I Love My New Toy

The book is written in a series of conversation bubbles mostly between Gerald the Elephant and his friend Piggie. There's lots of facial expressions to read, and the books are really funny. This particular story has Piggie showing his new toy, which he loves, to his friend Gerald. Gerald then proceeds to ask if it's a throwing toy. Rubbing his hands together in a slightly Machiavellian way says, "I love throwing toys." So, he throws it. It falls to the ground and  breaks. Then there's a series of back and forth between a chastised and upset Gerald and a sad and mad Piggie with both characters ending in tears and loud, "waaahhhs." The punchline comes when a small squirrel peeks from page corner and says, "Cool. Isn't this one of those break and snap toys?" The squirrel hands the snapped together toy to Piggie. The roles are no reversed with Gerald feeling mad and Piggie feeling embarrassed. The final lines are...

Piggie: Do you want to play with my new toy?
Gerald: No.
Piggie: You don't want to play with my new toy?
Gerald: No. I want to play with you. Friends are better than toys.

We've had this book for a while, and it is always good for a laugh, but it takes on a whole new meaning for me with Emma around.  She looks at her brother like he is the best thing ever, and whatever toy has her attention as soon as Noah is in her line of vision... forget about it. 

Brothers are much better than toys. Warms my heart!