This Little Piggy

April 15, 2017
What's the perfect pet for you? Could it be a pig?Haven't you always wanted a pig? They make perfect pets. But first you have to convince your brother that he wants a pig too (instead of a rhino or gorilla or dragon). Wow him with some pig facts, like "pigs are louder than motorcycles." If that doesn't work, mention pigs love mud (and remind him that he does, too). Once he's on board, you'll have to convince your mother. She loves gardening but not pigs. Make a checklist of things you need to do before presenting your pig to mom. Top of the list, after picking him out, is cleaning him. This might be an ongoing concern (especially when your new pet decides veggies aren't as appetizing as mom's compost heap. Try teaching him tricks and take him to the fair to see if he can win a ribbon; Mom can't possibly reject an award-winning pig. Or maybe the pig could help out in the garden? Marko's graphic/early-reader hybrid about procuring a porcine pet will appeal to those looking for short, silly chapters. Her busy, cheery, full-color cartoon illustrations of a brown-skinned girl and her fair-skinned brother (with perfect pink piggie) mixed with two or three sentences per page and speech bubbles will keep pages turning. Even those not pie-eyed for pigs will find something to like in this jolly outing. (Graphic/early-reader hybrid. 5-8)

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June 1, 2017

Gr 1-3-From the author of the "Kung Pow Chicken" series comes a guide to tricking one's parents and procuring a pet pig. Chapters are divided into steps to execute this plan, including selecting a pig, giving it a bath, and feeding the pig (who just so happens to love stale jelly doughnuts). In the end, the scheme pays off and the pig becomes the new family pet. Cute and funny, the second-person narrative will engage anyone who has ever yearned for a pet. Checklists appear at the beginning of each chapter, giving the story a how-to feel. The young protagonists attempt to appease their mother by keeping the pig clean and feeding it vegetables, which provides an opportunity to include new vocabulary and promote healthy eating. The page layouts feature word bubbles and some boxed images, which will appeal to graphic novel fans but could be difficult for new readers to follow. VERDICT A humorous story likely to entertain readers, and a good choice for most chapter book collections.-Kaitlin Malixi, Bucks City Free Library, Doylestown, PA

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