Pigs to the Rescue

Starred review from February 22, 2010
In this follow-up to Chickens to the Rescue
, this time it's the pigs who “help” the Greenstalk family with a week's worth of problems. Wearing swimsuits and expressions of fierce determination, they water Mrs. Greenstalk's flowers (a kiddie pool is involved). When the rooster has a sore throat, they snort and squeal with abandon, and they inadvertently tear Jeffrey's treed kite to pieces following a particularly acrobatic rescue. In a twist ending, the Greenstalks find that a new crew of animals has caught the rescue bug. It's a one-joke book, yes, but Himmelman's expressively comedic illustrations keep it as funny as ever. Ages 4–8.

April 1, 2010
PreS-Gr 2-During a week of minor mishaps at the Greenstalk farm, the pigs pick up where "Chickens to the Rescue" (Holt, 2006) left off. The porkers solve each problem with great aplomb. From tilling the field to substituting for the ailing rooster, they create a bit of chaos with each solution. When Sunday rolls around and the cat spills her milk, the Greenstalks hold their breath that the pigs won't come to the rescue. All seems safe and quiet, until readers turn to the last page, where the cows are rushing in with bottles and pans and dishes of milk. Watercolor cartoons extend the humor and complete the story. The well-balanced compositions and excellent use of white space bring an explosion of action, and details provide additional humor. Alone or in groups, preschoolers in particular will enjoy this barnyard comedy."Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2010
Preschool-G In this sequel to Chickens to the Rescue (2006), eight excitable pigs mount overachieving rescue missions to cope with minor problems at the farm. Does the rooster have a sore throat? Pigs to the rescue! Eight pigs, perched on the barn roof, wake the farm at daybreak with oinks, squeals, and snorts. Emily broke her shoelace? Pigs to the rescue! The weirdly costumed swine lasso her and tie her up, mummy style. Written with a minimum of fuss and illustrated with comic delight, this picture book from the To the Rescue series offers plenty of laughs for the read-aloud crowd.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)