Piggybook by Anthony Browne

I picked up Piggybook from the bookshelf because the drawing of the family looked familiar, like a Christmas ornament I had seen once was designed after these people. Their rosy cheeks and thin, curvy mouths rang a bell. I was amused by the illustrations throughout the book. The author/illustrator, Anthony Browne, begins to slowly sprinkle in more pigs and pig related artifacts with every turn of the page. This would definitely be fun for kids to explore.

This book looks at the life of one family appropriately named the Piggotts. Every day when Mr. Piggott and his sons wake up, they expect Mrs. Piggott to make them breakfast and send them out into the world while selflessly staying behind to clean up their messes and make them dinner. Finally, Mrs. Piggott has had enough and does not wait on her family, who gradually turn into pigs complete with hooves and tails.

Unfortunately, I had lukewarm feelings at best for this book. The Piggotts certainly learn to become more self-sufficient, however there was nothing particularly exciting about the book. I was unable to make any real connection to any of the characters - nothing drew me into wanting to know more about their lives or even, really see a change (except to give their poor mother a break).

Though it was not my favorite story, I do see how Piggybook could be utilized in the classroom. If students had a reputation for not cleaning up around their areas, especially following art projects, a teacher may read this book to show her students that she is not responsible for cleaing up after them. Pretty soon, she may stop all together and her classroom would become filled with pink snouts and curly tails - this could be a friendly and fun reminder for younger students to clean up.

Piggybook could also potentially be used around the time of Mother's Day or when entering a family unit. It can open up a discussion about what parents and loved ones do for us that we normally take for granted.

Piggybook by Anthony Browne was just okay for me. Yet the pictures were fun and it could definitely be used to teach students a lesson about personal responsibility.