This Little Piggy: An Owner's Manual

Gr 1–3—From the author of the "Kung Pow Chicken" series comes a guide to tricking one's parents and procuring a pet pig. Chapters are divided into steps to execute this plan, including selecting a pig, giving it a bath, and feeding the pig (who just so happens to love stale jelly doughnuts). In the end, the scheme pays off and the pig becomes the new family pet. Cute and funny, the second-person narrative will engage anyone who has ever yearned for a pet. Checklists appear at the beginning of each chapter, giving the story a how-to feel. The young protagonists attempt to appease their mother by keeping the pig clean and feeding it vegetables, which provides an opportunity to include new vocabulary and promote healthy eating. The page layouts feature word bubbles and some boxed images, which will appeal to graphic novel fans but could be difficult for new readers to follow.