"A Good, Good Pig Story"

Mansfield, Howard (2008). Hogwood Steps Out.(PreS-Gr. 2)

Christopher Hogwood is a pig who knows what he likes.  He likes nibbling in the neighbor's garden, digging up the lawn with his snout, running away from the policeman, and admiring the fine work of a backhoe.  He likes mud and apples and the fresh smells of spring on the breeze.  He also likes reminding people that he weighs 600 pounds and could run them over if he wanted to.  (Fortunately for everyone, he doesn't want to.)  If only everyone could enjoy the small pleasures of life as much as he does!  The gardener, the lawn's owner, and the policeman are less pleased with the way Hogwood tears up the ground and scares everyone away, but Hogwood doesn't mind: he has them all very well trained.

This is a laugh-out-loud story about a very smart pig and the very patient people he encounters.  There's a surprising amount of piggy information in this book, but you'll be laughing while you learn.  Share it with someone you love!

Three little pigs and a big bad wolf

Do your kids love the story of The Three Little Pigs?
Here are some more books that use these characters in a different way:

Kasza, Keiko. The Wolf's Chicken Stew.
The big bad wolf is always hungry. In this story he tries to fatten up a chicken before he makes his stew, but will his plan work?












Kulka, Joe. Wolf's Coming!
The animals all know that the wolf is on his way, but where is he going?

Sierra, Judy. Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf
B.B. Wolf is invited to a library storytime tea party! His friend crocodile tells him to always remember his manners. Will wolf prove to be a perfect guest?

And for a classic Three Little Pigs, try Paul Galdone's version.

For Young Mystery Lovers!

Pearson, Susan. The 123 Zoo Mystery. 88 p. Gr.1-3
Classroom 123 has sixteen pets, including Mrs. Lettuce, the rabbit who will soon have baby rabbits. One morning Ernie’s class arrives and finds that someone has let all the pets out of their cages, but who? It is up to “Eagle-Eye” Ernie and the Martian club to solve the mystery.


Napoli, Donna Jo. Sly the Sleuth and the Pet Mysteries. 92 p. Gr.2-4
Join Sylvia, also known as “Sly the Sleuth,” in solving three mysteries about the pets in her neighborhood. Black and white illustrations portray the characters and pets in the story.

Sharmat, Marjorie. The Sly Spy. 44 p. Gr.K-2
From the same author as “Nate the Great” comes Olivia Sharp, Agent for Secrets. Olivia Sharp solves secret problems, but this time Olivia has a problem. Another agent is covering up her ads and impeding on Olivia’s business. In addition, Olivia is hiding a feathery birthday present in her apartment. Read the book to find out what it is!

Stefanec-Ogren, Cathy. Sly, P.I.: The Case of the Missing Shoes.
48 p. Gr. K-2
Help Sly, P.I. solve the mystery of the missing ballet shoes. On opening night, Miss Lotta Oink’s ballet slippers mysteriously disappear and it is up to Sly P.I. to solve the case.

Rainy Weekend - nothing to do?

Bronco Charlie and the Pony Express, Marleen Targ Brill (Gr. 2-4) 46 p.
Children who love to read adventure stories and nonfiction will enjoy reading about a boy named Charlie Miller who in 1861 became the youngest rider for the Pony Express. Try other books in the “On My Own History” series, including Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad, Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie, and Saving the Liberty Bell.

Keeker and the Sugar Shack, Hadley Higginson (Gr. 2-4) 46 p.
Meet Keeker, a nine year old girl who lives in Vermont and owns a pony named Plum. In the third book of the “Sneaky Pony Series,” Keeker and Plum decide to investigate a new neighbor who has moved in next door. Keeker thinks that her neighbor might be a witch, but first impressions aren’t always right.

Today I Will Fly, Mo Willems (Gr. K-3) 57 p.
If your child loved Willems’ picture books, such as “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” he/she will equally love Today I Will Fly. Piggie announces to elephant that she will fly, but elephant is skeptical. Despite elephant’s negative outlook, Piggie is confident and says “I will try” and asks her friends for help. This is a great story that encourages children to ask for help, but to never give up.

The Curious Demise of a Contrary Cat, Lynne Berry (PreS - Gr. 1)
The story of a cat who is always busy doing something other than what his owner, the witch, asks. Find out what becomes of this contrary cat. Kids and parents will enjoy the creative rhyming and repetitive text that is accompanied by black and white Edward Gorey-like illustrations.