Review By MARSHA RAKESTRAW
The last laugh is on the farmers in The Great Pig Escape by Eileen Christelow. Bert and Ethel decide to try their hand at pig farming. When it’s time to take the pigs to auction, the pigs concoct an escape plan that includes pilfering clothes, impersonating townspeople and boarding a bus to Florida. Bert and Ethel search all over town for the pigs but don’t discover what happened to them until months later when, having returned to vegetable farming, they receive a box from Florida with the missing clothes and a postcard that merely says “Oink!”
The illustrations really capture the humor and hijinks of the story, enhancing it with nice wit and detail. Children will root for the clever pigs and laugh at the clueless farmers and townsfolk. This is a lighthearted animal liberation story, with the pigs in charge of their own rescue. Great for reading aloud.
Ages 5-8.
Dianne Ejvindsen // Apr 8, 2010 at 1:02 am
That sounds like an adorable story; I look for it for my son’s 6th birthday.
Jacqueline // Apr 8, 2010 at 2:43 am
Sounds cute! I just logged on and picked up a used copy off eBay. Thanks for the review!
Mary Pat Champeau // Apr 9, 2010 at 2:40 pm
I love the integrity of the pigs returning the clothing they stole to make their big escape (to Florida — as if they’re going on spring break!). It delivers a nice message to kids, and to all of us, that we shouldn’t do harm in order to do good, and if we do, we might want to go back and rectify it as best we can. Thanks for a great review!
Jessica // Apr 13, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Wow, there are copies of this book available on paperbackswap.com. I’m getting one for my kiddo — but I can see there’s at least one more up for grabs.
Jenn Kali // Jan 3, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Thanks for the review! We got this for our daughter for Christmas and we all love it.