  | Normal pig Author: Steele, K-Fai | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
Pip is a normal pig who does normal stuff: cooking, painting, and dreaming of what she'll be when she grows up. But one day a new pig comes to school and starts pointing out all the ways in which Pip is different. Suddenly she doesn't like any of the same things she used to ... the things that made her Pip. A wonderful springboard for conversations with children, at home and in the classroom, about diversity and difference.
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| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 1.90 Points: .5 Quiz: 510102 |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (00/06/19)
Booklist (07/01/19)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 06/01/2019 PreS-Gr 1–What's normal to one pig isn't normal to all. That's what Pip learns when a new classmate meanly points out her differences. These exchanges end up bothering her quite a bit, because it shakes up her innocent understanding of the world. Noticing behavioral changes in her daughter, the little pig's mom decides that it's time for a lesson. Pip's view, which was based in a fairly homogeneous community, suddenly expands. In the city, there are pigs speaking various languages, pigs of all shapes and colors, and pigs doing many jobs. The trip raises the spotted porker's self-esteem so much, that she is able to defend her choices from then on. With animal designs, ink line art, and watercolors similar to Betsy Lewin's (illustrator of Click, Clack, Moo…), Steele's illustrations also have a mirthful charm. Her style is quite versatile too; when dealing with the heavier subject matter, she clearly expresses the character's complicated feelings through the art, in conjunction with the candid text. Most children will easily connect with Pip's situation, and all would benefit by learning from her example. VERDICT For those that are just getting exposed to the wider world, whether in school or elsewhere, Steele's impressive authorial debut has a valuable message about individuality and acceptance.—Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ont. - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 07/01/2019 *Starred Review* Pip is a totally normal pig. She paints and cooks and plays and does normal pig things, until one day a new pig at school makes fun of Pip’s lunch. Suddenly Pip becomes aware of all the ways she’s different, and she doesn’t like it. When the family goes on a trip to the city, however, everyone is different—languages, skin markings and colors, food preferences—and it’s wonderful. On Monday at school, when the new pig bullies again, Pip is proud to stand by her lunch and even offers to share it. For an author-illustrator debut, this is a standout. The story line has excellent diversity messaging about self-acceptance, embracing your differences, and appreciating the variety around you, and the artwork is absolutely hysterical. The pleasure of seeing a bucktoothed pig listening to music through headphones on a bus while other pigs play cat’s cradle and fortune-teller is palpable. Although her style is quirky—utilizing a deliberate off-kilter sloppiness that results in chuckle after chuckle—it reveals a terrific range of complex emotions, from misdirected anger to righteous defiance. And if you thought your life was complete without seeing a pig hang rapturously upside down on a jungle gym or play tuba in a marching band, you were just plain wrong. Pair with Andrea Zuill’s Sweety (2019) for another celebration of being unique. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.
