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|---|---|---|
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Summary
Summary
* "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!
Author Notes
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.
Reviews (3)
Horn Book Review
In the opening spread of Steuerwalds 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. Its not long before Pennys 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, its Pennys sharp growls that cause the snake to retreat, and her brothers and sisters realize that peculiar was perfect. Steuerwalds 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 Pennys 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 September/October 2019 p.73(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
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) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
One morning in the pigpen, a different sort of piglet joins the six gathered around Mama Pig, who loves each one the same. The pink, black, and white piglets (Pinky, Prudence, Freckles, Roly, Scrappy, and Patch) are bigger and stronger than the new brown one (Penny), but she waits patiently for her turn to nurse. As they grow, the siblings' physical differences become more apparent. After all, the original six are piglets, while Penny is a dachshund puppy. When a snake threatens her siblings, Penny growls sharply and frightens it away. The six piglets agree that their peculiar little sister is just perfect. While this picture book has a message, it's lightly delivered in both words and pictures. The story unfolds in a relatively simple narration, laced with occasional lines of dialogue. 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, pencil drawings with digitally added colors and textures. An amiable read-aloud choice for young children.--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2019 Booklist