Pigs Books

I don't think there a Maisy book that I would give less than 5 stars to! My 2 year old has loved Lucy Cousins books since she was 6 months old. Maisy is simple, sweet and to the point. The fun little mini edition is easy for little hands.

I was skeptical that a full sized Maisy flap book could be reproduced as a miniature, but they actually pull it off. Every time you turn the page, there are 2 - 4 flaps to open, as well as the occasional pull tab. Open the oven to check the cookies, open Maisy's Christmas cards to see who they're from, or peek under the bed covers to find Panda -- they're very creative and not always conspicuous.

As other reviewers have noted, the focus is largely on Maisy buying, wrapping, baking and decorating for when her friends come to visit Christmas morning. Tallulah comes complete with a sparkly silver dress and panties that say "jingle bells" -- one of the more interesting flaps I've seen!

The paper is sturdy, but imho, the flaps tend towards the petite and are a bit on the fragile side -- I'm amazed my rough 2 yr old hasn't ripped any off yet. All in all, though, a thoroughly charming book conveniently sized for a stocking. My daughter *loves* it.

My 2.5 yr old loves this book....It does focus mostly on the material side of the Holiday (much ado is made about getting the presents, wrapping them, making the dinner, the tree etc)....but honestly at this YOUNG age THAT is exactly what makes her so excited about Christmas!!!....You don't need every Xmas book to teach about religion...I think that fact that it DOES center on the stuff that for kids make this time of year so exciting is exactly WHy she loves it so much....

I think it is a very well made book...great colors, flaps and pull tabs.....As an adult , I enjoy reading it to her....

If your child loves Maisy or just Christmas - this is the book for them. Cute lift-flaps and story keep them entertained. My daughter loves to read this one over and over!

This is a good Christmas book for a younger toddler or child. Although it is not a board book, the pages are made of a heavier paper stock and will withstand some abuse. Maisy's Christmas story is consistent with the style of her other books: lots of bold primary colors and simple illustrations that younger children seem to prefer. Throughout the book, there are also flaps to lift and shiny objects. Overall, if you like the Maisy books, I'm sure that you will find this one a good addition to your Christmas collection.

My only mild complaint is that the focus of the book seems to be entirely on the material side of Christmas with presents taking center stage. I know that this book is for very young children, and I'm not suggesting that every book have a heavy handed message, but it would be nice for more books to touch on the larger spirit and message of Christmas.

I checked this book out of the library for my 16 month old son. He absolutly loves this book! It quickly became his "lovey" and he carries it everywhere. So I knew I had to own a copy of this book and have it on hand, before the library's copy was due back! The mice are drawn so cute! There's mice on almost every page, some are bigger and some are smaller. My son points out all the mice on all the pages, even the small somewhat "hidden" mice. They story has great rhyming text, it's great for learning animals too. The story is about pet shop animals and it says how the other animals smell, are loud, or shed...but mice make the best pets! After reading this book, when my son's older...I can see him asking for a pet mouse! Ha ha.

This is one of my son's favorite books. It is very well written and the rhymes in it flow nicely. I recommend this book to anyone with children who are learning to read.

My son Nathan is very stubborn and doesn't like to look at "words"...just pictures. Until now! This book has enticed him to look at the word to tell him about what is going on in the picture. For example one page may say "snake" when you see the snake and another page used the word "boa". So he looks at the letters as clues for what to say....Hooray! He may just read one day afterall! Thanks you.

Beautiful illustrations and great rhyming text! Perfect for beginning readers. BUY IT!

I am a kindergarten teacher. My children look forward to "story time" each day. When I read this book to them, they enjoyed the humor. Now, each day, they want me to read the book again. Also, they ask to borrow the book during "DEAR" time, and read it on their own. This book is fantastic! Thanks you to Charles Ghigna! Not only is he a wonderful children's author but he is also my cousin!

Book was adorable for 1st grade! I bought it to go with Stefanie Harvey's Comprehension Toolkit for Grades K-2.

I used this book to introduce writer's workshop and help my students see that they can write about anything!

Patches Lost and Found tells the story of Jenny and her pet guinea pig, Patches. Jenny, who loves to draw, is assigned to write a story for school. She's nervous about the assignment because she isn't very good at coming up with ideas for stories. When she gets home from school that day, her mother tells her that Patches has escaped from his cage and is missing. They put up posters around town and Jenny draws pictures showing all the things that might have happened to Patches. Luckily, a neighbor finds Patches, but Jenny still hasn't written her story. Later that day her Mom comes into her room and shows her that she can add words to her pictures of Patches to tell a story.

I would recommend this book for ages 6 and 7. Most children in this age group will be able to identify with being nervous about an assignment for school, and they will be reassured that Jenny was able to overcome her difficulties and succeed in writing the story. There are a variety of ways this book could be shared with children in a school setting. It could be read as part of a section on writing stories, with the children later drawing pictures and then writing stories to go along with them. These stories could possibly be the children's own ideas about what could have happened to Patches. Another idea would be to teach the children about guinea pigs, possibly having a real guinea pig in the classroom, and then follow the lesson with this story. The artwork in the book was prepared digitally. Jenny looks like she could be a character in a cartoon on Nickelodeon. Children would find this very appealing. Kids would also enjoy the pictures Jenny draws of Patches because they probably look similar to pictures they would draw themselves. The artwork does a good job of telling the story, showing each picture Jenny draws along the way and then displaying Jenny's story about Patches with the pictures.

This is the perfect book for a teacher to use in the classroom. It helps children understand that when they have to write something, they don't always have to write then draw a picture to go with it, they might do better drawing first then putting words to it later!! The story is realistic and very fun to read with great illustrations!!!!!!!

When Jenny is assigned to write a stroy for school on anything she wants, she doesn't know what to do. Jenny likes to draw, and writing has never been easy for her. When Jenny comes home from school, and her mom tells her Patches is missing, Jenny draws pictures of Patches, and they hung then up all over town. When Jenny is in her room, she draws things that might have happened to Patches. Three days later and still no Patches, and Jenny still has no story.
On Saturday morning Patches is found, but Jenny still has no story. Jenny's mom goes in her room that night while Jenny is cuddling with Patches. Jenny tell her mom she still has no story. Jenny's mom looks on the wall and see's all the pictures she tells Jenny that can be her story all she has to do is add words. So Jenny does and she does a very good job. I would recommend this book for children ages 4-9.

My son loves this book and will get up to re-enact parts of the story. He seems to relate to piglet feeling small.

Poor Piglet, he feels too small to do many things. He is so sad until his friends show him things he can do that help people - like giving hugs! Great for small children. Cute easy to read story for beginning readers.

my 2 year old loves it, she feels like pigglet is small like her and is loved by everyone just like she is loved by her family.

My 5-year old daughter is just learning how to read, and this was the first book I bought her that she could read all the way through on her own. Step Into Reading Step One books have large print, repetition, and only a few words on every page--perfect for a child just in the beginning stages of reading. My daughter was so proud of herself after she read through this story (which, by the way, is very cute--and the illustrations are nice too).

My daughter says: "Piglet is small but he is a big friend."

The message of this book, which is that even if you're small you can do lots of things, will boost a child's confidence even if they can't read the book on their own.

This little book has multiple personalities (in a good way!) On the one hand it has a very nice story about focusing on the positive instead of the negative. For example, at the beginning we find Piglet focusing on the fact that he isn't big enough to climb a tree like Pooh, or bounce high like Tigger. He can't even fly a kite like Christopher Robin.

This makes Piglet (and in turn any small child) sort of sad. Then Pooh tells him, "But look at all that you CAN do." [Book has underlining for 'can'; Amazon does not, so I've capitalized the word.]

Piglet then goes on to remember all of the wonderful things that he can do. He can pick berries, plant seeds, be a help to Rabbit ..., for example. Very nice all in all.

As a reader, on the other hand, it is not quite as good. There is dialog, which a lot of beginning readers have a hard time coping with, as well as some unusual vocabulary such as: bounce, berries, sticks, climb, shouts, sunny, follow-the-leader, always, extra, and mile.

But I don't want to sound too negative. Despite these linguistic hurdles, I think most children who are ready to read will be able to begin to 'read' this book themselves after some repetition. The key is that the story is engrossing, and the pictures extremely good at giving clues about what the words might be.

An example of text follows so you can judge for yourself about the level (from two consecutive pages):

"You can plant seeds,"
says Pooh.

Piglet is a big help
to Rabbit.

Four Stars. Artwork great; covers full page. Good engrossing story for preschoolers with theme of focusing on the positive not the negative. As a reader it's a little difficult. The book is also a little weird in that only the ending pages rhyme.

My four year old daughter loves this book so much that she can recite the story word for word. The rhymes are fun to read and the illustrations are hilarious. The pig's are so expressive that we often add our own comments about what they are thinking while reading the story. I would highly recommend this story!

This was my favorite book as a child, right up there with "But No Elephants", also from the Parents Magazine Press. I had the entire book memorized and now, at 25, I still remember quite a bit of it and think of it often.

I've saved my copy and I can't wait to share it with my children some day. It's a fun rhyming story with wonderfully entertaining pictures.

This book arrived at my home about 20 years ago. My two children absolutely loved it. It has traveled to preschool and school, accompanied us on road trips, and been shared via the babysitting bag and when my daughter worked at a day care. All of us can still recite almost the entire book from memory. The rhyming text helps with prereading skills, and the illustrations are wonderful. This book is one of my family's classics.

My mum read this to me as a child and I still remember it almost word for word. I am now buying for my children 5 yrs and 1 yr and i hope they like it as much. I love this book

My children are 12 and 10 now, but, they still think this book is an awesome book! When I talk of possibly giving it to another younger child in our family, their answer is "No Way"! I have to keep it for their children!

THIS HAS BEEN MY SONS FAVORITE BOOK FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS IT IS VERY COLORFUL A VERY CUTE BOOK THIS IS MY SONS FAVORITE AUTHOR HE LOOKS FOR BOOKS WRITTEN BY HER.

This book is an excellent use of shapes, music, rhyme, rhythm, and just fun! The pigs' bus has an accident and they end up making their gig by hitching a ride on an ice cream truck. My son loves the book. Having taught before I had children, I would have used this book in the classroom paired with the book, Twist with a Burger, Jitter with a Bug by Lowery.

This is a great book to use with students in music. You can talk about the song Blue Suede Shoes as well as all the instuments that the pigs play. The pigs are also easy to draw even for kindergarteners. We made promotion posters showing that the band was coming to town. The rhyme has a great beat and the words are easy enough for little ones to figure out. It's a hit in music class!

Here, we follow this famous band on their tour. They play country, they play rock and roll, they play blues, and everything they play, they play it with their heart and soul. And their loyal fans love them.
Using simple, energetic rhyme, the author brings us into the world of this band, Illustrations are colorful, a combination of art deco style with 1950s space age modern. Plenty of use of geometric forms come into play and color enhances the mood.
Pigs Rock! is a fun, rhyming read, especially for little ones with older siblings who already have favorite bands. Can we next expect a dvd of the Pigs of their performance on tour?

This is a great book that teaches the youngest kids about music and rhyme. It's an easy read for 2-4 age group. Daughter and I love the funny illustrations of those rockin pigs! Its a great addition.

I see that several elementary school age children have great reviews for the Poppleton series, but I just wanted to add that my 3 year old son LOVES these books. They have been a hit since he was 2 1/2 years old. They have provided our family much joy and I'm positive they will do the same for your family. Don't hesitate - get this book (and the first one, and the winter, and the fun books, too).

I am a 2nd grader at an elementary school in Lockport, NY. My name is Anthony. I have read all of the Poppleton books. My favorite book is Poppleton in Fall. The characters are Poppleton, Cherry Sue, and Zacko. The best part is when Poppleton stormed out the door. I hope Cynthia Rylant writes a lot more Poppleton stories!

We are 2nd graders at the Anna Merritt Elementary School in NY. We have read all of the Poppleton books. they like the book Poppleton in Fall the best. The characters are Poppleton, Cherry Sue, and a mouse. Dom's favorite part is when Poppleton chopped down the tree. Katty's favorite part is when Poppleton goes to the pancake place. We hope Cynthia Rylant writes a lot more Poppleton books!

These books are such gems, and Poppleton in Fall is another one. We love these books. They are funny, orginal and very entertaining, great for boys and girls and parents will enjoy reading them as well!

Our names are Anthony, Janae, Danielle, and Nicholas. We are 2nd graders from Lockport, NY. We have read all of the Poppleton books with Ms. Fletcher. The book we liked best is Poppleton in Fall. The characters are Poppleton, Cherry Sue, and Zacko. Anthony's favorite part is when Poppleton stormed out the door. Janae's favorite part is when Poppleton went to the pancake breakfast. Danielle's favorite part is when Poppleton met the geese. Nicholas liked the part when Poppleton ate the pancakes for breakfast. We hope Cynthia Rylant writes a lot more Poppleton books!

I enjoyed the storyline very much, it's great for little girls. Encouraging for big girls too.
The artwork was a joy: creative, subtle and endearing. I particularly enjoyed Phyllis's Titanic pose in the midst of the spring zephyr. I bought five copies as gifts and one to keep.

Susanna Leonard Hill's Punxsutawney Phyllis tells of a groundhog who is not like others: she loves to splash in the cold river and tromp through the snow, and is happy year-round. This Feb. 2nd she's excited about a possible early Spring - but can she awaken old Uncle Phil to make his official Groundhog Day prediction? Jeffrey Ebbeler's whimsical color drawings lend to an inviting story.

Susanna Leonard Hill's Punxsutawney Phyllis tells of a groundhog who is not like others: she loves to splash in the cold river and tromp through the snow, and is happy year-round. This Feb. 2nd she's excited about a possible early Spring - but can she awaken old Uncle Phil to make his official Groundhog Day prediction? Jeffrey Ebbeler's whimsical color drawings lend to an inviting story.

This story is not only charming, but it sends the message that a girl can be anything she wants to be if she only believes in herself. As a mother of two young girls, I am always searching for a book that has this message - and the author does it so beautifully here. My four year old asks for this book to be read several times over each time we read it, which is always a sign that the text is lively and fun. But for me, it is the fact that the main character's wit, perceptions, and trust in her own instincts are the things that lead to her achievements that is the real measure of success in this book. I highly recommend it to all girls.

Young Phyllis the groundhog has a goal: she wants to be the next Punxsutawney Phil, the weather-forecasting groundhog who determines whether or not Spring is on its way. She's been told that no female has ever had that role, and that fact doesn't faze her in the least. She loves the outdoors, and she's got a real talent for reading the signs of Spring. When her Uncle Phil doesn't quite make the right call on Groundhog Day, Phyllis proves to him that she's got what it takes. He officially names her his successor.

This is by far the best Groundhog Day picture book I've seen. The author and illustrator stay true to the facts and give us a beautiful storyline and amusing drawings to go with it. The final page of the book explains the Groundhog Day tradition. Other reviewers see in these pages a message of empowerment for girls; I see an inspiration to youngsters of both sexes to be true to their convictions and talents. And if they have the right stuff, they can succeed at anything.

See my Listmania list for other Groundhog Day recommendations.

I have found that Melinda Copper's approach of using animals in the illustration actually makes the original "unexpurgated" Snow White tale that much more accessible. The illustrations - the clothes, the settings - help put the story in its original context and in the ways of the past. The animals make it fascinating to look at but less frightening than an illustration or photograph of an actual child.

I have enjoyed this tremendously as has my niece.

well,um,i'de have to say this book is pretty well done,especially by that...umm...melinda copper,oh yes,she's the best artist i would have to say,well anyways,i own 20 copies of the book and i read it every night because those bunnies are just so darn cute
buy it or forever be unknowledgable(or be bunny cute free)

I have four grandchildren ages, 2, 3, 4 and six. They (and their parents) all enjoyed the book, especially the illustrations. It was wonderful to revisit the Brothers Grimm version of the story as well as to experience the beautiful full page illustrations. This will be a book that will stay in the family for generations. Melinda Copper is to be congratulated on a wonderful book!

I read this book to the K-1 and 4-5th graders at my daughters school. The children were so captivated by the beautiful illustrations that I had to promise to leave the book in the classroom for the day so they could look more closely at it. Once the children got used to the idea that there is more than one version of this classic, they were excited by the antics of the evil step mother cat! The older children loved the detail of the illustrations and the fact that they could see the texture of the canvas in the pictures. The younger ones were delighted by the hamsters and mice. This book raises the standard of children's book illustrations. It will make a wonderful gift for a child of any age!

Artist Melinda Copper has a unique gift - drawing upon the works of master artists she creates paintings in their style but with her own imprimatur - animals. Her paintings of cats, dogs, rabbits are treasures in themselves, sought after by collectors and art aficionados. Thus, her "Snow White" is a marvel for us to cherish.

Words cannot possibly do justice to the beauty of Copper's paintings - precious, irresistible, heart warming come to mind but they aren't enough to describe the attention to detail and luminosity found in Copper's work.

Of course, the story of Snow White is known to all, but it becomes new again with these meticulously drawn images and glorious full page illustrations.

Highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke

When I was little my dad purchased this book for me and it remains one of the few that were never written on, torn, scuffed or destroyed in some manner as children tend to do with books and toys over time. I really cherished it and still do.

The story itself is about a pig with a blanket full of characters that come to live and dance and play with the little pig. The blanket characters themselves seem to be a nod toward the story of Noah's Ark, so the book is usually something familiar for even little kids. The illustrations are colorful and unique--I often find myself simply looking at the pictures rather than reading the story.

It is unfortunate this book is no longer in print, but it would certainly be worthwhile to purchase it used. And as a side note, if you're ever reading this book to children or having them read it to you, it's fun to have them pick out the ladybugs on each page (there is one on just about all of them)--participation will keep kids engaged!

We picked this up as a used book 12 years ago, and all of our children have loved this. Its symbols (magic blanket, ark, rainbow) and story convey a sense of magic and such a loving home with Snuggle Piggy's Aunt Daisy. This is a wonderful bedtime book with how charming and calming it is.

I first read this book to my daughter many years ago. It quickly became one of my favorites. The first and formost reason being that I also owned a magic blanket when I was a young boy, and my second daughter would never let go of her "Blue Case" a pillow case she took everywhere. The charm of Snuggle Piggy and his blanket was genuine, the illustrations very personnel and true to feelings. The eyes of Snuggle Piggy just broke your heart as he saw his blanket get tossed to and fro by the mean thunder storm. There was love, turmoil and a happy ending, complete with a rainbow and good friends. Any child with a blanket or close stuffed animal friend will enjoy and identify with Snuggle Piggy and the Magic Blanket.

My four kids have all loved this book and have heard it hundreds of times. My eldest now reads it to the youngest. With all the reading it has endured our copy is tattered and raggedy. I want to get another copy to keep on the shelf...for my children's children.

In this story a small pig gets a majic banket and likes it alot. The animals and people on this blanket come alive at nigt . They play with him and he loved it. Then once his aunt washed it by the river. It began to rain and piggy ran into the night . He brought it back and put it by the fire and played with his friends.I loved this book(not realy)but yea !