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Lunch » Tags » Books » Reviews » If You Give a Pig a Pancake Big Book (If You Give...)

If You Give a Pig a Pancake Big Book (If You Give...)

1 rating: 5.0

A book by Laura Joffe Numeroff

If you give a pig a pancake, she'll want some syrup to go with it. If you give her some of your favourite maple syrup, she'll probably get all sticky, so she'll want to take a bath. When an accommodating little girl tries to keep up with the whims of … see full wiki

Tags: Books

Author: Laura Joffe Numeroff

Genre: Children's Books

1 review about If You Give a Pig a Pancake Big Book (If...

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Dr. Seuss's Successor

Mar 25, 2008

by JP_Rocky_Raccoon
posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Rating:

If you could name one factor that helped me to fall in love with teaching once again, it would probably come from reading 'If You Give a Pig a Pancake' to a preschooler. While there were other factors for sure, this is not a hyperbole, for I know of no other top reason to fall in love with teaching better than with Laura Numeroff and her whimsical set of cyclical stories. My only regret is that while becoming winded by laughing out loud during the famous pig show, I may have startled the poor preschooler whom I know wasn't as enthralled as I was with the didactic lunacy of this kiddie book gem.

And I've read a lot of books to kids of many ages. Dr. Seuss comes to mind because of her genius and the hijinx that no one has been able to match. Besides fun and entertainment, there is a message. The children in each of these books are all doting hosts for their wild animal guests. Personification is not present. It is child-onification that takes place. The animal prima donnas are a parents' joy and nightmare. They go from one enthralling messy project to another, leaving the child helpless and exhausted by the end. Both the children and adults get and give the appreciation they deserve.

And it all wouldn't work nearly as well without the remarkable artwork of illustrator Felicia Bond. While all of the books are worthy (If You Give a Moose a Muffin (If You Give...), If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Mini Book and CD (If You Give...)et al) 'If You Give a Pig a Pancake' was the first I read; the others in the series are also a treat, but this one still stands up as the best for its photo finish.

('The Berenstain Bears' are heartwarming, but I've yet to find a better read for the little ones. Forced in a pinch, this is the one I find to fill in the gaps.)

(This review is dedicated to Judy K. Polhemus and all the other school librarians who give us so much service with a smile.)

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