Pig the Monster

Pig the Monster by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic) RRP $17.99 ISBN 9781760979010

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

Pig the Pug returns in a book about Halloween. Well, to be precise, a book about what Pig the ‘Monster’ does on Halloween. Barely recognisable in a range of costumes including Frankenstein, a spider, a werewolf, and a mummy, Pig rampages the neighbourhood for sweets. When he doesn’t get what he wants, he takes revenge, playing tricks on people. Basically, he behaves very badly. Staying true to his former reputation, he then binges his overload of goodies with quite disastrous (and messy!) consequences. 

Pig’s naughtiness is captured humorously in the illustrations, his gleeful expression always present except for at the end where he sits, looking very unimpressed next to a ‘modest buffet’. Trev the dachshund, is dressed as a unicorn in a pink leotard, which is wonderful. Trev then saves the day which produces the most alarming illustration – the ‘warm chocolate soup’ which emerges from Pig’s mouth, and heads towards a bunch of wide-eyed onlookers.

The rhyming verse includes great words like ‘unhinged’, ‘gluttonous’, and ‘unprecedented’ (rhymed with ‘tormented’). A lovely turning point in the text is when Trev warns, ‘Dogs Can’t Eat Chocolate’. But of course, Pig doesn’t listen. The question is asked at the end: ‘He really is nicer. And much kinder too. An old dog learned new tricks?’ The illustration on the last page suggests maybe not … 

This is the seventh Pig the Pug book from Australian author and number #1 New York Times best-seller Aaron Blabley who has around 20 million books in print including his The Bad Guys series and Thelma the Unicorn. His latest, Pig the Monster is fun to read aloud and suitable for preschool to early primary children. It should also give the adults reading it a bit of a giggle and do especially well around Halloween.

Pig the Winner

Pig the Winner by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press) HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-76015-428-8

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Pig the Pug and his good friend Trevor are back. This time it’s Pig’s need to win at all costs that is highlighted. And as always, it is up to Trevor to save the day, and the Pug, but does this long suffering sausage dog get any thanks? Well, no, not really. But Pig does learn his lesson and the two dogs emerge as close as they were in the beginning.

Pig the Winner is a hilarious look at fair play and sportsmanship. 

Told in rollicking, rhyming verse which is a joy to read aloud, this cautionary tale will be an instant hit for those, young and old who have already fallen in love with these two dogs, and for those who are meeting them for the first time.

Trevor would say to him

‘Let’s just have fun.’

But Pig would reply –

‘It ain’t fun till I’ve won!’ 

The illustrations support the tone and humour of the story. Bright, glossy pages feature fabulous expressions on the two friends, taking the meaning of the text a step further. 

Fabulous fun for three year olds and older, Pig the Winner is the third Pig the Pug book. Each is as enjoyable as the last.

Aaron Blabey is a multi-award-winning author/illustrator and his genius is not in picture books alone. The Bad Guys is a very funny graphic novel series for middle grade readers which I would highly recommend as well. 

Pig the Fibber

Pig the Fibber by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-906-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Pig the Pug is back. After his comeuppance last time he is still greedy, but now he has learned to be sneaky as well and tells lies in order to blame everything on his friend, the long suffering Trevor.

‘Why do you do this?’

Asked poor little Trevor.

‘I thought we were friends.’

But Pig said, ‘Whatever.

Pig the Fibber lives up to the standard of Pig the Pug. Totally cheeky, totally fun and with a rollicking rhythm which makes the words sparkle and bounce off the page. The characters of the two dogs, and the relationship between them comes across loud and clear through both the text and illustration. And the story-line, while conveying the important themes of truthfulness and friendship, does not feel moralistic.

Blabey’s illustrations are humorous, bold and expressive, and add story to the words. Preschool children will easily ‘read’ the pictures but I’m sure their adult readers will be happy to read it to them over and over again.

I am a huge fan of Aaron Blabey and cannot wait to see what he produces next.

Thelma the Unicorn

Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-580-4

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Thelma the pony and her friend Otis the donkey live contentedly in a field. Well, Otis is content. Thelma wants to be different... She would very much like to be a unicorn.  But, becoming a unicorn and being famous do not turn out exactly as Thelma has imagined. Maybe she would be happier as her old self again?

The rhythm and rhyme is pleasant - without lines which sound forced - and rolls off the tongue easily. The text is clear and straight-forward with pure even rhyme, perfectly suited for the pre-schoolers who will enjoy this book.

'And that was when she saw it.

A carrot on the ground.

It gave her such a great idea,

She squealed and jumped around.'

The illustrations are delightful and full of colour.  In one, Thelma flicks through a magazine in a sun-lounger on the deck of a yacht called 'The Fairy Princess'.   In another, she’s hounded by paparazzi and fans.

This fun story about finding out what really matters in life will appeal to young girls – especially with its unicorn, its pink and glitter, and its fantasy of fame.

Aaron Blabey wrote one of my favourite picture books of last year, Pig the Pug, and Thelma the Unicorn carries a smilar humour and likeable characters.

Pig the Pug

Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-477-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

This is an absolutely delightful book. Pig is a pug dog who will not share. He is selfish and rude and in the end receives his comeuppance in a most unexpected, humorous and satisfying way.

Told in rhyme which rolls off the tongue smoothly, the sing-song rhythm creates an atmosphere of immediacy and just begs to be read aloud over and over again.

    He lived in a flat

    with sausage dog, Trevor.

    But when was he nice to him?

    I’ll tell you – NEVER.

Young children will identify with the behaviours displayed by both Pig and Trevor, recognising which ones are unreasonable and antisocial.

The illustrations are big and bold and funny. Trevor with his glorious toothy smile will grab hearts immediately, while fat wrinkly Pig with his big eyes and big frown hugs his bowl of food or toys to his chest. It is a story which could be followed through the pictures alone which emphasise the humour of the text on every page. I cannot remember loving an ending to a picture book more and the concept that pigs cannot fly is used so effectively without it feeling like a cliché.

Ultimately a story about sharing and bad puppies coming to a sticky ending, this is such a fun book. I giggle each time I get to the end. Children from the age of three and up will appreciate the humour, the concept and the cheekiness of this fabulous rollicking story.

The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon

The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey (Viking)

PB RRP $29.95

ISBN 978 0 670 07474 7

Reviewed by Gail C Breese

In landscape format the cover illustration sets the scene for this delightful ghost story in mixed media using subdued colours of greys, browns and greens.

The people of the village of Twee had a problem. They feared that the town was haunted by a ghost called Miss Annabel Spoon. She appeared amongst the townspeople at any time of the day or night and they were terrified.

‘Enough is enough,’

Puffed the Mayor in a huff

To a crowd who were equally cranky.

‘Things must be improved,

Yes she must be removed.’

Then he patted his head with a hanky.

Brave young Herbert Kettle had an idea: he’d go to the witch’s house in the woods and ask why she haunted the town. Annabel was so glad to see Herbert and in tears told him that she was tired of being alone. Herbert promised to be her friend and now she no longer haunted the townspeople who were happy again.

The rhyming text has a pleasing rhythm which is fun to read aloud. The illustrations are intriguing and expressive.

Aaron Blabey’s first picture book Pearl Barley and Charley Parsley received a CBCA Award in 2008. Sunday Chutney was shortlisted for CBCA picture book of the year 2009.