Pigs and a Blanket

by James Burks, James Burks (Illustrator)

Overview

Pig siblings Henry and Henrietta love their green blanket. It is soft, it smells good, and it makes a great cape! As much as they each love playing with the blanket, they don't love sharing it. Will ripping it in two solve all their problems? Author/illustrator James Burks has created a funny, relatable, sweet story about two pigs who, despite their individual interests pulling them in different directions, really prefer to remain side by side.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781368004459
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	01/04/2017
Series:	Hyperion Picture Book (eBook)
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	8 MB
Age Range:	3 Months to 2 Years

About the Author

James Burks (jamesburks.com) has written and illustrated a number of children's books, including another picture book about Henry and Henrietta, Pigs and a Blanket; the Bird & Squirrel graphic novel series; and Gabby & Gator, which was selected as a Read Across America title. Before beginning his career in books, James worked on such animated films as Space Jam, The Iron Giant, The Emperor's New Groove, Treasure Planet, and Home on the Range. He has also worked as a storyboard artist for such television shows as Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! and Fanboy & Chum Chum.

Editorial Reviews

PRAISE FOR PIGS AND A BLANKET

"A charming story of caring and sharing."— School Library Journal

From the Publisher

02/01/2016
PreS-Gr 2—Two piglet siblings have a mutual love for a fluffy, green blanket. Henrietta wraps one end of it cozily around her while she reads a book, as Henry snuggles beneath the other end and draws a picture. Lots of imaginative play happily coexists, but tensions run high when Henrietta's enthusiastic dance move steals the coverlet out from Henry's grasp. Burks's watercolor and ink cartoon illustrations show Henry retaliating by zooming away with the blanket tied under his chin like a superhero's cape. Told entirely through dialogue, the text consists of the characters' simple, declarative sentences as they convey the same sentiments: "Stop pulling on my blanket!" During a heated tug-of-war, their beloved blankie rips in two. The dueling pair silently and separately play with their own halves, but riffs and seams are soon mended. VERDICT A charming story of sharing and caring.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

School Library Journal

2016-01-09
Two adorable Disney-esque pig siblings decide that sharing is the way to go. Each pig states love for "my blanket," a single item shared between the two, one for its softness and the other for its smell. They describe the activities they enjoy, most of which can be done side by side. The girl pig, marked with a purple hair bow, likes to read under it and make movies on it with her toys, while the boy pig likes to draw and play monster truck. But dancing with "my blanket" is a solo action, as is using it for a superhero cape. Inevitably an argument in the form of a tug of war ensues, and the blanket is ripped in two. The pigs retire to separate corners with their blanket halves to play alone, but they're clearly unhappy. They admit to missing each other and jury-rig repairs so their blanket is sort of together again. The text is composed of 14 statements in large, widely spaced black print and a giant red "RRRIIIIPPPPP!" on stark white background, itself a dynamic compositional element. All the action in this slight tale comes to life in the detailed cartoon illustrations of their activities and accouterments, rendered in colorful hues. The bright pink little pigs vividly display every emotion on their respective round and square faces. Burks avoids sliding into treacle, and the gentle message will be well-received by the littlest readers. A charmer. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews