Pig the Pug (Pig the Pug Series)

by Aaron Blabey, Aaron Blabey (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Pig has everything, and that’s just the way he likes it. But he needs to learn to share, as well all do, and in time he does, making this the perfect introduction to the concept for young readers.

Pig is a greedy and selfish Pug. He has all the bouncy balls, bones, and chew toys a dog could ever want yet he refuses to share with his poor friend, Trevor. Little does he know, however, that being greedy has its consquences. Join Pig as he learns to share - the hard way!.

Young readers will love the irresistbly quirky and funny illustrations that are paired with a relatable lesson of learning to share with others. For dog and pet lovers everywhere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338112450
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	12/27/2016
Series:	Pig the Pug Series
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	27,847
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD390L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Aaron Blabey was an actor before he started creating children's books. In 2008, Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley was awarded Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year. In 2012, The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon was named a White Raven by the International Youth Library, Munich, Germany. It also won the Patricia Wrightson Prize in the 2013 New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, and the Children's Peace Literature Award, 2013. And now The Bad Guys has won Australia's Children's Indie Book Award for 2016! Aaron lives with his two children and his wife in Sydney, Australia.

Editorial Reviews

10/10/2016
Originally published in Australia, this irreverent tale introduces Pig, a selfish pug who refuses to share his cache of toys with his housemate, a “wiener dog” named Trevor: “ ‘You’ve got some great toys there,’ poor Trevor would say./ But Pig would just grumble, ‘They’re mine! Go away!’ ” Rendered in acrylic, pen, and pencil, Blabey’s (Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley) portraits highlight the dogs’ personalities through their expressive faces and body language. Both have bulbous eyes that seem to pop from the pages, but Trevor grins at readers with a toothy smile while Pig is in a near-constant state of temper tantrum. Perched on a wobbling pile of playthings, Pig tumbles out an open window, leaving him in no position to keep Trevor away from his toys. Punctuated by Pig’s angry ranting, Blabey’s jaunty rhymes will make for some fun read-alouds. Although Pig doesn’t necessarily see the error of his ways (despite being in a full body cast when readers last see him), children will have no trouble recognizing the ridiculousness in his behavior. Ages 3–5. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley:

* "Splendid visual treatment. . . .Make sure to note Charlie's wonderfully expressive eyebrows; they, like this book, stand out." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

From the Publisher

11/01/2016
PreS-Gr 2—Pig, a greedy little pug, lives with Trevor, an amiable dachshund. While Pig has an assorted array of goodies—toy bones, balls, chew toys—he refuses to share the wealth with Trevor. When Pig's companion gently attempts to persuade the pug that playing together might be fun, Pig explodes. He jumps on top of a gigantic pile of his loot, jealously guarding it from Trevor—and soon finds that pride goes before a (painful) fall. The story is straightforward and fun, though the text, told in rhyming verse, is occasionally strained ("And once he had gathered them/up in a pile,/he howled from the top/with a satisfied smile."). The rich, saturated acrylic artwork has a caricaturelike feel and will invite giggles of delight from readers and listeners. Plump Pig is particularly exaggerated, with bulging eyes, a protruding tongue, and a manic expression as he gestures wildly atop his mountain of toys. Young children will revel in his unapologetically naughty antics and might even learn a lesson or two about the value of sharing. VERDICT Though this tale takes on a familiar subject, it should provoke laughter from the intended audience. A fine option where books on sharing are needed.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

School Library Journal

Aug. 30, 2016
In rhyming text, a bug-eyed pug named Pig stubbornly refuses to share with the almost equally bug-eyed Trevor, the “wiener dog” he lives with—and soon gets his comeuppance.The book begins showing the eponymous dog astride a large, red bowl of dog food, tongue hanging out and all four paws gripping the bowl. It perfectly matches the text: “Pig was a Pug / and I’m sorry to say, / he was greedy and selfish / in most every way.” A bit of humor comes through when the text plays on the adage about pigs by reminding readers that “pugs cannot fly.” However, most of the text is composed of trite, tired rhymes. The ending is a punch line whose funny picture will have little ones giggling. However, the ultimate “lesson” is a rather dark cynicism, more appropriate to children older than the age suggested by the rhymes, the art, and even the publisher. There may be some vicarious thrills for those who have witnessed excessive selfishness. The artwork is humorous, although Pig’s appearance is sometimes more grotesque than funny—particularly when he shouts at Trevor. Both male dogs’ facial expressions and body language add to the humor, and dog lovers will appreciate Pig’s array of colorful toys. Scansion is spotty, which should not happen in verses so dependent on rhythm and rhyme to entertain their young audience. Children who love dogs will find this amusing the first time through, but the humor palls quickly. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Review