the storytelling makes this so enjoyable, especially for early readers!!
Cornbread is a planner and his best friend Poppy, is not. She prefers to go on adventures, hikes & bike rides which leads her to some trouble when she realizes there's not enough food left in town for her before winter. The only way now is to travel outside of town towards Holler Mountain, where there may be some food left, leading Cornbread & Poppy on an adventure with some surprises along the way.
First off, what drew me to this book was initially the super cute art & the watercolor not only helped to illustrate the coziness but also quite expressive and full of little details that bring the setting to life. There's a cottage-y aesthetic to the story which is something I'm kind of obsessed with: from Cornbread's house, winter harvest, to the weather on Holler Mountain, its all portrayed through the light watercolor style.
Understandably, its a rather quick read the dialogue explains all it needs too, but doesn't lose the lighthearted, whimsical atmosphere of the story. It also further emphasizes Poppy + Cornbread's friendship in the critical moments of the story.
Overall a very fun, cute read & I'm glad to have discovered these books! Seriously the art is adorable, can't wait to read more from this mouse duo!!
Sometimes you just have to judge the book its cover! Cornbread & Poppy is a fun, sweet chapter book about two mice whose friendship leads them on an unexpected adventure before the long winter approaches. The watercolor art makes this such a visually great read and the storytelling makes this so enjoyable, especially for early readers!!
Cornbread is a planner and his best friend Poppy, is not. She prefers to go on adventures, hikes & bike rides which leads her to some trouble when she realizes there's not enough food left in town for her before winter. The only way now is to travel outside of town towards Holler Mountain, where there may be some food left, leading Cornbread & Poppy on an adventure with some surprises along the way.
First off, what drew me to this book was initially the super cute art & the watercolor not only helped to illustrate the coziness but also quite expressive and full of little details that bring the setting to life. There's a cottage-y aesthetic to the story which is something I'm kind of obsessed with: from Cornbread's house, winter harvest, to the weather on Holler Mountain, its all portrayed through the light watercolor style.
Understandably, its a rather quick read the dialogue explains all it needs too, but doesn't lose the lighthearted, whimsical atmosphere of the story. It also further emphasizes Poppy + Cornbread's friendship in the critical moments of the story.
Overall a very fun, cute read & I'm glad to have discovered these books! Seriously the art is adorable, can't wait to read more from this mouse duo!!
March 14, 2022
First sentence: It was winter.
Premise/plot: Cornbread and Poppy is the first in a new early reader series by Matthew Cordell. This first book introduces the characters Cornbread and Poppy--two mice who are as different as different can be. The three stories are all set in the winter season. The three stories are "The First Snow," "Holler Mountain," and "The Food Problem." The stories are linked together--build upon one another.
Essentially, long story short, Cornbread is WELL prepared for winter; Poppy is ill-prepared for winter. The three stories are about these two working together to help Poppy out of a situation.
My thoughts: The moment I saw the cover, I knew I needed to read this one! The cover just says READ ME, READ ME! Mice in fiction are always a thousand times cuter (and more appealing) than mice in real life. So reading about these mice friends sounded like a treat.
I wasn't disappointed. I'm not sure that I loved, loved, loved it so completely that I push it (literally) into the hands of every single person I know. But I did push it into my mom's hands. (And I'll recommend it to my sister as well.) I definitely liked it well enough that I want MORE in the series.
Premise/plot: Cornbread and Poppy is the first in a new early reader series by Matthew Cordell. This first book introduces the characters Cornbread and Poppy--two mice who are as different as different can be. The three stories are all set in the winter season. The three stories are "The First Snow," "Holler Mountain," and "The Food Problem." The stories are linked together--build upon one another.
Essentially, long story short, Cornbread is WELL prepared for winter; Poppy is ill-prepared for winter. The three stories are about these two working together to help Poppy out of a situation.
My thoughts: The moment I saw the cover, I knew I needed to read this one! The cover just says READ ME, READ ME! Mice in fiction are always a thousand times cuter (and more appealing) than mice in real life. So reading about these mice friends sounded like a treat.
I wasn't disappointed. I'm not sure that I loved, loved, loved it so completely that I push it (literally) into the hands of every single person I know. But I did push it into my mom's hands. (And I'll recommend it to my sister as well.) I definitely liked it well enough that I want MORE in the series.
July 9, 2022
Organized grey mouse Cornbread knows how to plan ahead, plus he's a good friend to his tan effervescent mouse friend Poppy. The mice get along perfectly because they're so different, yet when there's work to be done together Poppy prefers having fun riding a bike or hiking with Cornbread. He tries to warn Poppy to plan ahead for winter, but she turns a deaf ear to such activities. When winter comes Cornbread is well stocked with food, while Poppy realizes she's not prepared. This early entertaining chapter book with whimsical expressive illustrations by Matthew Cordell provides a perfect marriage of images and story. Young readers will find a lot to appreciate with organized prepared Cornbread and carefree Poppy, probably reminding them of themselves, and friends they know. I hope that Matthew Cordell writes many more adventures for Cornbread and Poppy.
November 2, 2022
3.5 stars.
A retelling of "The Ant and the Grasshopper ", one of Aesop's fables. Here, Cornbread is industrious, ensuring he has put away enough food to get himself through the winter, while Poppy goes for bike rides, or hikes, or anything else fun and active. Poppy finds herself without anything laid aside for the winter at the end of fall, and Cornbread decides to help her out, because he's a nice guy.
I adored the pen and ink illustrations. They're full of life and whimsical.
A retelling of "The Ant and the Grasshopper ", one of Aesop's fables. Here, Cornbread is industrious, ensuring he has put away enough food to get himself through the winter, while Poppy goes for bike rides, or hikes, or anything else fun and active. Poppy finds herself without anything laid aside for the winter at the end of fall, and Cornbread decides to help her out, because he's a nice guy.
I adored the pen and ink illustrations. They're full of life and whimsical.
January 10, 2023
It's a modern day Frog and Toad, I'm calling it now. It's SO adorable. I will want this (and any future offerings) when my daughter is old enough to reading. And in that stage where they are reading and want chapters but not ready for major chapter books.....This book was just everything. And I love Matthew Cordell. So there's that
June 21, 2024
A frog and toad-esque reader about two mice. Cornbread is nervous and well prepared. Poppy lives for fun. When winter comes, Cornbread is all stocked up, but Poppy hasn’t made any preparations, and now all the food is gone! Poppy decides to take a scary journey up the mountain to find food, and Cornbread is scared, but is a good friend, and joins her. They adventure on from there. Very cute.
January 5, 2022
Very sweet higher-level Easy Reader for your kids who enjoy Frog & Toad (and other Arnold Lobel books) or Cynthia Rylant's Henry & Mudge or the Mr. Putter and Tabby books. I love Matthew Cordell's work and the artwork in this is very expressive, detailed, and fun.
January 7, 2022
Cornbread is a planner; Poppy is not. Cornbread likes to be prepared; Poppy is more interested in the here and now. Cornbread is ready for winter; Poppy, not so much. But Cornbread and Poppy are best friends, so Cornbread agrees to accompany Poppy up Holler Mountain in search of food for the long winter. But Holler Mountain is a scary place, with steep hills, snow, and OWLS! It's a memorable adventure for these two adorable mice, and I can’t wait to share this early reader with the early readers in my life! P.S. I’m a Cornbread! 🐭 🐭
February 24, 2022
OMG, Poppy! You need to be prepared. Be glad you have awesome friends to help you out.
Btw, great illustrations. Reminds me of illustrations in kid's books from the 70s and 80s.
Btw, great illustrations. Reminds me of illustrations in kid's books from the 70s and 80s.
February 26, 2022
Adorable. Perfect for Cynthia Rylant beginning reader fans!
April 18, 2022
Cornbread and Poppy is an early reader that reminded me of Frog and Toad books. The illustrations were soft and appealing. A quick read with beautiful illustrations.
September 14, 2022
Loved this. The perfect book.
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May 23, 2023Quite cute; I want to check out the others in this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews