Pig Books

very cute; my 3 month old grandson loved the finger puppet. It really caught his attention

This is a great little book to share with an infant. The books are short enough to hold the childs attention while the finger puppets are a great way for the child to associate the characters in the book with something tangible.

Yet another library book that we got out so many times for my son, that we decided to buy it. Philemon Sturges is one of my son's favourite authors. Fully recommend this book. It is one of the less wearisome books to read over and over. Should have bought the hard cover instead!!

This is a great present for children (up to about 7 years old) who love pirates. The rhyming story is simple and fun. It follows the rhyme-scheme of "This Little Piggy." The artwork is terrific. The pictures are paper cutouts, expertly designed. Parents will enjoy rereading this one to their young mateys. On each new reading, parents and children will discover more hidden treasures in the artwork.

This is too funny! The kids @ school loved it!!!

I currently work with a group of 4-9 year olds and it is very difficult to get them to agree on an activity, however, when I brought them The Three Little Cajun Pigs one day, there was no problem. They all enjoyed playing with M'sieur Cocodrie as each of them received a turn at passing him through the slit pages. They all sat in suspense as I continued to read the story. I contacted the publisher and I was informed that an audio cassette will be out soon, and yes, of course, it will be filled with a rich cajun atmosphere! Well, I can't say anymore but, this is a great book (and cassette) and will become an instant winner in your home, school or club.

I love books like this that have so many pictures that when I am too tired to read to my daughter verbatim, I can just tell her the story in my own words!

The pigs are all brothers who move away from their mother when she tells them "This house is too small for all of us. It is time for you piglets to go out into the world and make homes for yourselves." The piglets pack up their suitcases, say good-bye to their mother and head down different paths. Well, we all know the story but I must say the wolf illustrations are hilarious! My daughter laughs out loud when I pretend I am the wolf and say "then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll BLOW your house in!"

The ending is particularly entertaining when the wolf gets to the last little pig who was a smart, hard-worker who wisely built his house composed of brick (quite a nice pad by the way!) Interestingly, I don't remember the ending quite like this--it is even better! Don't hestiate to get this book! It is a treat! Fourty-six illustrations in a 32 page book--some of them full page spreads--Wow!

It doesn't say, but I think he calls his mother regularly and misses his brothers too! (Oh so many morals hidden to teach your child! I love books that entertain and teach! That ought to be a law! LOL!)

Great job Aurelius! Thank you!

This is a fairly traditional telling of the classic story, though I don't remember two pigs being eaten and the wolf landing in a pot of boiling water. The (uncredited) writing is fluid and well paced, but Aurelius Battaglia's illustrations make this a great book. The detailed pictures, laid out in panel style (a la comic strips) are vivid and humorous. The sequences showing the wolf getting ready to blow down the houses are particularly imaginative and funny. 29 pages, with lots of pictures, and a subtle message about the rewards of hard work and brick. Recommended!

the book taught me a lot of morals. The book was very interesting and it was easy to read with a lot of good messages. I know that i wont ever mess with another wolf with so much breath again. Why are pigs so mean? He just wanted a place to stay and a warm meal...

This is the classic story-version where the first two pigs areeaten by the wolf. What makes this version so very special are thewonderful light-hearted illustrations. I am a kinder teacher and this version can't help but to engage my students. Trust me, your kids will love it!

Narrated by Holly Hunter, the tape is a hoot! Very funny, very engaging.

An outstanding audiocassette, beautiful illustrations in the book; wonderful slant on the original fairy tale. Equally enjoyed by parents and children. Our 2 1/2 year old spontaneously quotes humorous lines from the story. Great for car rides.

The best book out of all the fiction books I ever read. Wished that the book did not have to end.It is a realy good book to read. Read it and you will find out for your self that you wished that the book would not end like I did.

I realy liced this boke my mommy reeds it too mee alot. espeshily at bed time

If the cataloging does not characterize `The Three Pigs, Business School, and Wolfe Hash Stew' as a one-of-a-kind children's book, then the biblical quote, the discrete reference to Bo Diddley, or the extraordinary illustrations certainly does. The cataloging of `The Three Pigs, Business School, and Wolfe Hash Stew' reveals a great deal about Matthew S. Field's second, unique, children's book:

1. Fairy tales-Adaptations. 2. Family-Juvenile fiction. 3. Education-Juvenile fiction. 4. Professions-Juvenile fiction. 5. Choice (Psychology)-Juvenile fiction. 6. [Choice-Fiction. 7. Family-Fiction.].

This entry in the fractured fairytale category is the story children have heard from their parents or grand parents, but Field adds a few additional dimensions. First, the story reveals more about the three pigs' lives before building their homes. The reader meets the three pigs' parents, Mother Sow and Father Boar. The home where the three pigs live is one which emphasizes love, appreciation of beauty, respect for ones' self and body, sympathy for others, and education. (How about that for a foundation of values for a 21st century world?) As the three pigs grow, each excels in school and continues to college and graduate school. The first pig goes to medical school, the second pig goes to law school, and the third pig goes to business school. When each graduates with and goes to work, each builds a house. Predictably, the first pig builds a straw house. The second builds a stick house. And, the third pig builds a brick house.

A story that targets children between the ages of 4- and 8-years old, the ideas like graduate school may seem a little "heavy" for the younger reader. However, Field broaches this and other ideas delicately and matter-of-factly, as if performing well in school and going to college are common and expected as taking music lessons, going to sports practices, or caring about others. So, in a very unobtrusive way, Field establishes for the young reader the expectation of doing well in school, going to college, and becoming a productive member of the community.

In addition to what may be the first moral of `The Three Pigs, Business School, and Wolfe Hash Stew,' the second appears to be, whatever else you do, have a some understanding of business management. As Field writes, "It is just as true in fairytales as it is in real life: sometimes, bad things happen to good pigs." While Field makes a clear suggestion of the identity of "B.B. Wolfe," he could be anything from a bully on the playground to devastating flood. Field makes a clear implication; regardless of the other good a person (or a pig) does in the world, be prepared for anything.

The Biblical reference is a New Testament quotation from Matthew, Chapter 7 and Verse 6 and aptly applies perhaps to those who may misinterpret the story as being derogatory toward doctors or lawyers or any other group: "Do not give to dogs what is holy, neither cast your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet and turn to tear you." The "swine" and "dogs" also fit nicely with the "pigs" and the "wolf" in the story. The Bo Diddley reference is sort of an homage to a musical legend whose "Bo Diddley Beat" inspired the song "Willie and the Hand Jive," which make reference to "a doctor and a lawyer and an Indian chief," from which Field likely drew upon his spin on the classic fairytale. There is actually a visual reference to Bo Diddley in one of Tom Hedderich's illustrations. While a child reader will certainly not appreciate some of these obscure references, their very inclusion makes the story more fun for the parent who reads the story to a child or group of children.

And finally, to make `The Three Pigs, Business School, and Wolfe Hash Stew' even more interesting, there is an unusual misprint on the dust jacket of the first edition that makes this children's book not only quite entertaining, but also quite collectible.

Author Matthew S. Field and illustrator Tom Hedderich, who gave us the memorable and popular FATHER LIKE A TREE book for adults and children to share equally, have succeeded in producing another beautiful volume in time for the holiday gift thinker's list. Based on the ages old story of the Three Little Pigs, Field has updated the story about choices and consequences and the integrity of the family, bringing it not only fully into the present time, but also 'translating' a children's tale into a sound and sensitive parable about goals and rewards.

THE THREE PIGS, BUSINESS SCHOOL AND WOLFE HASH STEW visits the family of the three little pigs headed by Mother Sow and Father Boar who encourage their beloved three 'boys' to learn art, music, gymnastics, and respect for their bodies, preparing them for the world outside. After successful schooling, each of the three brothers is off to pursue careers - a doctor, a lawyer, and a businessman. Of course these three little pigs become happy older men, each building a house unique to his needs: a straw house, a stick house, and a brick house. And of course out comes B.B. Wolfe, sort of an evil 'tax collector' type, who visits each pig and after encounters, makes good on his threat to blow the houses down - except of course the brick house, a fortress so protected that even climbing down the chimney places the bad Wolfe in a 'stew'. And the three brother pigs gather inside the surviving brick house, joined in trust, family bonding, and appetite for Wolfe hash stew!

Tom Hedderich's illustrations are artworks worthy of hanging. Not only does he capture the 'flavor' of the story, he has created wonderful updated images of the present day pig tale. The book will delight children who cannot read because the pages are so rich in fine illustration: naturally, the message will gradually seep into their minds and probably encourage questions from the reading adult...which is, after all, part of the agenda of well told fairy tales.

Bound to gather awards for both story and art, this is a book to add to the collection of many a family both for holidays and throughout the year. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, November 07

It's a gripping yet heartwarming story with memorable characters. The pictures are wonderfully wild, colorful, and expressive. The book captures the delight of making music.

Ella Fitzgerald once said, 'It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.' This story has got it!

Satch, Mo and Ella are cool pigs, so when Wolfie shows up for the Big pig Gig ready to eat meat, they can smell him coming - and they have a plan. The wolf is the 'baddest cat to walk the land' and also has the baddest breath and no friends: can the swinging pigs teach him something? Large, colorful drawings by Rhode Montijo enhance a colorful tale.

Toby is friends with a bluebird named Bob and wishes he could fly with him. Bob agrees to a ride, but no matter what Toby tries, he's too heavy. The two become disappointed until they receive some helpful advice from Toby's father.

A great story about using your talents to to have fun. The illustrations are warmly colored and extremely cute. The story is simple but enjoyable. An excellent addition to the Toby set.

My 2 year old daughter considers this Toby classic a "favorite" in her library! Toby and his friend Bob learn the importance of working individually as well as in a team environment. This book reminds toddlers that each of us have special gifts and talents and we need to look inside ourselves to see what we do best. I also love that this book shows Toby & Bob reaching out to one another to share their gifts (even if it doesn't always work out as planned)!