Pug Meets Pig

Starred review from July 4, 2016
Pug is master of the house—indeed, his human owners are never seen. Then a new pet, Pig, shows up, wearing a blue dress with a ruffle, no less. Pig immediately and cheerfully co-opts everything that Pug loves: his doghouse, his dish, and his “work” antagonizing the local cat. “Pug is not happy,” writes first-time picture book author Gallion in her sublimely economic, emotionally resonant text, which is also simple enough to engage budding readers. “He is not happy here at home anymore.” When Pug realizes he can help a miserable Pig navigate a newly installed doggie door (“Pig’s round middle cannot fit”) the relationship shifts: Pug is no longer put-upon—he’s a problem solver. Gallion wisely lets the reward of selflessness speak for itself, while Wan’s (The Whale in My Swimming Pool) pert, roly-poly characters look like something lifted out of readers’ own toy boxes. Proffered with the lightest of touches, it’s a story that readers can easily take to heart. Up to age 8. Author’s agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Teresa Kietlinski, Prospect Agency.

July 1, 2016
A little dog named Pug is perfectly happy in his cozy, suburban world until pushy Pig moves in.Pug lives in a big house with a fenced backyard and his own little doghouse to sleep in. Pig arrives (seemingly out of nowhere) wearing a friendly smile and a dress with a ruffled collar. She moves right in on Pug's territory, slurping up his dog food, making friends with the neighbor cat, and taking over Pug's doghouse. Pug is ready to leave home, but a new doggy door (installed by the unseen owner) gives him the ability to get in and out of the main house, while Pig can't fit through the little door. Pug takes pity on poor Pig, gnawing on the door to enlarge it so it can be a "piggy door" for Pig's convenience as well. Pug and Pig then immediately begin to share everything, becoming best friends and living happily together. Pug's abrupt change of heart is a bit too sudden to be believable, with Pig not really earning her acceptance as a new housemate. The simple, understated text with just a few words on each page will be enjoyed by younger preschoolers and will also be accessible to new readers, and the jaunty, oversized illustrations have a cheerful, straightforward appeal that suits the text. The only human characters are three neighbor children who can be seen peeking over the fence at Pug and Pig; all are children of color. Pig and Pug, by Lynne Barry and illustrated by Gemma Correll (2015), covers similar territory but with more sophisticated humor. A mildly humorous story that doesn't really stand out in the crowded arena of interspecies friendship. (Picture book. 3-6)

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August 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Pug does not need Pig in his life. Pug is happy with his routine-his home, food, important work digging and barking in the yard, and bed. So when friendly Pig pops onto the scene and obliviously disrupts Pug's daily habits, the dog is not pleased. Will Pug pack his toys and leave, or can he learn to live with and even embrace Pig? The age-old theme of learning to accept a newcomer will resonate with children adjusting to a new sibling or witnessing an old pet adapt to a new one. The text and visuals work well together, employing understated humor. Clear, softly colored illustrations featuring the chubby title characters are appealing and accessible. A cat appears occasionally, along with a few ethnically diverse children as onlookers, and some of Pug's toys can be spotted on multiple pages for observant children to track. The beginning endpapers show Pug enjoying his daily romp in the yard alone, and the closing endpapers present Pug taking part in similar activities along with Pig, conveying the subtle but positive message that Pug can be equally content alone or with company. This selection might be confused with Lynne Berry's Pig and Pug picture book or Laura Marchesani and Zenaides A. Medina Jr.'s Pig and Pug juvenile reader. VERDICT This cozy story is likely to hit the spot with many preschoolers and is a great choice for beginning readers.-Suzanne LaPierre, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

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