Bing and Chutney

Sylvia Pantaleo is an assistant professor of education specializing in
children’s literature at Queen’s University and the co-author of
Learning with Literature in the Canadian Elementary Classroom.

A pig named Bing and an elephant named Chutney are special friends. Bing
loves to stay home and cook and Chutney loves to dance. One Sunday,
Chutney announces that she is going to be a famous dancer and sets off
for the big city. Although saddened by her friend’s departure, Bing
hides her tears. On Monday, Bing opens a cooking school, and everyone
comes to learn how to cook and bake. Meanwhile, Chutney becomes a famous
dancer in the city. By Friday, both characters are feeling lonely for
each other, and on Saturday, Chutney returns home. Bing and Chutney talk
for hours, and Bing cooks a feast. The neighbors arrive for a party and
eat Bing’s food and watch Chutney dance.

Bing and Chutney are lovable characters, and each learns that
friendship is just as important as individual success. Each
character’s name is written in a unique font and young readers will
quickly be able to identify the words “Bing” and “Chutney.” The
delightful watercolor illustrations are energetic and humorous. Highly
recommended.