Half a Pig - Hardcover

Allan Ahlberg is one of the most acclaimed and successful authors of children’s books, particularly in partnership with his late wife, Janet, who died in 1994. Perhaps best known for the Jolly Postman series, Allan Ahlberg is also the author of MONKEY DO!, THE SNAIL HOUSE, and THE BRAVEST EVER BEAR.

Jessica Ahlberg is the daughter of Allan Ahlberg. HALF A PIG is her first book.

Gr. 3-5. Though it's not immediately apparent that this is less a picture-book story book than a conceit about writing, older children and young listeners will know something is up: the author addresses them directly, and provides them with a creatively designed list of words to keep an eye (or ear) out for. The lightweight story, punctuated somewhat jarringly by arch asides, revolves around a divorced couple's dispute about the ownership of a pig. Rude, sausage-eating Mr. Harbottle wants to consume his half; kindly Mrs. Harbottle and her two neighbor children don't want their porcine friend to be cut up. The tale isn't as engaging as many of Allan Ahlberg's previous books, nor is it really an instruction manual for new writers (there's nothing about writing plot or developing character). The book is mostly about facility with language, and with an adult's introduction, it can be used to demonstrate fun ways to use words in building a story. This is Jessica Ahlberg's first picture book, and her soft watercolor, pencil, and ink illustrations, on clean, white backgrounds, are charmingly accessible. Diane Foote
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