Can I Play Too? (An Elephant and Piggie Book)
A gentle early reader about inclusion: two friends work out how to play catch with a newcomer who has no arms, and the solution is funny and kind.
What It's About
Can I Play Too? is an early reader in Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie series, written for children who are just starting to read on their own. Gerald the elephant and Piggie are best friends, and this time they meet Snake, who wants to join in a game of catch. The problem is obvious to anyone who has tried to catch a ball: Snake has no arms, so the usual rules don't work.
The book is short, with sparse text, large type, and speech bubbles that carry most of the dialogue. Willems uses the pacing of a comic strip, so the rhythm comes from page turns and facial expressions rather than description. Reading it aloud takes only a few minutes, and it invites a child to pause, guess what happens next, and talk about the characters.
The experience is less about plot than about tone. The humor is dry and character-driven, and the story treats Snake's situation matter-of-factly rather than as a lesson. Adults should expect a brief, light read rather than a deep story, but the warmth and small comic beats make it one that children often ask to hear again.
Read this if you…
- want a short, warm read to share with a child who is learning to read independently
- are looking for a gentle picture book about including someone who is different
- enjoy comic-strip style books where the drawings carry much of the humor
Skip it if you…
- want a story with a real plot, rich vocabulary, or a longer bedtime read
- are hoping for a detailed exploration of disability rather than a light story about friendship
Key Ideas
- 1
Inclusion without turning it into a lesson
The book shows a newcomer being welcomed by adapting the game rather than excluding him or stopping to deliver a speech. Children see the difference made through practical thinking and simple friendliness, which models inclusion as something you do rather than something you announce.
- 2
Problem-solving as a shared game
Gerald and Piggie treat the challenge as a puzzle to test together. The fun lies in trying, watching, and adjusting, and the solution grows out of observation and cooperation rather than a single clever idea from one character.
- 3
A friendship that makes room
The central bond between Gerald and Piggie stays at the heart of the story, but it opens up to include someone new. The book suggests that a close friendship does not have to shrink to make space for another person.
- 4
Humor carried by faces and speech
Much of the comedy comes from Gerald's anxious reactions and Piggie's eagerness, read through expressions and the timing of speech bubbles. Young readers who notice these small visual cues tend to get the most out of the book.
Limitations
The book is very slight, and some readers find its emotional payoff thin compared with the strongest titles in the series. Snake's lack of arms is handled lightly, so parents who want a fuller conversation about disability will need to supply it themselves. The simple sentences and repeated patterns suit early readers but can feel repetitive to older children or adults. Some reviewers also feel the series has grown formulaic across its many volumes.
Questions Readers Ask
- Who is this book best for?
- It suits children who are just learning to read, typically in the early primary years, and adults reading aloud to younger children. Because the text is short and the pictures do much of the storytelling, it works well for both independent reading practice and shared reading. Older readers will likely find it too slight.
- Do I need to read other Elephant and Piggie books first?
- No. Each book in the series stands on its own, with the same two main characters and the same simple format, so a child can start anywhere. Readers who want a stronger emotional arc may enjoy trying a few other titles in the series for comparison.
- Published
- 2010
- ISBN
- 9781423119913
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Category
- Children's Books
Book details and cover from Google Books.
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