Piggies in a Polka – Kathi Appelt

Who could pass by a book called “Piggies in a Polka?” I certainly couldn’t, and so here we are. The first thing that catches my eye when I open the book is the rich, vibrant coloration of the illustrations. No mamby-pamby pastels – you feel drenched in shades of red, blue, green and yellow, with everything else in between. As it turns out, all the pigs from all over the holler are gathering for the yearly hootenanny. (I never knew how to spell that word before, and now I do . . .) We’ve got pigs playing instruments, selecting their … Continue reading

Babe (1995)

Reviewing “Charlotte’s Web” the other day put me in mind of another favorite movie about a pig. Like “Charlotte’s Web,” “Babe” is about a cute little piglet who goes to live on a farm, unaware that he will be on the menu before long. Another similarity between the two films is the way the other animals help the pig accomplish an amazing feat that keeps them from being eaten. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end. Babe, the runt of his litter, is offered as a prize at the fair. If you can guess how much he weighs, you … Continue reading

Author Review – Ian Falconer

It’s no secret to any well-read toddler – Olivia is top piggy! Ian Falconer’s unexpected creation has caused a porcine sensation in the land of the picture book, and if you don’t know who Olivia is, you’re just not cool. Although Ian has the face of a teenager, he was actually born in 1959. He discovered his love of art at a very young age, and when he was fourteen, his parents allowed him to go away to school at the Cambridge School of Weston in Massachusetts. This allowed him to concentrate on his art. He attended New York University … Continue reading