A Practical Present for Philippa Pheasant by Briony May Smith

A Practical Present for Philippa Pheasant by Briony May Smith.  Candlewick Press, 2023. 9781536228489  
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Format: Hardcover Picture book
What did you like about the book? Philippa Pheasant lives in a forest outside a small village.  Every afternoon she “would cross Old Oak Road to peck at the delicious blackberries growing on the other side.” But almost every afternoon “something fast would whiz out of nowhere.” Philippa would have to fly out of the way very quickly and she knew that some had not escaped the “whizzing somethings”.  Her friends told her to write a letter to the mayor which she did but he did not respond.  Then one day in the village she watched as a crossing guard helped children cross the street.  This gave her the idea of making her own crossing guard outfit and sign to help her friends cross the road.  It worked!  Soon Philippa was famous! Everyone was so impressed – except for the mayor. It was not until the mayor’s beloved cat, Darling Treasure, went missing only to be rescued by Philippa, that the mayor realized just how special she was.  He rewarded her in front of the entire village, presenting her with a specialized crossing guard outfit and sign.  Not only that but all the animals painted a crosswalk!
Utterly charming illustrations, created in mixed media, and rendered in earth tones, complement this warm story of the needed connectivity between animal and human.
Anything you did not like about the book?  No.
To whom would you recommend this book? Children who like animals and who are concerned for their welfare will welcome this lovely story.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries and nursery schools
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review:  August 12, 2023