Pig Pig Gets a Job
PreSchool-Grade 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, OHCopyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.