From the Publisher
"Even non-Book-Hogs should have this one. It's that good."—Jon Klassen, Caldecott Medal winner for This Is Not My Hat
"The good-natured celebration of books, reading, and libraries will charm fellow bibliophiles."—Kirkus Reviews
"A book that readers will be eager to hog."—Booklist
"Kids will get the clear message that libraries are great places to get comfy with books as well as to read them—and also that any library with room for a scooter-riding porker has room for you."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Kirkus Reviews
2018-11-12
A porcine hoarder of books learns to read—and to share.
The Book Hog's obsession is clear from the start. Short declarative sentences describe his enthusiasm ("The Book Hog loved books"), catalog the things he likes about the printed page, and eventually reveal his embarrassing secret ("He didn't know how to read"). While the text is straightforward, plenty of amusing visual details will entertain young listeners. A picture of the Book Hog thumbing through a book while seated on the toilet should induce some giggles. The allusive name of a local bookshop ("Wilbur's") as well as the covers of a variety of familiar and much-loved books (including some of the author's own) offer plenty to pore over. And the fact that the titles become legible only after our hero learns to read is a particularly nice touch. A combination of vignettes, single-page illustrations and double-page spreads that feature Pizzoli's characteristic style—heavy black outlines, a limited palette of mostly salmon and mint green, and simple shapes—move the plot along briskly. Librarians will appreciate the positive portrayal of Miss Olive, an elephant who welcomes the Book Hog warmly to storytime, though it's unlikely most will be able to match her superlative level of service.
There's nothing especially new here, but the good-natured celebration of books, reading, and libraries will charm fellow bibliophiles, and the author's fans will enjoy making another anthropomorphic animal friend. (Picture book. 4-7)
