Piggybook

By Anthony Browne

Book Overview

Illus. in full color. "Mr. Piggott and his sons are a male chauvinist lot who, outside of yelling for their dinner, don't exercise themselves much around the house. When Mrs. Piggott finally tires of the endless chores that sandwich her workday, she leaves the menfolk on their own, with a note saying, 'You are pigs.' With the cooking and housework untended, they soon turn genuinely porcine, a transformation Browne foreshadows with pig faces on the wallpaper, vases, fireplace, phone. As in most of Browne's art, there is more than a touch of irony and visual humor here. Fun to read aloud."-- Bulletin, Center for Children's Books.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067980837X
• ISBN13: 9780679808374
• Release Date: September 1990
• Publisher: Dragonfly Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.3" x 9.8"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Anthony Browne rocks!

I love all of Anthony Browne's books. I've picked them so as to keep me interested in story-time as well as my kids. They are all quirky/odd (Anthony is English-born), but I really like that about his stories. My favorites are Piggybook, Changes, and Voices in The Park because they merge reality and imagination. I also like the Shape Game, but for a different reason. The illustrating is just outstanding, and make my son laugh and wonder.

Hidden and not hidden messages

I am a 2nd grade teacher who just received this book as a gift. Today I read it with my students for the first time. We loved it! Not only does the story have a good message that everyone in the family should pitch in and help, but the illustrations are wonderful. It took 2 viewings to get through all of the hidden pigs. I also think it is especially poignant that Mrs. Pigget has no face at the beginning of the book because she has no other identity except to serve her husband and sons. Reading this book led to a great class discussion and a writing assignment. A gem for any classroom or family collection.

Loved this book!

Came across this one by accident. I am a beginning Spanish student and thought I'd use children's books in Spanish to help me practice the language. That's how I found Anthony Browne. I was immediately mesmerized by the storyline and artwork. Anthony Browne is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine, and my children. Every time you read this story, there is something you missed before. It's magical how he writes/draws. Since you already have the editorial review above, suffice it to say, this guy is very talented and you won't be disappointed. Then, duh, I went back and got the English version, so now my Spanish skills are soaring with the translations. Will be collecting these from now on. Thanks Anthony! - Donna.

More than a story

This is not a story only for children. It is an introduction to the painting details too. As the complete works for children Anthony Browne has developed, this book also contains the easy vocabulary to be understood by children and the baroque drawing of every element in each picture, so you can introduce even some famous paint masterpieces to the visual memory of every reader. In this case is Velazquez. Don't think the short number of pages is for a speedy reading, you can pass slowly every page looking the multiple details subjetively put on each square.

Excellent children's book on viewing women's equality.

This is one of my favorite children's books. Mrs. Piggott gets tired of her husband and two sons because they don't help at home even though she is working full time. She leaves them and they eventually end up rooting like pigs looking for something to eat. Watch the pictures to see pigs appearing everywhere