The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett

Opening: “ Not that long ago, in a kingdom not far from here, a farmer was traveling home from the market with a cartload of straw.

Topics/Themes: Fairytales, Fun, Honesty, Happiness.

Published By: Walker Children’s, September 27, 2011.

And enjoy the look on the face of the handsome prince, when he realizes to whom he’s been betrothed. Enjoy the clever references to classic fairy tales. Enjoy the giggles of your children when they see Pigmella face-first in the royal buffet. Enjoy that there are parents in this book who actually think their daughter has been turned into a pig. Well today I am asking you to throw purpose out the window, and just enjoy. Or maybe you are looking to share with your kids the books that you loved growing up, in the hopes that someday they will do the same for your grandchildren. Or maybe you’re trying to help your kindergartner get over her fear of school. We’ve all read the research that says, reading to kids is good for them! Maybe you’re reading an ABC book to your toddler to help him learn his letters. There are some great lessons about honesty that can used in the classroom as well.When we read to our kids, we often have a purpose in mind. The Princess and The Pig is a delightful tale that would be a great addition to any home or school library.

The refrain used throughout the book “ the sort of thing that happens all the time in books” made me smile each time it was used.

The bright, fun, illustrations perfectly compliment the story.

This book does have a happily ever after for some of the characters, others do not have a happily ever after, which is an unusual twist.

Unlike most princess books, this book dares to show some of the not so nice parts of being a princess/pig which is a refreshing change.I love that the author references traditional fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Princess, and Thumbelina in the book, but does not actually use them in the plot.Kissing a frog has done wonders before, but will it work for a pig? The kindly farmer and his wife believe it’s the work of a good witch, while the ill-tempered king and queen blame the bad witch-after all, this happens in fairy tales all the time! While Priscilla grows up on the farm, poor yet very happy, things don’t turn out quite so well for Pigmella.

Priscilla the princess has accidentally switched places with Pigmella, the farmer’s new piglet. There’s been a terrible mix-up in the royal nursery. The Princess and the Pig written by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Poly Bernatene (Walker & Company, 2011) is a delightful tale that is not your usual princess story.

I also enjoy when an author adds a fun or quirky twist to their story, and on a recent trip to the book store I found a new book to add to my list of favorites. There is something fun about taking a well known story and turning it on it’s ear.

The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett