Pig Books

My husband was looking for the perfect book to add to our daughter's library. He wanted one that featured farm animals (Old MacDonald is her favorite) and that explained how he felt about her. He looked at quite a few father and daughter books, but they just weren't what he wanted. Then I came across this one, and we both fell in love. The story fits our daughter perfectly. It reminds her that no matter what she does, or how frustrated her daddy gets, he will always love her.
I like how the plot comes full circle. It opens with her playing with her Papa and chewing his tail -- hard. This causes the Papa pig to yell "Ouch!" and chase the baby pig out of the sty. Unsure if Papa is really mad, she asks, "Do you love me?" He doesn't hear. She then wanders to other farm animal friends and asks if they love her. They always respond yes, but that there's someone who loves her and her cute features ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times, a million times, even a billion times more. She finally ends up back with her Papa who proclaims his love of her cute ears, snub nose, curly-whirly tail, little pink trotters and her fat little tummy. "And I love you best of all in the whole world!" It ends with the daughter pig playing with her Papa and chewing on his tail -- gently.
This is a wonderful gift for a father to give to his daughter!

I bought this book for my son to read to his little daughter. The colors, characters and story should catch her attention, but the message most of all about being totally loved I hope stays with her forever.

Margaret Wild's PIGLET AND PAPA receives Stephen Michael King's fun drawings as it tells of an insecure piglet who has upset her father and thinks he may not love her. A naughty child's relationship with her father is explored in this fun story. All are top picks for picturebook libraries, promising different plots and especially artistic embellishments.

Reviewed by Stephanie, Parish (age 3), and Isaac, Rollins (age1) for Reader Views (7/07)

Stephen Michael King illustrated "Piglet and Papa." Like all of his other books, he has captured children's attention with his simple, lovable animals. Margaret Wild writes a loving, elementary tale that about Piglet and her father. Piglet gets her feelings hurt when her father scolds her. She runs off and meets several other animals who tell her how much they, and someone else (implying her father), loves her.

Parish liked the book, but not near as much as Isaac. He loudly started making animals noises while pointing at the pictures. He got so excited about the pictures that sweat started popping out on his forehead. This book stays off the bookshelf, because Isaac demands it so often. We even had to take it on vacation with us; it helped a lot during the boring car rides.

"What do you think about this book, Parish?"
"I like it."

"Do you want to keep it or give it away?"
"Hmmmm." She puts her finger to her lip in the typical Parish fashion. "Let's keep it."

That was just a test. Isaac had already made it clear that I was to keep this book. This book is a must-have. No children's library is complete without this story of family. Be prepared to carry this book with you no matter where you go. You will read it many times, but your children will love "Piglet and Papa."

We recently stumbled across this book at the library and checked it out since it involves both pink pigs AND Christmas! You can't get any better than that! Our daughter, who will be 3 in March, LOVES this book so much! No other book has got her laughing so hard as this one! My husband and I like this book's comic book layout and funny illustrations. This book teaches children about teamwork, cause and effect, fixing things that break, and the big payoff of being patient.

This book is chock full of the cutest pictures, and has a great tale of the pig family's adventures in getting ready for christmas!

Will Santa bring me what I want for Christmas? He will if you ask for this delightful book! The creative pictures and wonderful story will brighten any child's day. (Believe me, I know, I'm a kid!)

Indeed, this book has something for everyone. No matter what your age or outlook, this delightful book is a favorite. From the vivid drawings to the hilarious text, it's perfect. Parents won't get tired of reading this one over and over because you laugh at something everytime. My three children are in their twenties and still insist that I put this book out each Christmas. I think all children can relate to "burned blueberry binkies" and if Santa will get their letter on time. Unless you're a Scrooge, you'll love this book!

A wonderful job of compiling and organizing all the basic Southern recipes and so many new decadent ones! The format - stories in simple language - is such fun and so Southern!! I have already thought of many "Folks" to present with copies. A truly clever cookbook!... Keith Headley, Memphis, TN.

I bought three copies for "Yankee" friends with whom I have been exchanging recipes and cookbooks for years - the Amaretto pie is unbelievable!...Suzann B. (a Southern Belle from MS)

As an avid cookbook collector, I was excited to find this true Southern Masterpiece to add to my shelf. Raleigh's recipes are both invaluable and delicious, and her keen sense of humor flavors this charming book with wit and wisdom...Jack Morton, three-time Emmy Award-winning stylist and owner of Indulgence Salon in Atlanta, GA

A delightful book and I love and use it. I am a cookbook collector and I can truthfully say that have enjoyed this one more than any of my others! I am from VA and my southern accent "comes back" when I read this lovely book. GREAT RECIPES!

This book is a joy to read and to have read to you! We love the story of the piggies and the potatoes for their family and neighbors. We never tire of reading it and read it at least once a day to our 2-year old daughter. We just wish the authors had more books for us to purchase because we would certainly buy them!!

One pig wants potatoes - setting off a chain reaction that spreads through his family even to the neighbors. Now all the pigs want potatoes in this fine and lively picturebook packing a rollicking rhyme with an easy reader helping kids to learn to read. Parents will find it a fun, satisfying read-aloud, too.

This is a great little book with fabulous illustrations, appropriate word choices, and a fun story. Want to teach the concept of numbers? This is the book for you.
I shared this book with a few youngsters, and they all loved it.

I have made a lot of books over the past 16 years but I made this one for MY kids and it is, by far, my favorite! We have hundreds of children's books at home but my wife (Anika Denise-author of Pigs Love Potatoes) and I wanted one that was just right for that special bedtime reading. You will not be disappointed!
Best wishes,
Christopher Denise (illustrator of Pigs Love Potatoes, Oliver Finds his Way, The Redwall Cookbook and many more)

My daughter, now 7 going into 2nd grade, & I have been reading together all her life, but lots since we started going to the library when she was about 2. Poppleton was an early discovery, long before she was learning to read herself. The short tales appealed to her as a preschooler, & now as a young reader. The illustrations are darling, but the character himself is utterly charming. He just makes you smile, sort of like Winnie the Pooh or Ziggy. My only complaint is that there are not enough Poppleton stories! I recommend anything Cynthia Rylant writes - try Little Whistle for example.

It's a great book to read. I think it's a funny book. It is very exciting! My favorite part is when he says, " I sleep 24 different ways." That was funny. It is a good book. It's cool!

Cynthia Rylant's three early-reader series (Henry and Mudge, Mister Putter and Tabby, and Poppleton) are almost uniformly excellent, but Poppleton has always been my particular favorite. They have a slightly off-kilter feeling to them that makes me smile (and my daughter laugh out loud) even on the fifth or sixth time through.

The second and third stories in _Poppleton Everyday_, in which Our Hero shops for a bed and goes sailing with his friend Fillmore the Goat, are superb even by the high standards of the series. Each one takes a perfectly ordinary situation, lets it spiral into absurdity, and then resolves it in the last two pages. Mark Teague--who has one of the most distinctive styles in children's literature--is provides pitch-perfect illustrations to go with it.

This is a series to cherish. If you haven't tried it, do!

Poppleton is the first character in a long time who has had my girls begging to hear him again. Cynthia Rylant's characters have always been enjoyable. The unexpected quirks in Poppleton's personality got a lot of laughs from my girls, and my 12 year old son. This book makes a great read-aloud for many ages. We have never enjoyed being not relaxed so much.

This book is obviously written by someone who's raised rabbits and knows the ins & outs of doing so. It's a good read for anyone who raises rabbits or wants to do so.

I have picked up this book over and over to learn more about raising rabbits for the small backyard rabbitery. I recommend it to anyone that is a first time rabbit raiser. It is a very detailed step by step book on how to raise good meat rabbits. I bought the book 12 years ago and will keep reading it for many more years.

This book covers all of the basics for raising healthy and productive rabbits, whether for pets or production. Lots of simple advice and easy-to-understand information. Since I have a small rabbitry, this book is one of my best references.

This is the perfect book to read if you are interested in raising rabbits. Everything you need to know is in this book. If you are interested in raising rabbits for meat, this is a great book.

I love books written and illustrated by Jill Barklem. The mice in her stories are so sweet, and she gives them cute names. In this story, the youngest mouse is called "Baby Shrimp!" The mice build a boat and go sailing in search of salt. They have lots of fun adventures and get to visit with their faraway relatives, who collect salt from the ocean near their home. This is a nice story, with lots of beautiful pictures of life in Brambly Hedge...

Jill Barklem's Brambly Hedge Mice are on a sea adventure this time. Traditonal British rural customs are depicted with inviting illustrations and you can enjoy a mouse eye's view of Dusty's charming boat, The Periwinkle, as they sail off in search of salt. When they meet up with their cousins, the Sea Mice, who moved from the Green Fields to the Dunes long ago, they enjoy a lively cultural exchange that you are sure to enjoy along with them. Treat yourself to a game of dominoes and a candied violet or two and immerse yourself in this enchanting little world. This book reminds me of both Beatrix Potter and "The Wind in the Willows" but I like the illustrations even more than Potter's. There are such lovely and clever details rendered in soft pastels. Sail away with this fun book but don't miss out on the others by Ms. Barklem!

This is a gentle story with wonderful use of the English language and lots of opportunites for discussion with children. Vocabulary words, tides, levers, methods of travel, salt and its necessity and harvesting, manners, feelings, family and friends. The illustrations are cozy and delightful and detailed enough to spend time looking for things with a child so inclined.

This book is destined to become a favorite in our house. The word charming doesn't even begin to describe it. This is the perfect read-aloud for young ones. The story is interesting and full without being frightening in any way. it has been a problem for us to find read-aloud's that would hold our daughter's attention and not scare her. I intend to read the others in this series, as well. By the way, our daughter is 2 and enjoys this book, but I can see it having a very long life - there's much to explore in the story and the wonderful illustrations. Very similar to Beatrix Potter, but much more gentle.

iza trapani is the best. she's got wonderful imagination. every page is beautifully painted to take little minds and hearts out of this world. my son loves and remembers all her rhyme books since he was 3.

My 2 1/2-year-old daughter really likes this book. We've read it numerous times, and she doesn't get tired of it. All of the pages are written to the song "Shoo, Fly! Don't Bother Me." A fly is bothering the mouse, who tries everything from telling it to go away, to hiding from it, to spraying it with water. In the end, the mouse goes to bed exhausted. The pictures are funny and cute. My 6-year-old has fun "singing" the words to the book.

My daughter is 5 and autistic. She has major bug phobias and panics when a fly is around. As you can imagine, that is often and there is no peace until the fly/bug is gone. After reading this book over and over, she is still afraid of bugs, but tells them to "shoo fly" and you can see she feels stronger with these words. There's no more panic or screaming. I am so glad to have found this book for her and what a relief for me too. She also laughs and thinks its funny. Love it!

As an Early Childhood Education major at Clemson University, I was given the task to review this book for my Children's Literature class. This picture book, written and illustrated by Iza Trapani, is a playful account of a song that everyone is familiar with, Shoo Fly. By the use of many characteristics such as language, illustrations, and overall appeal to young readers, Trapani has written a book that is very marketable for success. First of all, the language in Shoo Fly! is developed throughout the book as being like that of a "sing song" tone. The words are simple and can be easily comprehended. They also flow together being that they are written in a form of meter. An example of this is, "I think the coast is clear - no more buzzing in my ear." It is very important for a young reader to be able to easily grasp what is being presented in any book. North quotes Dorothy Butler in her article as saying, "If children are to love poetry later, they need to discover early the satisfaction, which comes from experiencing form in language." This holds true with Trapani's work because she captures the attention of the readers with her use of fluid language and the form in which she writes. Another facet of the book that allows for comprehension and peaked interest is the illustrations. Trapani uses very vivid colors to depict background scenes where the main character, a mouse, is bothered by a pesky fly that is plaguing him. The images have very soft color schemes and are rounded. These round images allow the reader to have a better grasp of the playful tone of the book. North states in her article that it has been proven that children who are introduced to books in their preschool years, the assumed audience for Shoo Fly!, have a greater advantage than those children who do not have such a literary background. In order to capture the attention of an age group such as that a book must be pleasing and of interest. Trapani succeeds in this manner with the way in which she presents her work. Most importantly, Shoo Fly! does indeed appeal to young readers. This book was taken to a community center and read to children of a preschool age. They enjoyed it and seemed to comprehend what was being said. As North cited, children need to be introduced to these literary works at a young age so that they can further their intellectual base as they get older. Books such as Trapani's help in this quest because in order to introduce the literature to children, such as preschoolers, you must first capture their attention. Through language, illustrations, and overall appeal, Iza Trapani has written a very successful book. She has picked out what appeals to children and elaborated on those areas throughout her work. Attention can be easily given to book that provides humor and effect to adults, but many things have to go into the process of gaining the interest of a child. Shoo Fly! Exemplifies Sue North's principles of introducing books at an early age will benefit the children later.

My two year old loves these books. We have Some Sheep and Some Cows and we read them over and over every day. When I saw there were more in the series, I had to get them for her. Some Pigs is another adorable book. It had great illustrations. I've noticed that each book helps teach opposites and prepositions (between, above, etc.). Great books for kids.

My 15 month old daughter loves this book! This one has become a favorite, along with "Some Cows". I also purchased this as well as "Some Sheep" for my nephew who's 27 months old and he loves them as well.

Some Pigs is a terrific little book!

My son loves to read and since he is just entering Kindergarten we are trying to find books with more than 4 pages and more than 3 words on a page. Athough we had to help him with some words (When, Never, etc...) he was able to read this 22 pg book mostly by himself which gives him GREAT confidence. I suggest getting all of the "Some" animal Series (4 books in all). If they aren't reading it yet you know they soon will.

The Storm introduces us to a new book series by Cynthis Rylant, one of my favorite children's authors. We are introduced to Seabold, a seafaring loner (and a dog), the cat Pandora, a lonely keeper of the lighthouse, and three mouse orphans. The text is melodic and never overwrought. The story is sweet, and though filled with virtue it is not moralistic. By the end of the book my son and I wanted to live with the lighthouse family, and share in their new life together. A sweet book, that I read to him, but equally appropriate for a mid-level independent reader. I would think the age group anywhere from 5-10 depending on who is doing the reading, an adult or the child herself.

"The Storm" by Cynthia Rylant is one of the most joyful stories a writer could ever put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to write. Finding Preston McDaniels to illustrate is probably a sign from heaven that this book was meant to be. It is perfect. That simple: "The Storm" is perfect. Because this is a ready-for-chapters book, a beginning reader has the story to practice reading skills. As a bonus, the story is didactic in teaching that solitude comes with a price and that friendship heals loneliness. Even if the young reader does not understand these concepts on a conscious level, surely the subconscious makes that registration.

The adult cannot miss the themes of solitude and friendship and what each bring. This is one of those books that I would like to stand in the foyer of Wal-Mart and hand out to everyone who leaves. Rylant has a soft touch, a magical way with words that go straight to the heart.

In children's books animals are often the characters. Why, you may ask? Studies explain the psychological use and also why they dress as humans. The first main character is Pandora, a cat who has accepted the loneliness that goes with living in a lighthouse, but her sole purpose in life is saving ships from crashing on the rocks. Enter Seabold, a loner dog who loves to sail the seas, who finds safe harbor one stormy night in the seas near Pandora's lighthouse. A dog and a cat living in the same house is difficult at first. He is a salty, crusty old dog, she is neat and tidy, a follower of rules. Their family is made complete with the rescue of three little mice.

Think of it: how incongruous it is that three such disparate sets of persons could make a happy home, but they do. This statement may be a spoiler, but it is not. It is not the make up of the family that this story is about; rather, it is about love and acceptance and kindness and generosity of spirit. Mostly, it is about the magic of love in transforming people, in making them human.

See what I mean. This book needs to be handed out at Wal-Mart. Pay it forward, make the world better. Another of Rylant's magically worded books is "Missing May," a Newbury Award winner. "The Storm" is the first in her Lighthouse Family series. Very highly recommended!

We love all of Cynthia Rylant's books and series of books, and The Lighthouse Family series is our new favorite! We are anxious to read the next book as soon as it comes out so we can know what happens to Pandora the cat, Seabold the dog and their three little mice children. Rylant uses wonderful words in her books, painting a beautiful story of words. (the illustrations in this book are beautiful too!) This is for a little older readers than her Mr. Putter and Tabby, Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, or Little Whistle series, ALL of which I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

The is the first book I have read my Rylant. Being a fan of lighthouses and children's books, I had to check this one out once I saw the cover. I was very impressed. The story is about 2 lonely animals,an adorable sheepdog and kitty cat, who love the sea and develop a deep friendship. They decide to tend a lighthouse together. The illustrations are some of the best I have seen in kids' books. This is definitely a cozy read for bedtime.