What do you think?
Rate this book
What's Wrong, Little Pookie?
POOKIE'S UPSET AND POOKIE'S MOM cannot figure out why. And Pookie isn't helping, either. This familiar scenario is told with Sandra Boynton's signature humor, in both story and art. Caregivers and young children will laugh their way out of their sorrow as Mom and Pookie work things out. Never fear, a happy ending is on the way! Perfect for toddlers having a meltdown, or anyone in a plain old bad
mood, this book will come to the rescue for kids and adults for years to come.
mood, this book will come to the rescue for kids and adults for years to come.
18 pages, Board book
First published August 14, 2007
About the author
Sandra Boynton
148 books1,041 followersSandra Keith Boynton is a popular American humorist, songwriter, children's author and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated more than forty books for both children and adults, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and four music albums. Although she does not license her characters to be redrawn or adapted, she has herself designed—for various companies—calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys. —Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
October 2, 2010
Gripping, cathartic, unsurpassed in its sublimity. With a refreshingly chestnut afterglow and a lugubrious sense of wet leaves stuck to your forehead on an April afternoon in a low-income Paris suburb.
March 21, 2017
I enjoyed this book because it keeps young readers in suspense! The book also prompts little ones to make their own guesses as to why Pookie is upset. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The main character of this book is Pookie and he is accompanied by his mother who wants to know what bothers Pookie.
I think kids would really like this book because it is silly and adorable. I would emphasize that sometimes we may not know why we are upset, and that's okay. As long as we have a shoulder to lean on, all will be well.
I think kids would really like this book because it is silly and adorable. I would emphasize that sometimes we may not know why we are upset, and that's okay. As long as we have a shoulder to lean on, all will be well.
May 26, 2022
A little pig is sad and the mother wonders why. It gets cute as she imagines outlandish possibilities.
Apparently, age 7 and a half is when my daughter started losing interest in Sandra Boynton books, as this is the last one we purchased in December of 2007. So we missed out on the rest of the Little Pookie series and almost everything Boynton has done since. Maybe catching up is a project for another day . . .
Apparently, age 7 and a half is when my daughter started losing interest in Sandra Boynton books, as this is the last one we purchased in December of 2007. So we missed out on the rest of the Little Pookie series and almost everything Boynton has done since. Maybe catching up is a project for another day . . .
March 26, 2009
This is our current favorite nighttime book with two-year-old Jacob. He has the whole thing memorized and LOVES it when I let him answer the questions to Pookie: "Are you sick?" "No." "Do you need a cold drink?" "No thank you." "Are there five lazy frogs in your bed for a snooze?" "That's silly too!" It rhymes and has a terrific ending. I like most of Sandra Boynton's books, but this has to be my favorite.
June 27, 2013
A typical Boynton with nothing out of the ordinary besides the cute illustrations. It was fun to see the adorable ways in which little Pookie says no, and it was something that my preschoolers could relate to, although there wasn't enough to keep their attention. Not something we'll be reading again.
September 10, 2013
A cute addition to the little Pookie book series. Little Pookie is upset and mom doesn't know why. A great way to teach your little one about feelings.
September 20, 2015
My 23 month old daughter gives this book 5 stars plus.
January 6, 2024
I love this book for two main reasons. Firstly, my mom used to call me Pookie/Pooka/Pookaninny, so this brings up fond memories. Secondly, it reminds me of my grandmother saying "It's a very serious occasion," until we started laughing and were no longer upset.
This is a super cute story that shows a loving parent/child relationship.
This is a super cute story that shows a loving parent/child relationship.
December 13, 2018
I like this book because the mama asks silly things and Pookie says [spoiler alert] "I don't know" at the end, but then I think he remembers.
December 29, 2018
A fun book with a sweet message. Text and illustrations both by Sandra Boynton for a perfect combo.
February 23, 2009
Pookie is upset but doesn’t want to tell his mom why. In an attempt to get him to open up, his mother starts to ask him a series of question. At first the questions are quite serious, but as they are not the root of Pookie’s problem, his mother starts to ask more and more ridiculous questions. The simple cartoon style pen and ink drawings with minimal color are very typical of Sandra Boyton’s illustrations. The layout works well for the story with two different fonts being used to represent Pookie and his mother’s voice. Pookie’s responses to his mother’s questions are very typical of a child, that after a couple readings a child could easily fill in Pookie’s responses without knowing how to read. An enjoyable story with a charming ending would leave both kids and parents with smiles on their faces.
June 6, 2008
We checked this out from the library and Amelia has demanded it be read to her three times a day--at least-- every day since. Really, she'd prefer reading it more, but Mommy can only handle so much of Pookie each day. It's a cute story though and I think what Amelia enjoys so much about it is the interactive nature of the story--she loves saying, "NO" to all of the questions-- and that it ends with a laugh; she starts laughing as she's turning to the last page. She'll definitely be getting this book in her stocking this Christmas, if not sooner, and I can't wait to check out the other Pookie books with her.
October 26, 2018
This one is great because it can be simple, but it lends itself to extensions as well. This makes it perfect for literacy practice since kids will have heard it a bunch of times and then can start doing some higher level thinking. What might be wrong with Pookie? What inferences could you make? What do you get upset about? How does —— help you feel better? It’s a great book that is light to talk about feelings and how they pass. Also it’s fun and I love when a mom character gets to be silly :). A keeper.
September 3, 2013
I absolutely LOVE Sandra Boynton books! Little Pookie is a favorite! The books are so cute!
[image error]
[image error]
May 6, 2016
Nothing special.
January 8, 2018
I love Sandra Boynton, and I am totally going to steal her interrogation ideas.
August 14, 2017
Just a sweet mother distracting her upset toddler. Adorable little Pookie!
December 8, 2017
Very cute and silly. Exactly the kind of thing we like in this house.
March 24, 2018
Jets favorite book series.
April 16, 2018
My daughter l-o-v-e-s this book. It's definitely one of my favorite Boynton books for great rhyme and super silliness.
May 24, 2018
The Pookie stories are some of my children's favorites. We started reading them when they were around 3, and at 3.75 years old the girls are still enjoying them.
July 17, 2018
This is a great book for some interactive reading! My daughter takes on the role of Pookie and repeats all of things Pookie says. We love the Spooky Pookie book, too!
September 1, 2017
Cute little series, if not really having a point. Little Pookie is upset about something, as the title suggests. His mother goes through a serious of reasonable, and then outright made up, ideas for why he might be upset. In the end, he doesn't remember why he was upset at all, which I guess goes to prove how little purpose can be behind a child's tantrum in the first place. Cute art, rhyming story, and somewhat odd imagination (green elephants with blue wings? Sure).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2024
We have all ten of the Pookie books. I love that silly, adorable little piglet. I'd put What's Wrong somewhere in the middle of the pack (better than most of the holiday books, but not as good as Night Night, I Love You, Spooky or Let's Dance). I love Pooke's mother and her empathy and how first she checks all the serious things that could be wrong, before moving on to trying to make him laugh with some silliness. And the ending is cute.
October 29, 2019
My toddler is a dedicated Pookie fan, though this book didn't resonant with her as much Let's Dance, Little Pookie or Spooky Pookie (which we read year round). As a parent helping my kiddo through toddlerhood, I laughed out loud and appreciated Boynton's humor.
January 26, 2020
It's important for kids to know that it's okay to be sad or upset, even if they don't know why. While mommy pookie never really quite figures out why Little Pookie is crying, little ones can relate to sometimes just being sad.
September 21, 2020
For: pig/piglet fans; readers looking for a book about fondness for a child.
Possible red flags: silliness; could be too removed from the reader (it's about Little Pookie so it feels more like it's for an adult being fond of a child).
Possible red flags: silliness; could be too removed from the reader (it's about Little Pookie so it feels more like it's for an adult being fond of a child).
July 13, 2021
Why is Pookie upset? Mommy tries to find out and had many guesses in this sweet short story. Classic Boynton sweetness. My daughter didn't love this one as much as others, but it was still read many times.
December 13, 2021
Pookie’s mother tries to guess why Pookie is upset.
Pookie is visibly upset. When his mother asks him why he is upset, he doesn’t answer, prompting her to pose a variety of different scenarios ranging from realistic to silly. And in true child fashion, Pookie doesn’t even remember why he is upset.
This story affords children the opportunity to reflect upon their experience and the experience of others.
Pookie is visibly upset. When his mother asks him why he is upset, he doesn’t answer, prompting her to pose a variety of different scenarios ranging from realistic to silly. And in true child fashion, Pookie doesn’t even remember why he is upset.
This story affords children the opportunity to reflect upon their experience and the experience of others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews