Pingo

Written by Brandon Mull and illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Salt Lake City, UT: Shadow Mountain, 2009.

This picture book takes the idea of an imaginary friend and mixes it up: what if your imaginary friend turns into your enemy? That's what happens to Chad. Chad and his imaginary friend Pingo, who looks like a gremlin, grew up having fun adventures. One day, after being teased by kids about Pingo, Chad decides he doesn't want to have an imaginary friend anymore - "it's time to stop pretending that you're real." Well, Pingo just won't go away, and he decides if they can't be friends, enemies is it! Pingo makes it his mission to torment Chad in any way he can think of. As Chad grows up, Pingo continually plays tricks on him, but he grows weary of being ignored. Years later, Chad is an old man living alone at a rest home. Guess who's there with him? Chad gives up, and confesses he's missed Pingo, and the two of them continue their adventures.

I was immediately drawn to Pingo, who with his polka-dot shorts and striped scarf, is absolutely charming. His facial expressions expertly demonstrate his mischievous streak, and you just can't help falling in love with him. The illustrations are hilarious, and kids will enjoy picking out the details of Pingo and Chad's adventures. This book will have you looking at imaginary friends in a new light!