The Peculiar Pig

July 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

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2019
Though Mama Pig considers Penny "my shining little one," her piglet siblings ostracize Penny, a copper-colored puppy. When Penny's growls make a snake to retreat, the others realize that "peculiar was perfect." The playful, lighthearted illustrations convey Penny's hurt feelings and the joy acceptance brings. This sunny barnyard story has love and acceptance at its heart.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2019
In the opening spread of Steuerwald's picture-book debut, we see a different sort of piglet in the pigpen. Snuggled in the hay next to her piglet brothers and sisters lies Penny, a copper-colored puppy. It's not long before Penny's differences are apparent. The other piglets grow bigger; Penny grows longer. She uses her paws instead of her snout for digging and can easily outrun the other piglets. Soon her oink begins to sound different, and though Mama Pig considers Penny my shining little one, her peculiarities cause her to be pushed aside by the other piglets. When a snake slithers into the pigpen, however, it's Penny's sharp growls that cause the snake to retreat, and her brothers and sisters realize that peculiar was perfect. 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 ( Sn-Arff!! Grr-oink!! ). Although books with a similar message abound, this sunny barnyard story with love and acceptance at its heart is pitch-perfect for younger audiences and provides a gentle lead-in for conversations about inclusion. emmie stuart

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from March 15, 2019
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)

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