Editorial Review

Although this book was around when many of today's parents wereyoungsters, it has remained a steadfast must-have in every toddler's library. For starters, it's a great vocabulary guide that names the many things that go (and some that haven't a prayer of going, but are great fun to imagine anyway). It's also teeming with detail-rich scenes and characters on every page, teaching children the rewards of looking long and closely (such as finding the hidden "Goldbug" in each spread). Along the way it entertains with the silly and slapstick--everything from toothpaste and toothbrush cars to six fire department vehicles that show up to extinguish a ladybug-size fire in a miniature pink convertible. What's most amazing about this book, however, is its longevity. When you purchase it for your fledgling talker, you should consider it an investment. Even 11-, 12-, and 13-year-olds are known to pore over the book nostalgically, cooing at Lowly Worm and eagerly tracking Officer Flossie's book-long chase after that irresponsible, speedster driver in a cowboy hat. (Ages 2 and older) Read more

Reviews (86)

A Scarry Classic
I first read this book to my daughter 22 years ago. It was her favorite, and alas it wore out. Searching to find Goldbug on each and every page was the most fun, and the verse was very entertaining as we did so. It helped teach her words, spelling and all about the different ways to get from here to there. I just reordered a copy to surprise her for Christmas, as she prepares to start her own family. I highly recommend this book by one of the most beloved children's authors.

Simply outstanding
I grew up with Richard Scarry books, including the now out-of-print "Busy Busy World."For some reason I had forgotten what a gem this is.Any child will delight in it, and for parents it is so nice to have a book that can be different every time you read it, as most of our books are read over, and over, and over.

My son's absolute favorite book
My son (21 months and obsessed with cars and trucks) asks to read his "cars and trucks book" every single day. It seems like every time we read it, we find something new. Great for keeping kids engaged, and the photos are excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Automobiles    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Transportation    9. Transportation - General    10. Trucks    11. Vehicles    12. Juvenile Fiction / General    13. Juvenile fiction    14. Things that go   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (18)

Love the lipstick!
My four year old loves the Olivia books, and we couldn't wait to get this one.We laughed the whole way through, especially when she put on the lipstick.Hooray for Olivia!

Olivia Mails It In (or Falconer Mails It In) Your choice.
My son enjoys the Olivia series immensely. "Missing Toy" and "Saves The Circus" are on their second copies at my house due to the wear and tear of the originals. We looked forward to "Forms A Band" and were delighted to finally get it at our local bookstore. Disappointed at the results puts it mildly. It is a disjointed mess, with a terrible ending (and if the end is political message, that is just awful and inappropriate)Olivia has lost her edge which is why we love her and the imagination scenes showed none, which is unusual for this series. Ours lasted two reads before it was pushed aside for one of the vibrant other Olivia books. I would buy this book only to complete a collection and nothing more. It is terrible. I would give it 0 stars if I could.

Olivia Forms a Band
These were purchased for my grandchildren. They love all of the Olivia books- this one
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Fiction    5. Holidays & Celebrations - Other, Nonreligious    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Marching bands    9. Performing Arts - Music    10. Pigs    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs   

Editorial Review

"There has obviously been some kind of mistake," writes Alexander T.Wolf from the pig penitentiary where he's doing time for his alleged crimes of 10 years ago. Here is the "real" story of the three little pigs whose houses are huffed and puffed to smithereens... from the wolf's perspective. This poor, much maligned wolf has gotten a bad rap. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, with a sneezy cold, innocently trying to borrow a cup of sugar to make his granny a cake. Is it his fault those ham dinners--rather, pigs--build such flimsy homes? Sheesh.Read more

Reviews (124)

The True Story Of The Three Little Pigs
The true story of the three little pigs is about a wolf who needed a cup of sugur for his grandma's birthday cake.The wolf was also sick.So the wolf went to the first house.It was made of hay.The wolf said hello is any body there?
The True Story of The Three Little Pigs
Jon Scieska wrote the book The True Story of The Three Little Pigs.The genre of this book is Fiction.In the book,there are four main characters.They are Alexander,and the three little pigs.
AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT
This is a wonderful, delightful and simply funny off take on the old three little pigs story.It is told by the wolf and the story is through his eyes.Now whether you choose to believe his story or not, is completely up to you.The wolf is able to tell a pretty convincing tale, but you just don't really know.This story could be pulled from the newspaper of any of our large city papers today.The author has a true wit about his writing that is appealing to bothyoung and old.The art work is great and fits quite well with the text.Recommend this one quite highly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Animals - Wolves    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Pigs    10. Wolves    11. Animal stories    12. Animals    13. Fairy tales, folk tales, fables, magical tales & traditional stories    14. Farm & working animals    15. General & Literary Fiction    16. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations    17. Picture books   

Editorial Review

Olivia would be Read more

Reviews (115)

Oh, those pictures
I bought this for my five year old, and wish I bought it when she was a little younger. Despite the simple story line, she still likes to look at it, and I hope it's a book that will help her on the way to reading.
Great Board Book
I purchased this book for my 1-year old daughter.Olivia is such a cute little character.The story is simple and my daughter enjoys this book.Recommend to anyone with a young daughter!

We've Got a Winner!!
What a nice little book for kids.No big bad wolves. No mean kids.No mean grown-ups.No one is abandoned or lost.No name-calling.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Behavior    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Fiction    6. Health & Daily Living - Daily Activities    7. Human behavior    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Pigs    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Animal stories    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (15)

A lesser spinoff from "If You Give a Pig a Pancake", but my daughter still loves it!
Our first "If you give" book was the "Pancake" title. It was an instant hit with my daughter. We moved on to "Party". It is definitely good and entertaining, but it definitely reads and feels like a spinoff. Where "Pancake" flows out of a single gesture, "Party" feels forced, and just doesn't seem as funny and delightful. Plus, in this book, the pig somehow seems more demanding and selfish than in the Pancake book. Hard to explain unless you read it!
Livin High on the Hog?
Living high on the hog. This brings new meaning to those words and that's a good thing.It's not the "gimme gimme" attitude and materialistic lifestyle that makes this little piggy happy, oh no.It's just enjoying life by creating happiness in everything you do while remembering that sharing your heart with others doubles the fun!
...will put visions of celebration into each readers head, leaving everyone eager to have a party of their own!
Everyone knows that pigs can be a handful. Which is why it's probably never a good idea to throw a pig a party. For if you give a pig a party, she's bound to want balloons to accompany said party. And, once she's got balloons, she'll, of course, want to decorate the entire house. Then, once the decorating is done, she'll want to get all dolled up - in her favorite dress. And once she's done that, she's going to want to call all of her friends on the phone, and invite them over to celebrate. But if they're not home...well, she'll just have to go out and look for them. Which can only mean trouble.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Animals - Pigs    3. Celebrations - Parties    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Kindergarten    7. Children: Preschool    8. Fiction    9. Holidays & Celebrations - General    10. Humorous Stories    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Pigs    13. Preschool Picture Story Books    14. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs   

Editorial Review

"If you give a pig a pancake, she'll want some syrup to go with it.You'll give her some of your favorite maple syrup. She'll probably get all sticky, so she'll want to take a bath." You get the idea. Baths lead to bubbles, bubbles lead to rubber ducks, rubber ducks lead to wanting a trip to the farm. Read more

Reviews (62)

If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Leonardo
If You Give A Pig A Pancake
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
I have read this story so much the children I teach can read along with me.

Pig Heaven
The fourth in the series is just as good as the first.The pictures are just as adorable and the sequencing is easy to follow. Good for ages 3-7. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Pigs    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. A prancing, playful bloke, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny that befalls all those of porcine persuasion. Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads "Some Pig," convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things. ... Read more

Reviews (373)

A fine work of literature that can stand alongside any in English
I just reread it recently as an adult. I had this boxed set of three hardcover E.B. White books when I was a kid - Charlotte's Web, The Trumpet of the Swan (which I remember as my favorite of the three, though I hardly remember it today), and Stuart Little.
Charlotte's Web
I've purchased this book for my daughter who is almost 9 years old, I end up reading it before her.This book is great for growing up kids; how wonderful and variable it is to have a friend he/she can depend on and be with to share fun, sad and so so stories to one another.
A classic, and for a good reason
This book, though it may seem to be just a cute story about a pig, is actually quite sad.The first time I read this book I was in first grade and I liked it, but it was only when I just recently read it again that I realized how good it really is. This book, through its simple plot, reminded me a lot about how selfless some people are and also about growing up.No wonder it's a classic; even though it's written for little kids, it can remind a lot of people about their own lives and bring back a lot of fond memories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Farm Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Lifestyles - Farm Life & Ranch Life    10. Pigs    11. Social Issues - Friendship    12. Spiders    13. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

Olivia, like many young pigs, experiences life very intensely. She is utterly obsessed with having her mother make her a red soccer shirt (even though the team color is green), until, of course, she discovers that her favorite toy, her very best toy, is missing, at which point she becomes utterly obsessed with finding it. She looks under the rug, the sofa, and the cat. She shouts accusingly at both her younger brother Ian and her baby brother William, who responds with an unsatisfactory "Wooshee gaga." That night (a dark and stormy one), she hears a horrible sound emanating from behind a closed door, and, in a dramatic scene illuminated by her flaming candelabra and showcased in a fold-out spread, she sees the family dog Perry chewing her favorite toy to bits. As devastating as this is to a passionate young pig, "even Olivia couldn't stay mad forever." She sews up her dismembered toy and falls asleep that very night cozied up with both it and the toy-wrecking Perry. Read more

Reviews (39)

Olivia ...and the Missing Toy
Olivia is the kind of book that is never boring. My children ages six and two absolutely adore this book. Needles to say, that is one of those books you will always remember. We own all of them.

The Magnificent Olivia
The Olivia series of books is simply wonderful.Olivia is a very independent, strong-willed little pig who is not afraid of anything and the result is truly entertaining and very comical.My children love this book the best because it is very well written and with just the right emphasis on certain wording when I read it, they roll on the floor giggling hysterically.My daughter walks around quoting the book out loud as she has most of the book memorized because the children have asked me to read it to them so many times.

Olivia back again
In this thrid adventure we find Oliva once again exerting her individuality, demanding a new uniform color...so she can look different from the rest of the team. She then becomes further self-absorbed in a quest for her lost toy. Also in this installment we meet her father, a somewhat dotng pig, Olivia doesn't seem to mind.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Lost and found possessions    8. Pigs    9. Preschool Picture Story Books    10. Social Issues - Lost & Found    11. Toys    12. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    13. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs   

Reviews (3)

Fun and hilarious adventure
Kate DiCamillo's MERCY WATSON FIGHTS CRIME provides the third pig tale in the series. Here Mercy hears a noise and discovers a thief is robbing the Watsons - a cowboy thief whose 'yippie-I-oh' can both lull a sleep to pig and wake up a sleeping household. Color drawings by Chis Van Dusen add fun and hilarious adventure to the tale.

Oh Mercy!We love this series but this title is not our favorite!
We absolutely adore the Mercy Watson series at our house.After throroughly enjoying the first two books in the series, we were eager to read this newest installment, Mercy Watson Fights Crime.Unfortunately, this book really scared my kids!The same ridiculous characters are all here and the tone is light, but the plot revolves around Mercy's reaction to and capture of a robber who has broken into the Watson house to steal (among other things) Mercy's beloved toaster.The concept of someone - a stranger, a robber, a bad guy - sneaking into our house in the middle of the night had never occured to my kids, and we had lots of questions and nervousness that night when we went to bed.What if someone like Leroy Ninker comes in our house tonight?Will he take my toys?What if I go downstairs and find him?Is the door locked?How did he get in?And on and on.So, while we wholeheartedly recommend the Mercy Watson series, I'm not sure this title is a great choice for kids on the younger end of the recommended age range of 4 through 8.

Great Book
My 7 year of old son loves this series.Looking forward to more of them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Pigs    3. Burglary    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Law & Crime    10. Pigs    11. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Editorial Review

Olivia knows all about opposites. Sometimes this porcine heroine of IanFalconer's Caldecott Honor Book, Read more

Reviews (9)

Another fun Olivia experience
My one-year old chooses this book to have read to her all the time. She especially loves the Quiet-Loud and Open-Close opposites, but you can have fun with all of them.

Amazon review
I received this in great shape and on time.I love using Amazon.com to purchase what I want.They usually have what I am looking for and it is so easy to do on the net.

Olivia is just too cute
Little ones and Adults just love these books. I like that they are heavy board books.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Preschool    4. Concepts - Opposites    5. English language    6. Family - General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Opposites    10. Piglets    11. Synonyms and antonyms    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs   

Editorial Review

Learning to count to 10 is no chore when accompanied by Olivia, pigletsuperstar of Ian Falconer's Caldecott Honor Book, Read more

Reviews (9)

We have an OLIVIA to read this too...
So she is absolutely intrigued everytime you mention her name (12 mos).This is a cute counting book that holds her attention (primarily because of the color scheme I'd imagine)...and by the last page when we are counting the Olivia's....she's just delighted!

Olivia fans will love it
Olivia Counts features illustrations of Olivia, a familiar character to many toddlers who have read other books by Ian Falconer.Olivia is pictured on each page with various numbered items and a short description.For example, the first page shows Olivia holding a beach ball and the text reads "1 one ball."The counting continues with "2 two bows," "3 three pots of paints," etc. up to the number ten.The pictures are clever and appealing.
This Little Piggy Accessorized
It appears from comments here that author/illustrator Ian Falconer re-used some images from previous board books. While these may "only" be board books, this is not common practice, and, if true, does not seem fair to either parent or child.While small toddlers may or may not remember prior use of pictures, older ones may, and beginning readers are even more like to recognize them. Moreover, board books are often bought as a set; a giver will not be happy to learn that a set of Falconer books includes repeated images.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Preschool    4. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    5. Counting    6. Family - General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Number concept    10. Number concept in children    11. Piglets    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs   

Editorial Review

When it comes time to tell the class what she did on her vacation,Olivia isn't at all nervous. In fact, she remembers it quite clearly--she wentto the circus, you see. "But when we got there, all the circus people were outsick with ear infections." What are the odds? But the show must go on!Fortunately, Olivia jumps right in to help out--riding elephants, posing as theTattooed Lady (she draws on the pictures with a marker), taming lions, walkingtightropes, juggling, clowning around, and more. In a marvelous fold-out,four-panel spread, our porcine heroine even reigns supreme as the Queen of theTrampoline. "And that's how I saved the circus. And now I am famous." Olivialooks proud. Her teacher looks mad. Ian Falconer shines in this dryly hilarioussequel to his 2001 Caldecott Honor Book Read more

Reviews (61)

circuses are no fun for animals
If people knew what the animals had to go through in order to perform those tricks, compassionate people would not support the circus.Animals are beaten and prodded and suffer terribly during training.Circuses are an unnatural arena for wild animals who belong in their natural habitats. I do not support indoctrinating children into thinking that animal circuses are fun or legitimate forms of entertainment.Circuses are not even educational for children.With so many animal-free circuses, make the compassionate choice and do not support any animal circuses.

More fun from our favorite little pig
See my review for Olivia, the same great qualities (and occasional detractions) are continued. This time around Olivia's adventure is in her head but it hardly matters. We also get to meet her new baby brother along the way. Of note. my daughter initially was scared of Olivia's mother's shadow which comes across as very intimidating. She is now over that but it may scare little ones.

I L. O. V. E. IT!
Olivia is awesome and one expects the sequels to "classics" to be as good or better than the first, this one is!!!I LOVE IT and you will too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Circus    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Performing Arts - General    9. Pigs    10. School stories    11. Schools    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs   

Reviews (11)

Alexandra D Pima Student Tucson
I read this book to a group of kindergarten students. Right now they are learning about money just coins they know penny,dime and nickel. Some of the students were able to point out the coins and do some of the adding with the pig family. But majority of them just enjoyed the pictures and the storyline. They were unable to follow the hidden math problem. But overall it is a fun story to read with the students.

Pigs will be Pigs
A very creative way to teach money concepts.I liked the way the book reviews the way to make change.I read this to a group of 3rd graders.I don't know that they found the book entertaining, but it did help them review money.I think 2nd graders would probably enjoy the story more, but may not understand all of the math concepts as well as the third graders.
Pigs will be Pigs Review
I read this book to children in first grade and they LOVED IT!!The children thought that this book was so hilarious.The book did such a great job incorporating money and counting into it.The illustrations were awesome as well, the pictures kept the children's attention while I was reading the book.I kept a tally of how much the pigs found and where they found the money.The children loved helping me keep track and they all participated in naming all the different locations of where the pig family kept the money.I do recommend this book for a circle or group reading, the children will love it!!
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Fiction    6. Finance, Personal    7. Humorous Stories    8. Money    9. Pigs    10. Science & Technology - Mathematics    11. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Counting   

Reviews (10)

Mercy Watson
I really reccomend this book because some people would really get a kick out of it like I did! Mercy really loves to eat waffles , and Mercy always dreams about them too. I really hope you will think the same that I did about this book! Sometimes it's funny and sometimes it can be a mystery and other times you might think it will become sad but it all ties up in the end! My favorite part in the book is when Mercy kept on dreaming about her waffles and butter! I hope you will like this book as much as I did too! Once again it is a great book! I hope you like it too!

mercy watson
Mercy Watson likes a great deal of butter on top of her toast.Mercy had something great happen to her one night.Mercy and her parents were sleeping. Soon she heard a crack and the bed almost fell through the ceiling. She got out of bed but all she could think of was toast with butter.Mercy went to the kitchen to see if any toast was left. No luck. So Mercy went outside. The neighbors woke up and help Mercy's parents by calling 911. They were really calling to take Mercy away. I liked this book a lot. I like how the puzzle came together in the end. There were sad, interesting, and funny parts. I recommend this book to K-4 students.

Adventures of Mercy
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate Dicamillo
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Fiction    6. Fire departments    7. General    8. Humorous Stories    9. Interactive Adventure    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Neighbors    12. Pigs    13. Readers - Chapter Books    14. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Chapter Books   

Editorial Review

Once upon a time three pigs built three houses, out of straw, sticks,and bricks. Along came a wolf, who huffed and puffed... So, you think you knowthe rest? Think again. With David Wiesner at the helm, it's never safe to assumetoo much. When the wolf approaches the first house, for example, and blows itin, he somehow manages to blow the pig right out of the story frame. The textcontinues on schedule--"...and ate the pig up"--but the perplexed expression onthe wolf's face as he looks in vain for his ham dinner is priceless. One by one,the pigs exit the fairy tale's border and set off on an adventure of their own.Folding a page of their own story into a paper airplane, the pigs fly off tovisit other storybooks, rescuing about-to-be-slain dragons and luring the catand the fiddle out of their nursery rhyme.Read more

Reviews (48)

Great book
The Three Little Pigs is a clever spin on the classic nursery tale.The three pigs manage to walk straight out of the pages they were encapsulated in, and wonder in and out of other classic tales, freeing other creatures as they go.They ultimately bring a dragon home with them to the brick house, just in time to scare away the wolf.
A "Hog Wild" Experience
Review on the children's book "The Three Pigs" by David Wiesner
You want a "correct" nursery rhyme? Go elsewhere!
I don't have John or Yoko in my family tree, and I certainly don't think of myself as particularly cutting-edge, nor is my 4-and-a-half-year-old daughter. But she practically rolled off the bed, she was laughing so hard the first time we read this book together. Yes, I think you have to have some curiosity, some questioning-of-authority, a well-developed sense of humor, and be able to do a certain amount of play-acting along with the book as you read it, so for those tired parents who just want to whip through a few old standards as quickly as possible, without actually thinking about what they're reading, this is probably not the book. But oh, the peals of laughter from my daughter! They were priceless! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Characters and characteristics    3. Characters in literature    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Children: Preschool    7. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    8. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Humorous Retelling    9. Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Pigs    12. Preschool Picture Story Books    13. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs   

Reviews (1)

A cheerful book with eye-opening illustrations
Mercy Watson is a bit stubborn, a bit spoiled, and a lot of cute. Her "parents," Mr. and Mrs. Watson, think Mercy is a "porcine" wonder (porcine: of, relating to, or suggesting swine). They adore Mercy, and every Saturday after a special lunch that includes her favorite food --- stacks and stacks of butter-oozing toast --- Mr. Watson takes Mercy for a ride in his car.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Animals - Pigs    4. Automobile driving    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 2-3    7. Family - General    8. Fiction    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Pigs    12. Readers - Chapter Books    13. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Chapter Books   

Reviews (35)

Porkers with Attitude
My first graders loved listening to this story today. I'm a teacher who has read it in October for quite a few years now and still enjoy the plot, illustrations and good humor. Briefly, a witch named "Gritch" wants to make a Piggie Pie with eight plump piggies necessary to complete the recipe from her cookbook. Lacking pigs she lets her fingers do the walking in the yellow pages(of course) to find "Old MacDonald's" Farm. That alone is hilarious to kids with the EI-EI-O phone number. Plus great with 2nd language building of vocabulary....In a witch fly over of the farm the pigs spy her and change into duck, chicken, cow costumes and one Old Mac Donald get up which actually made me laugh, to deny in a patterned format knowing of any pigs on that farm. Gritch persists until she and a wolf(big bad near starving due to clever porkers) go off together both contemplating the other as a potential dinner. It's cute, is a nice "fractured" type spin on the traditional tales children know and just funny enough with great lines for your witchy voice to allow a good reader to really entertain from the armchair read. My students in a second-language classroom are beginning to comprehend a bit better, anticipate and predict to a higher degree so this was simple enough for them to be able (with picture cue help) to follow, yet complex enough to allow them to be surprised, as when the pigs run into the barn to don their "other animal" body suits. It's certainly a fun read on a Friday. Wewere coincidentally making witches today in another activity so it was a very good extension. Great images of her very vivid and not so appealing face.

Clever book with a unexpected piggie plot.
Critch the Witch is evil.She wants piggie pie and needs 8 pigs to make it.She flies to the nearest farm where she sky writes, 'Surrender Piggies' to scare them into a pile of pigs.When she lands there isn't a pig in sight.Meanwhile in the barn, the clever pigs are putting on other farm animal disguises.A few dress up as chickens, some wear a cow costume and others pile high enough to act as the farmer.All of them tell here there are No Piggies to be found here.The mad witch spots the big bad wolf (all skin and bones from being tricked so many times by the pigs and never getting a good meal) and decides to Have Him for lunch instead.Great illustrations, scary witch pictures for little kids but fun farm pictures for identifying the piggie tails and hooves in each disguise.My only complaint is that this story is a bit wordy.

Not for preschoolers!
True the illustrations might be artful and the story original and funny, but this book is not for preschoolers.As a mom of a young child, I became aware of this book when in appeared in my daughter's preschool classroom. When I stopped by to read a story and the children were helping me select a book, many asked that I avoid "Piggy Pie" - it really really scared them. My own daughter told me she had to "sneak" by this book in the classroom as it scared her.Parents and teachers too often introduce content that they personally find to be witty and artful and are unaware of the impact on the youngest audience- skip if for now,and consider this book for children Kindergarten age and up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Domestic animals    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Witches    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs