The Peculiar Pig

by Joy Steuerwald, Joy Steuerwald (Illustrator)

Overview

* "An excellent, gently told addition to anti-bullying, adoption, and individuality storytimes."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

There was a different sort of piglet in the pigpen one cool spring morning.

That "different" one is named Penny, and she's really not a piglet at all . . . she's a puppy. A puppy who gets longer and longer as her piglet siblings get bigger and bigger. Penny doesn't understand why she's different--she only knows that Mama Pig loves her just the same as the rest of the litter. Penny's siblings are baffled by her peculiar behavior--like digging with her paws instead of her snout, and especially her loud, sharp oink. Good thing Penny likes all the sounds she can make, and when danger strikes and her peculiarities prove to be strengths, the piglets see that sometimes it's good to be a little different!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780399548888
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	06/18/2019
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	550L (what's this?)
File size:	25 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Joy Steuerwald also illustrated the board book Moo (by Jaye Garnett), and works as an artist and animator. She is a graduate of San Jose State University's Illustration and Animation program. Her muses are a miniature short-haired Dachshund and a small human boy. She lives in Fremont, California.

Editorial Reviews

* “Steuerwald's debut as both author and illustrator is an excellent, gently told addition to anti-bullying, adoption, and individuality storytimes. The adorable piglets (and dachshund pup) . . . are expressive and distinct, with a look that strikes the right balance between cartoon and realism. The bullying never rises beyond giggles at Penny's differences, making this a good conversation starter even for the youngest audiences. Look forward to more from Steuerwald; Penny the puppy piglet is perfection.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Kids will enjoy recognizing Penny as a dog, either by visual clues or through her loud, peculiar oink: ‘Arff woof WOOF!!’ Steuerwald creates a series of pleasing illustrations. . . . An amiable read-aloud choice for young children.”—Booklist 

“Young listeners will delight in pointing out that one of her piglets is, in fact, a puppy. They will join the other piglets in pointing out its peculiar habit of barking and digging with its paws instead of its snout. . . . The adorable pink and black piglets and cartoon illustrations of farm life are the perfect setting for discussing adoption and being different with the very young. A fun read-aloud with a sweet and positive message.”—School Library Journal

“Steuerwald’s hand-drawn and digitally colored illustrations are playful and lighthearted yet still convey the confusion and hurt Penny feels when she is ostracized by her siblings. The joy their acceptance brings Penny is evident in the final spread when she is surrounded by the piglets as they attempt to emulate Penny’s barks. . . . This sunny barnyard story with love and acceptance at its heart is pitchperfect for younger audiences and provides a gentle lead-in for conversations about inclusion.”—The Horn Book

From the Publisher

07/19/2019

PreS-Gr 1-One spring morning a mother pig with a new litter of piglets notices a peculiar addition to her brood. Without missing a beat, she brushes off the differences of the interloper, adding that "she loved her piglets all the same. To her, each one was special." Young listeners will delight in pointing out that one of her piglets is, in fact, a puppy. They will join the other piglets in pointing out its peculiar habit of barking and digging with its paws instead of its snout. When a snake sneaks into the barnyard one day, the piglets realize that having a guard dog as a sibling has its advantages. The adorable pink and black piglets and cartoon illustrations of farm life are the perfect setting for discussing adoption and being different with the very young. VERDICT A fun read-aloud with a sweet and positive message.-Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH

School Library Journal

★ 2019-03-03

One of Mama Pig's piglets is not like the others.

"There was a different sort of piglet in the pigpen one spring morning." Mama Pig doesn't mind; she loves all her children equally, even this brown, furry little girl. The others are "bigger and stronger," so Penny peacefully waits for her turn. "The piglets grew bigger every day. And Penny grew… / l o n g e r." Her siblings remark on her peculiar looks and sounds and digging methodologies. Each time her siblings point out her peculiarities, Mama Pig assures Penny, "I love all my little piglets the same." And when something scary, hissy, and scaly enters the farm yard, Penny jumps in with a bark and a growl to chase it off. All her brothers and sisters agree "that peculiar [is] perfect." Steuerwald's debut as both author and illustrator is an excellent, gently told addition to anti-bullying, adoption, and individuality storytimes. The adorable piglets (and dachshund pup) in the hand-drawn and digitally painted illustrations are expressive and distinct, with a look that strikes the right balance between cartoon and realism. The bullying never rises beyond giggles at Penny's differences, making this a good conversation starter even for the youngest audiences.

Look forward to more from Steuerwald; Penny the puppy piglet is perfection. (Picture book. 2-7)

Kirkus Reviews