Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3-6. In this fifth tale about Pig Pig, economics is the issue. Pig Pig wants money, and his mother gently informs him that earning cash is the way to obtain it. "`Like work?' squealed Pig Pig. `Like a job?' `Exactly like,' said his mother. `Any ideas?'" Immediately Pig Pig dreams up exotic options that fit his fancy--making mud pies, building houses, fixing race cars, picking up trash at the dump, and taking care of circus animals. His mother quietly mentions that each idea has a parallel right in their own home. Finally, Pig Pig bursts out with the idea that he could work for her--making sandwiches, building a birdhouse, washing the car, cleaning his room, and feeding the cat--and they could call the work his job. McPhail's full-color, dramatic artwork meshes precisely with the tone and theme of his tongue-in-cheek story. He captures with perfection the imagination of Pig Pig and the firm but understanding resolve of Mother. A guaranteed success for story hour. ~--Deborah Abbott
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-- McPhail's plucky porker returns. This time, Pig Pig is looking for spending money and is surprised when his mother suggests that he earn it. A young fellow like Pig Pig quickly conjures up grandiose images of himself as a homebuilder, race-car mechanic, wild-animal trainer, and more. Mother patiently counters each fantastic proposal with a more manageable, less glamorous possibility. Pig Pig finally decides that Mother could hire him. Pig Pig's experience shows how a caring adult can strike a clever balance while gently guiding a young planner back to reality. His mother is a sounding board, never scolding or scorning, but quietly offering alternatives. Pig Pig discovers the best choice from among myriad possibilities and has the pleasure of finding his own success. McPhail's characteristic style is present: large watercolor images highlighted with ink lines and deeper tones for contrast. The youngest listeners may miss the subtlety of Mother Pig's guiding hand, but new readers will appreciate the quiet humor. --Virginia E. Jeschelnig, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When an astonished Pig Pig discovers that money must be 'earned', he dreams up some high-flying schemes, all of which his mother reinterprets into small household tasks - and an allowance is born. The exuberant, large-scale pictures bustle with Pig Pig's lively and messy ideas and his enthusiastic response to Mom's more practical suggestions. From HORN BOOK 1990, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
