The Book Hog

by Greg Pizzoli Narrated by Paul Bellantoni

Overview

Settle down with this funny book and learn about the magic of reading as a kind librarian teaches a silly pig how much fun reading can be!

The Book Hog loves books -- the way they look, the way they feel, the way they smell--and he'll grab whatever he can find. There's only one problem: he can't read! But when a kind librarian invites him to join for storytime, this literature-loving pig discovers the treasure that books really are.

Greg Pizzoli, master of read-aloud fun and three-time Theodor Seuss Geisel Award recipient, introduces a character sure to steal kids' hearts using his signature* lighthearted narrative style.

"Even non-Book-Hogs should have this one. It's that good." -Jon Klassen, Caldecott Medal winner for This Is Not My Hat

"A book that readers will be eager to hog." -Booklist

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

11/26/2018
The Japanese word tsundoku describes books that have piled up in a home without being read. Pizzoli’s porcine protagonist certainly accumulates books—he’s a relentless buyer and forager—and he adores each volume (“He loved the way they smelled, and the way the pages felt in his hooves. He especially liked the ones with pictures”). But reading procrastination is not his problem. Book Hog has a big secret: “He didn’t know how to read. He had never learned.” Then Book Hog discovers the library (“he smelled some books inside”) and a whole community of book lovers, including a kind librarian whose attentiveness and story times inspire him—“over time, and with practice”—to become a reader. Pizzoli once again employs a candy-colored palette and an ebullient cast—the pink-and-green look, and even some of the characters, are reminiscent of his The Watermelon Seed. And, as always in a Pizzoli book, there are wonderful details: readers will note that the markings on spines of the books go from fuzzy lines to actual titles when the Book Hog learns to read, and that in one spread, he raptly stands right by the librarian’s chair, clutching its arm as she reads aloud to the group. Who hasn’t seen—or been—that kid? Ages 3–5. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Mar.)

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)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940177049632
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	11/02/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

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