How Tickles Saved Pickles: A True Story

Gr 3–5—Pickles the pig used to live in a cold, damp barn before his human parents rescued him and made him their beloved pet. One day, he gets very sick and needs a blood transfusion, so his parents jump into action to find a suitable donor. They locate a match in Tickles, a 650-pound porker from a far-away farm, and with her assistance, Pickles becomes a healthy, peppy piglet once more. Pickle's parents also help find Tickles a spacious new forever home on a farm where she can live out her days as happy as Pickles. Full-bleed photos featuring the two lovable pigs and their creature companions are sure to delight young animal lovers, while the medical aspects of Pickles's journey will appeal to those with a budding interest in veterinary science. Concise and snappy text makes this an excellent read-aloud that successfully translates a complex problem for young listeners. While the story is sweet, it does lack the emotional punch of similar tales like Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Paula Kahumbu's Owen & Mzee.