The Pirate Pig and Ruffleclaw

Gr 3–6—The pirate pig Julie sniffs out treasure the way other pigs sniff out truffles. Stout Sam and Pip find her washed up in a barrel on a beach, and when they let children play with some of the treasure they find, greedy pirate Barracuda Bill finds out and steals Julie for his own nefarious purposes. Will Sam and Pip be able to steal her back? In the second story, Ruffleclaw is a four-armed earth monster who lives in his burrow under the tool shed. He makes occasional nighttime visits to Tommy's house and decides to move in with the family when he falls in love with the creepy piano music played by Tommy's mother, food from their refrigerator, and shampoo to drink. Tommy must convince his mother and then his father that Ruffleclaw and his messes will be a good addition to the family. The author herself narrates, and her portrayal of Ruffleclaw is nothing short of fabulous, growling, and with a slight German accent.