Pigaroons
PreSchool-Grade 3–Every year, the River Patrollers (a group of pigs that live on Porcine Ridge) cut a block of ice from the pond, carve it, enter it in the Ice Festival, and usually win first prize. They are understandably upset when the Pigaroons (pigs descended from Spanish pirates) steal their ice and sculpt it into a huge statue of Hernando de Soto for their entry. Disgusted with their rivals' dishonesty, the River Patrollers hatch a daring plan. After honing and polishing a huge ice lens, they take to the sky in their flying machine, focus on de Soto, and melt the statue. They also burn a portrait of the explorer into the snow for good measure. The River Patrollers end up with first prize after all (for their cleverness) and the Pigaroons are told not to steal–"Not that that would ever do any good." Geisert's delicate etchings are full of humor and detail, and complement the spare text perfectly. His pigs wear clothes, move like humans, and generally behave in a very un-porcine manner. Their flying ship is just that–an old-fashioned sailing ship elevated by a hot-air balloon. This light and whimsical story, with its very original premise, will engage children's imaginations, and maybe even spark an interest in early Spanish explorers.–Jane Barrer, Washington Square Village Creative Steps, New York CityCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.