Pig and Horse and the Something Scary: A Picture Book

by Zoey Abbott

Overview

Author-illustrator Zoey Abbott’s Pig and Horse and the Something Scary is a gentle, perceptive picture book story about facing our fears, worries, and anxieties—and the power of a supportive friend.

“I have something in my head and it is scaring me,” Pig said.
“What is it?” asked Horse.
“I can’t say. I’m trying to ignore it.”

Pig can’t stop thinking about something that is bothering her. Try as Horse might to get her mind off of it—with bike rides, swims, and silly hats—it’s no use. But maybe if Pig shares the something with her friend, they can talk about it and figure out how to face the something together.

With charming illustrations, subtle whimsy, and a gentle approach to serious themes, Pig and Horse and the Something Scary acknowledges the fears and worries that children can feel in their bodies and minds. It encourages heartfelt conversations about emotional challenges, while also exploring the power of a supportive, caring friend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419745010
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	01/18/2022
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Zoey Abbott lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and kids. Her first two books, Finn’s Feather by Rachel Noble (Enchanted Lion Books) and Twindergarten by Nikki Ehrlich (Harper Collins) will publish in 2017. Zoey loves telling stories and making things with her hands. Visit her at www.zoeyink.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Whether an endorsement for exposure therapy or a reassurance that fears are better handled with a friend over tea, this story has consolation to offer to the easily scared."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The protagonists are a model of supportive friendship, and there’s great appeal in the idea that dealing with darker emotions doesn’t require bravery as much as it does a smart plan and a good pal."

Publishers Weekly

"Both animals, drawn standing upright with rosy cheeks, are appealing and accessible protagonists who evoke some of the great friendships of children’s literature. Gentle and effective."

Kirkus Reviews

"The protagonists are a model of supportive friendship, and there’s great appeal in the idea that dealing with darker emotions doesn’t require bravery as much as it does a smart plan and a good pal."—Publishers Weekly

"Both animals, drawn standing upright with rosy cheeks, are appealing and accessible protagonists who evoke some of the great friendships of children’s literature. Gentle and effective." —Kirkus Reviews

"Whether an endorsement for exposure therapy or a reassurance that fears are better handled with a friend over tea, this story has consolation to offer to the easily scared." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

2021-12-03
Pig can’t stop thinking about something scary. Maybe Horse can help.

When Pig awakes feeling “a bit out of sorts,” she seeks out her friend Horse, who is full of ideas for making her feel better, from a bike ride in the sunshine and a swim in the bay to a good laugh. When these measures fail, Horse suggests that Pig invite “whatever-it-is” to tea—after all, “teatime brings out the best manners in everyone!” Only when the two have completed preparations for the meal does Pig feel ready to share what’s been weighing on her mind. As Pig opens up to Horse, the artwork portrays shadow archetypes representing Pig’s repressed fears, including a black, smokelike entity, a menacing blue fox, and a sticky purple substance. Fortunately, Horse was right. Tea, cake, a supportive friend, and the willingness to face her fears prove to be the perfect remedy for Pig’s perturbations. Abbott’s subtly droll text and soft gouache, colored pencil–and–sumi-ink illustrations work together to produce a picture book that feels classic yet not derivative. The story deftly probes the darker aspects of the human psyche and the challenging emotions all children experience without becoming too overwhelming for young readers. Horse, with her toothy grin and expressive eyes, brings just the right amount of humor and lightness. Both animals, drawn standing upright with rosy cheeks, are appealing and accessible protagonists who evoke some of the great friendships of children’s literature.

Gentle and effective. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews