The Problem with Poppy
The Problem with Poppy
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Poppy the porcupine has always wanted to make a friend, but her defensive nature prevents her. When a young tiger cub stumbles upon her one day in the rainforest, she reacts badly and scares him away.

Determined to change her ways, she sets out to find him, but little does she know that the tiger cub is about to have a problem of his own. In the face of danger, will Poppy find a way to save the day?

The Problem with Poppy is an award-winning picture book aimed at children aged 4-8 and is the debut by British author Emma Sandford. Illustrated by Ukrainian artist Olena Osadcha. The book is the first in a series called The Sumatran Trilogy. The second book, What’s Troubling Tawny?, will be published in December 2021 and the third book, Hooray for Heidi!, will be published in June 2022.

Book Details

Genre: 

  • Picture book
  • Special

Age Level: 

  • 5 - 8
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Poppy has a problem. She’s been mistreated by others, so to prevent that from happening again, whenever anyone comes close, she “stomps her feet, rattles her quills and hisses loudly” to scare them away. This works…too well. One day a playful tiger cub wanders into Poppy’s life. Instead of giving him a chance, she does what she always does and scares him away. That’s when it happens: Poppy realizes that she is lonely for a friend and that she must change. Will she be able to find him again? And if so, will he give her another chance?

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The Problem with Poppy is a book about a porcupine named Poppy who has been having a hard time making friends. When Rory, a tiger cub, meets Poppy’s way, he curiously wants to befriend Poppy, but Poppy, as usual, scares Rory and other animals away. Poppy was saddened by what happened and wanted to change this habit of hers. Determined to make friends, Poppy goes out of her way and does everything she can to make friends again. When Rory got in trouble, Poppy does everything she can to save her newfound friend. Did the friends survive the danger they encountered?

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