Title: Business Pig
Author & Illustrator: Andrea Zuill
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books, 2018
Ages: 4-7
Themes: pigs, business, jobs, adoption, animal sanctuary, being different
Opening:
One Morning at the Sunshine Sanctuary for farm Animals, Jelly Bean the sow gave birth to a litter of piglets. Right away the volunteers noticed something unusual.
Synopsis:
Right from the start, everyone at the barnyard could tell Jasper wasn’t like his siblings: “I believe what we have here is a gen-u-WINE Business Pig!” No wallowing in the mud or rooting for grubs for Jasper; he’d rather help with the bookkeeping or conduct a meeting. Though everyone at the animal sanctuary loves him, Jasper longs for a forever home. But no matter how many business cards he hands out, no one wants to adopt him. Can this above-average pig find his special person to cut deals with?
Why I like this book:
Go on, tell me another picture book about a business pig. Right?! Darn, but that title just sucks you in with originality and this story so does NOT disappoint. Yes it is an evergreen tale about being different and finding someone else different to love you. But, what a stinkly original way of doing it. I laughed my way through the flow charts, and business plan right through to the pet contract at the end. I love how supportive all try to be but in the end it is Jasper himself who has to take the plan into his own trotters, which he does with all the business acumen he can muster.
Jasper is totally cute in his black suit with his exec. coffee cup and morning minutes! Zuill uses expression, quirk and Business Pig’s diminutive size to render the reader instantly in love with this piglet. It scores a ten on the charm scale.
Activities/resources:
I would have the kids draw pictures of pigs in different work gear… baseball pig, florist pig, nurse pig, lumberjack pig…
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
And that cover just pulls you in. I’d pick it up if I saw this on display! The flow charts and business plan sound hilarious! Thanks for sharing.
That cover is very compelling.
The cover is so darn cute! Screams buy me! First story I’ve heard of about a business pig and is sounds like a great story to talk about differences. Enjoyed your activities!
Thanks, Pat. It’s an impressively creative twist on being different and finding others who get us.
Not sure why I received an error – page not found message on first comment. Trying again –
I’m thinking that kids also get a mini MBA while reading this, too. Brilliant!
Sorry about that. Comments seem to glitch now and again.
Yes, business 101! 🙂
Oh my goodness this sounds delightful. Love the unique premise. And is a good mentor text for one of my WIP’s. Thanks for the review!
Oo glad it could be useful too.
I can’t wait to find this book! What a great way to “sneak” in this topic, wrapped in a friendship blanket. Your review was awesome, including all your pig puns. Thanks for highlighting this book.
Glad you enjoyed the review. Jasper has a way of getting into peoples’ hearts.
Yes! You had me at the title! I can’t wait to see this one!
Right?! Titles ARE important.
Sounds hilarious! I’m off to look for this one!
This one looks hilarious & I love the combination of animal sanctuary & adoption! And that title & cover – really drew me in!
This looks SO fun! I just ordered a copy through interlibrary loan.