You're a Rude Pig, Bertie
K-Gr 2–After admiring his own reflection, Bertie the Pig goes for a walk in town and hurls unnecessary insults at his neighbors along the way: “Dreadful hair today, Mrs. Harley!”; “Joseph! Your bad smell never ceases to amaze me!” etc. The porker is stopped in his tracks, though, when he sees a beautiful rabbit, Ruby, at the market, whom he instead compliments. Smitten, Bertie can think of nothing else. He decides to throw a party to impress her. Ruby, however, is not pleased that Bertie has insulted all of her friends. With everything set for the party, but no guests in attendance, Bertie cannot understand why no one has come. That night, he has a dream in which his toothbrush reveals the error of his ways: “You are rude. Nobody likes you!” Struck by this revelation, Bertie tries to make amends, but no one listens. It's not until he defends Ruby after Mr. Wolf insults her that he wins her affections. He writes apology letters to his friends and throws a second party, which has a better attendance rate. The simple colored pencil and watercolor illustrations have potential, but they are unable to carry the thin story line, which is neither fresh nor exciting. The truth-telling-toothbrush-in-a-dream sequence seems like a ploy for the purpose of a happy ending, and the comic-style layout for this one page would make for a cumbersome read-aloud. For a better “change of heart” story, try Mac Barnett's Mustache! (Hyperion, 2011).–Emily E. Lazio, The Smithtown Special Library District, NYα(c) Copyright 2013.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.