Wibbly Pig Picks a Pet by Mick Inkpen
| Wibbly Pig Picks a Pet by Mick Inkpen | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Margaret Young
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| Summary: A fun and fanciful look at various unlikely pets with Wibbly and Scruffy Pig especially suited to children who find poo amusing - and I haven't find a young child yet who doesn't. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: September 2013 |
| Publisher: Hodder Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1444908213 | |
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The title of this book is slightly misleading. Wibbly Pig does not choose a pet at all. Instead Big Pig's sister's friend is choosing a pet, but Wibbly and Scruffy can't wait to meet. They imagine all sorts of pets she might choose. Could it be an elephant, a polar bear or a dinosaur? They think of all sorts of fun choices, while hoping she chooses anything at all except a rabbit. Rabbits are boring according to Wibbly and Scruffy - at least until they see one.
At age five, I would think my son was getting a bit old for Wibbly Pig, but when he spotted this on the list of books for review, he was dying to try it. Although he usually prefers chapter books now, I go out of my way to keep him interested in picture books as well. I feel that picture books are essential to emergent literacy, and the Wibbly Pigs are excellent for this with the huge black print on a clear white background allowing children to follow along as a parent reads the story. The font is slightly different, made up of tint spots, which may prove distracting for a few children. This did not present a problem for my child, but at this point he is only picking out a few familiar words. I am sure this book will prove very useful once more when he begins to read more on his own. I think this book is best suited for sharing, but is is excellent for children to read on their own at a later date as well.
My son enjoyed looking at each potential pet and saying why that wouldn't do for a pig. He mentioned that the polar bear would probably eat the pigs - and I think he may have been right on that one. His favourite potential pet was the hadrosaur - but of course all dinosaurs are extinct. We even wondered if they could have a pig for a pet. This book is wonderful for creativity and discussion with older children. A younger child would be able to learn the names of several animals as well. My son liked seeing the little pigs proved wrong. The illustrations are captivating too, but then we expect this from Mick Inkpen. He really does bring the characters to life with a style that is all his own. But the very best part of all - according to the boys, was the poo. If you look closely at the picture where the rabbit is thumping you will see several round balls. I have to admit I didn't catch this myself the first time, but my sons certainly did. The very last page has an even better illustration of poo - two types of poo in fact - what better way to finish of a story for very young children?
If this book appeals then you might also like to have a look at:
Don't Lose Pigley, Wibbly Pig! by Mick Inkpen
The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards and Hannah Shaw
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You can read more book reviews or buy Wibbly Pig Picks a Pet by Mick Inkpen at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Wibbly Pig Picks a Pet by Mick Inkpen at Amazon.com.
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