Madam Piccolo and the Craziest Party Ever

Noreen Mitchell is a librarian with the Toronto Public Library.

Madam Piccolo loves pickles and parties so much that she plans a pickle party for 4389 people. Naturally enough, the entire pickle population is somewhat upset about being selected as the main dish at a party for that many pickle-eating guests. Never fear; the quick-thinking Super Pickle decides to replace all the pickles in the pickle jars with green and bumpy pickle-like frogs, thus saving the pickle population in Madam Piccolo’s neighbourhood from certain extinction. When the pickle jars are finally opened, 343743 frogs jump out and join the party so Madam Piccolo must come up with a substitute food for pickles — she offers her guests pumpkin pie instead.

This light-hearted and spirited tale will appeal to young pickle lovers everywhere as well as to those who appreciate the pleasures of alliteration: “Madam Piccolo had a passion for pickles. She also had a passion for parties.” The humour in the text and in the colourful illustrations, too, makes this a delightful story to read aloud.