Pig Books

I bought this book for my 1st grade daughter. She wanted chapter books. She is not too much interested in reading by herself but with this book not only she reads but she wants to keep reading to find more about the story. Plus the illustrations are nice and funny. I am on Amazon tonight to buy the other 3 books. In fact, I suggest buying this Mercy Watson: Princess in disguise first and if you like it then the box has the other 3 titles. Its more for K-1, it might be easy for 2nd graders. Hopefully the author will come out with more soon.

This is a great addition to the DiCamillo series for early readers. I've been recommending Mercy to every teacher and parent I know. Lots of humor, great story lines and characters, and delightful illustrations. A wonderful book for developing readers. More Mercy please.

Every parent/child should know Kate DiCamillo, a wonderful author with fabulous books. Mercy Watson books are so cute.

We loved this one so much that we went out to the library the next day to find the others. My son read them in no time and wanted to read them over again-something he hasn't wanted to do in a long time. Love it!!!!

My 7 year old daughter received the first book in the series last year for Christmas and she has been hooked ever since. It was the one thing that she asked Santa for this year. The books are funny, lighthearted with a heart warming heroine.

I'd buy this book for the marvelous artwork. Ms. Burgin's images manage the right balance between spooky and reassuring. And they are beautiful in themselves. The story, by Ms. Waite, is mysterious enough for a child, but not too scary for a very young one. All told, a marvelous book that doesn't talk down to its readers (or viewers) and - thank goodness - doesn't dwell on (gag) "self-esteem."

Most reviewers mention 2-3 years olds loving this book. I first came across this book when I was home schooling my first grade granddaughter. We also checked it out of the library more than once. (She now attends public school and is in the third grade.) My memory of the book was so fond I felt I had to own a copy for myself. I know she will be surprised and delighted to see it again and I look forward to reading it to my great grandchildren.

My 2 and 4 year old daughters love this book. We have taken it out of the library so many times, that it's time to own it. The illustrations are beautiful.

This book is an absolute classic. All my kids loved it and we are keeping if for the grandchildren. I plan to purchase more to spread its magic a little further among my near and dear. BUY THIS BOOK!

Both of my children, ages 4 and 2, really enjoy this book. They have fun finding the owl on each page and anticipate the story climax each time.

I purchased this book for our assistant-principal who had just been named as a principal. It is a light-hearted book perfect for the occasion!

I thought this book was precious. I loved the anticipation Hamlet felt waiting to see if the students reached their goal. I loved how the pig fell in love with the principal after the kiss. It was cute as could be, and I know that students will enjoy reading it.

(I have worked with a principal who kissed a pig after the students successfuly raised/collected one million pennies.She kept her promise. I hope the pig felt the same way about her.)

Carl DiRocco illustrates the rollicking story of a principal who promises to kiss a pig if his students read lots of books. Good reading skills will help young picturebook fans enjoy this zany and entertaining story of a pig-kisser, which is based on a true story.

Frank Hodge , Children's Literature Specialist,
Hodge-Podge Books, Albany, New York

Ms. Juliet, the narrator just happens to have a pig she received from her aunt, an English teacher. The pig is named Hamlet. And now the fun begins. Poor Hamlet's balloon speeches are adaptations of words from Shakespeare - with no apologies to Will - "To kiss, or not to kiss, The principal in school? Why choose a pig to be their fool?" Get your laugh machine ready. It is wonderful.

Ah, Hamlet. A tragic lover with unrequited ardor, and a hero who uses passionate poetic verse to express himself. Shakespeare's Hamlet? No. Kalli Dakos' Hamlet. He's a pig (literally) and the lead character in a new children's book called Our Principal Promised to Kiss a Pig.

In this new book, the principal (Ms. Juliet) wants her students to read 10,000 books. Quite a feat. If they do, she'll kiss a pig. But Hamlet is not a willing subject in this game. "To kiss, or not to kiss, the principal in school? Why choose a pig to be
their fool?"

Paraphrasing the English playwright/poet/actor is an excellent balance to the narrator's easy tone and simple words.

If the child asks, "Is that poetry?" and the parent replies that it comes from Shakespeare - what better way to get both parents and children interested in learning more?

I highly recommend this book to children of all ages (that includes parents).

Reviewed by Cayden (age 3-1/2), Max (age 19-months) Aures and Mom for Reader Views (4/08)

In "Owen's Marshmallow Chick" the main character Owen is a mouse who loves candy! On Easter morning he wakes up to a basket full of jelly beans, gumdrops, buttercream eggs, a chocolate bunny and a marshmallow chick. He proceeds to eat everything in the basket proclaiming each item to be his "favorite" as he is wolfing it down. When he gets to the marshmallow chick he hesitates and instead of eating it decides to play with it all day instead. At bedtime he carefully places the chick up on his toy shelf with all of his other favorite things.

Cayden: "He is jumping up and down because he is so happy he got all of that candy in his Easter basket from the Easter bunny!"
Max: "Chocolate!"

Cayden: "He dropped some of his candy on the floor."
Max: "Fall! Fall!"

Cayden: "Why is he eating everything? His tummy is going to hurt from all that sugar!"

Cayden: "He should have eaten some healthy food too and only had one candy from his basket every day."

Cayden: "Why is he playing with that chick? It is candy, not a toy."

Parent's comments:

"Owen's Marshmallow Chick" is a fun Easter board book. Max made a game out of pointing out the marshmallow chick on each page before we could continue reading the book. The text is very simple and has a lot of repetition which is perfect for a young child. The illustrations are very engaging and did a great job at conveying the emotions that Owen was feeling. This book would be a great surprise to stick in any young child's Easter basket!

This is the type of book that little ones will fall in love with. It is a simple and sweet story. The pictures are simple yet colorful enough to hold their attention. I highly recommend this book!

This is a very cute boardbook for small children. It is great for Easter but can be enjoyed all year.

Anyone who grew up finding marshmallow chicks in their Easter basket can relate to this story. When i was a kid they were yellow. Now these chicks come in all colors. I am a kindergarten teacher. My students loved this book. Now, one child takes it home with an Owen plush and a plastic egg with a marshmallow chick inside. They don't know what color their chick is until they get home. I provide a journal for them to document the color, write a story about their visit with Owen and draw a picture. They LOVE it!

This story is a perfect read for Easter or any time of the year! While my child loves to bite the head off of his marshmallow chicks, he could understand Owen's attachment to the treat. Owen projects his emotional attachment of his favorite blanket onto the marshmallow chick (that is the same color as his blanket)and doesn't gobble it up like his other holiday treats. This ending is absolutely priceless and we read this story at least once a week. Since there is no focus on spirituality or religion in this board book, it would be appropriate in a home of any faith (especially with those who are fans of marshmallow chicks!). Highly recommended!

I grew up in neighboring Illinois not far from `Pig Boy'. So, in reading this lovely memoir I found myself transported back into my own childhood memories of growing up. I was tired of reading at the time and therefore hesitant to give this memoir a chance. When I finished, I found that the author had reignited my passion for reading. This memoir will make you want to read again...to write again. The author truly captured the very humorous and.... yes poignant business of growing up, families and the unique value that every person brings to this world. Get this book, you will be glad you did.

There is a distinct nostalgia in Pig Boy's Wicked Bird. The peculiar power in this depiction of an American family is relevant to anytime, place, or condition. The author uses beautiful language and rhythmical sentences to creat a compact telling of this humorous and poignant memoir. The business of living can be lonely. The reader can make profitable use of the insights illuminated throughout this story.

First of all, I really enjoyed this book. I was skeptical going in, thinking it was just another outbreak in the rash of memoirs that has erupted on the best seller lists. This one is different. On the surface, it's a coming of age story, a story about self worth, self awareness, and the impact of family (the family in question being "the seven D's" - all of Doug Crandell's brothers, sisters, and even his parents have names that start with D.) But it turns out that what the story is really about is the three D's: disability, disfigurement, and just being different.

Two of the author's fingers are essentially severed in a childhood farming accident, leaving the boy disabled, disfigured and different. This leads to an awareness and an appreciation of those three D's -- that turn out to be everywhere in young Crandell's world: his mother who is "no longer a woman" due to a hysterectomy, a man with cerebral palsy who connects with the author, the runt pigs destined to be destroyed but saved by Crandell, a grandmother with a humped back, a sister with scoliosis, even the oldest brother is left changed by a never fully explained abduction reminiscent of Mystic River. (Most everyone in the book is marked in some critical, defining, and not always obvious way. Some, like the landlord's son, are, to quote John Lennon, crippled inside.)

Sherwood Anderson and his collection of grotesqueries, Winesburg, Ohio is the influence pointed out by Doug Crandell for helping him sort out his confused world of being marked different as well as leading him on the path to becoming a writer. What I noticed were the influences of William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and in particular Carson McCullers. For a story of the Midwest, Pig Boy's Wicked Bird has a distinct Southern Gothic feel. (One person's physical characteristics are described as "crooked," "twisted," and "warped" in the space of a single paragraph). Like The Member of the Wedding, or even Truman Capote's Other Voices, Other Rooms, these disabled, disfigured, and different people will live with you forever.

There is a wealth of people out there who have grown up in a family that doesn't seem just right. Television for a lack of decent material exploits the dysfunctional family as it exaggerates the flaws of family life in America. "Pig Boy's Wicked Bird" by Doug Crandell tells a different side of the story. Yes, life is full of absurdity and tragedy but what comes out of this book is a recollection of our own past growing up and as weird as it seemed...it was wonderful too. Intelligently written and a delight to read I give it 2 thumbs up and a nub for good measure! This is a great life story!

Doug Crandall, former little Pig Boy of the Heartland, brings us a heart-rendering, oftentimes snorting food-out-the-nose-from-laughing memoir of friendship with farm animals and dealing with life's tragedys. Poetically written by the now grown up Mr. Crandall, even city girls like me can appreciate his love of family, roots and Jimmy Carter. If you love crusty old men, goofy dogs and little piglets, you'll love this story as I did.

Was extrememly helpful on giving me insight how to help prevent unruly behavior. Being as pigs are extremely intelligent animals with good memories - it is best to mold their behavior as they grow. We have just started teaching obedience. I have obedience trained dogs in the past, but have found (through this book) teaching a pig is quite different. We have started the basic training and are looking forward to teaching tricks - it helps build a relationship with these beloved animals. This book along with The Complete Guide for the Care and Training of Pet Potbellied Pigs - Revised Edition have helped me immensely. We plan to enjoy our pig for years to comeand feel this book will help us accomplish that.

So well written! If you are considering or own a piggy it is a must read. Images are fabulous! Information is priceless and clear cut. Very happy to have made this small investment. Thank you, Nellie and Valentine Piggers:-)

Well worth the money for new pig owners or people thinking of adopting one. Read it before the pig comes home with you!

I like this book. Detailed helpful information for the pet pig owner. Buy this book.

This book is a great addition to have in your library if you own a potbellied pig. I want the best for my pbp and so I have quite a few books on the porkers. It has a great section of tips listed A-Z. Also, the behavior section is good. I especially like the colored pictures of all the little piggies.=)

Santa Mouse is a classic childern's story that still holds up well today. This book is a timeless and wonderful story of a little mouse that thinks enough to give Santa a present. Because of his thoughtfulness Santa asks him to be his helper. Because of his thoughtfulness the story as great meaning at this or anytime of year. The illustration are just as good as the story. If you can find the book buy it. You will not be disappointed. Makes an even better gift and chances are whom you may be giving the book to does not own this wonderful story. Appropriate for childern ages 1-8.

I got this book as a present was I was a kid and absolutely loved it. Now I have a tradition. Whenever a friend of mine has a baby, I give them a copy of this book. That way even more kids can come to love Santa Mouse, just like I did.

This is my favorite Christmas poem after "Twas the Night Before Christmas"! I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is a family favorite. The mouse is so cute. It is a story of gift-giving. How wonderful for Christmastime.

I have been reading this book every Christmas since I was a kid. Every year I leave a piece of cheese for Santa Mouse along with the cookies for Santa Claus. You and your children will treasure this heart warming story for life!

Santa Mouse has traveled with our family for over 30 years. Through joy, triumph, tragedy, births and deaths every Christmas we would break it out. As life has grown and expanded us we have all continued to return each year, gather together and read our beloved Santa Mouse. It has been a missel of love, memories and treasured times that has woven through our lifes like a thread of gold. A wonderful addition to any special Christmas library. Why we just finished it for the 34th time!

There are a lot of books that our kids ask us to read over and over, but there aren't that many that we ask them if they want to hear again. Tightrope Poppy will have both parents and kids asking for another read.

This isn't just a book about a pig who fails and has to pick herself up and try again. This is a story about a pig who thinks she is very good at what she does, and fails spectacularly and publicly, so her inner sense of failure is compounded by massive embarrassment. A lot of us parents will see ourselves in Poppy's place, but seeing it from another perspective is as good for us as the story is for our kids.

The rhymes are clever and fun, and the style of the artwork is a perfect complement for Poppy's personality. Tightrope Poppy works so well on so many levels it has quickly become a family favorite in our house.

This book is a favorite with my children, their friends, and all the adults who read it at storytime. We recommend it to everyone out there!

Who doesn't need a perky pig in their lives? Poppy is the perfect pick-me-up! Not perfect herself, Poppy perseveres and becomes a tightrope star. It's great for kids to see that you can try something, fail (in front of large crowds, no less), fail again (did I mention the large crowds?) and again, and ultimately succeed. An important message in our instant gratification society.

Move over, Wilbur and Olivia. There's a new pig in town.

You're not likely to forget this porker. Poppy perseveres and reminds us all of that old standby: If at first you fall off the high wire, get your cute, curly tail right back up there.

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen is an author to watch. She has a natural, funny sense of rhyme that delights children and doesn't nauseate adults.

This is one great book.

A sweet, funny, and uplifting story, TIGHTROPE POPPY is a hit at our house!

Our son, 3 1/2, LOVES this book. He is into anything that is scary...but doesn't want to be scared (if that makes sense). Like Scooby Doo...starts off scary, but there is always a reason, nothing supernatural! Terrific illustrations, educational and surprising! Fun book to read for the adults too. The type of book that you notice something new each time you read! Adorable!

this book is so much fun! my kindergarten class loved it! perfect for halloween!!!!

This book is creepy throughout, yet is cute. The mice-like animals are spooked, but the resolution is fun.

There is a stress on colors and like-sounding words, so it's perfect for a toddler (learning colors) or young child, learning to read.

Another favorite of my boys.

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We purchased the Beasty Story before we had children. Now that we have children we love it even more! I love the flow of the story and the illustrations as well. My 2.5 year old understands the surprise humor and laughs hardy each time we read this book. It's different than some of Bill Martin, Jr's other work, but is wonderful. Don't miss this!

I am at Amazon to buy this book as we have run into our renewal limit at the Library. The rhyming cadence of this story is reminiscent of other Martin titles, and it makes the reading enjoyable for us as parents as well!

This has become a favorite, and the build up to the "And Grabs Him!" page is a nightly family ritual filled with giggles from Mom, Dad AND our daughter! Love it! We will be in our twilight years looking back fondly at this book!

This book is great for ages 3-7. Dumpy wants to be a dancer but no one thinks he should be because he is a pig. This book has very good illustrations and is very easy to read. At the end EVERYBODY starts to dance! That is why we gave it five stars.

I have given this book several times to children in the 6-8 year range and all have enjoyed it thoroughly (especially children who like to dance). The verse is delightful, the animals charming, and the message is very positive. If you want to give a gift but are afraid that the child has many of the older classic picture books, this one is a great choice.

This is a great book for kids, adults and music lovers. The story is a good lesson in believing in your dreams and trying to achieve them! Despite who you are or what you are, you can do most anything. This story has become one of our family favorite read-aloud books! Buy one for your favorite music teacher, too!

Dumpy La Rue is a fun book. I read it to a group of third graders and they loved the rhyming words and thought of more that would rhyme with them. The loved the pictures as well as the story. They wanted me to read it to them again and again!

Let me explain to you the process that I follow when I review picture books. First, I read tons of professional reviews of the newest books coming out. Then I systematically make a list and work my way through it, often including old standbys and books from my own youth that I'd like to reexamine. THEN I finally check out a book or two and review it for fun. I almost never deviate from this pattern except on special occasions. Such an occasion arose just the other day when I was pawing through my local library. I was in a new library attempting to find some of the books on my list when the title, "Dumpy La Rue" caught my eye. I'd never heard of "Dumpy La Rue". I was familiar with the illustrator Betsy Lewin (of "Click Clack Moo" and "Duck For President" fame) but not author Elizabeth Winthrop. But one glance on the cover of a delightful pig in a spotlight and I was sold. I mean, with a title like "Dumpy La Rue" and a fun frolicsome pig, how could I resist? Out the window goes my careful selection process. Into my home comes "Dumpy La Rue".

The first sentence of the book sums it up. "Dumpy La Rue wanted to dance". Of course, Dumpy has a couple facts not in his favor. First of all he's a pig. As his father is quick to inform him, "Pigs don't dance". Second, he's a boy. His sister points out that "They fight, they march, they sport, and they snort. And they're never ever supposed to cavort". None of this discourages Dumpy one little bit. Soon he's dancing in full view of the entire barnyard (much to the embarrassment of his family members). Before you know it the sheep want to join in. Then everyone wants to. Instructing them to listen to the music inside everyone closes their eyes and does so. Before you know it everyone's in on the act, even Dumpy's ma, pa, and sister. Says the last sentence in the book, "The Barnyard Ballet of Dumpy La Rue. The pig who knew what he wanted to do".

The story's got a catchy rhyming beat that difficult to resist. Winthrop also knows exactly which dance terms to include. For those with a basic background in ballet, note the phrase, "He did a glissade and pas de bourree. From slop heap to bucket, he jeted his way". I advise you to help kids learning to read with that part (and to learn the pronunciation of the French yourself if you've a mind to). As catchy as the words are, however, they're nothing compared to Lewin's illustrations. You know, I liked "Click Clack Moo", but I always felt that Lewin's accompanying pictures were the weak point of that tale. They lacked a kind of verve and technical accomplishment. Had I but known that she was capable of the kind of fabulous energy and bounce found in "Dumpy La Rue" I would have definitely taken her to task. In this book Lewin has gone all out. From the sheep chorus line on the endpapers to the lengthening shadows on the dancing animals throughout the day, Lewin's got it going on. She uses watercolors to give the night sky behind the barnyard dance a kind of blue/purple distinctness. I've never seen her give such great movement and character to her drawings before. Heck, if you can look at the adorable title page containing a smiling Dumpy La Rue perched on a sign and NOT want to read this book then you're a hard hard case.

The message I can take or leave. Stories about "being yourself" abound and this one's hardly any different. Far better (and worth the price of the book alone) are Betsy Lewin's illustrations. I kid you not, they're the best dancing animal illustrations I've ever seen. I know that Steven Kellogg wrote a fairly similar story to this one recently about a dancing cow ("Clorinda") so you might consider pairing the two together. Both have their charms, but "Dumpy La Rue" includes an entire barnyard conglomeration of dancing animals. Few books can boast as much. Few books are as good as this.