The Princess and the Pig for Picture Book Wednesday

Today's book was a lesson in not judging a book by it's princess.  Yes, I actually shied away from this one because of "Princess" in the title, but rest assured this book is well worth the read.  You will laugh at the intelligent humor and realize that the best princess books don't have to mimic the Disney characters we know and love.

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Title:       The Princess and the Pig

Author:    Jonathan Emmett

Target:     Preschool - Grade 2

What this book is about: 
Princess Priscilla and Pigmella the piglet switch places in a freak accident.  Both the King and Queen and the Farmer think that magic spells are at work because “it’s the sort of thing that happens all the time in books.”  They accept their fate (a piglet princess for the kingdom and the daughter they always wanted for the farmer) until years later when the farmer’s wife hears of the princess who turned into a pig.  She realizes what has happened but when she and the farmer try to return the princess … well more fun ensues.

Why I love this book: 
This one has been around for a few years but I never picked it up because of “princess” in the title.  Yes, after my daughter’s princess phase I thought if I ever had to read another princess book again it might just be the end of me.  I wish I had smartened up sooner.  This book is clever and funny.  My daughter and I couldn’t stop giggling as everyone accepts the most absurd possibilities, simply because it may have happened once in a book.  It is a true testament to the power of imagination!

I also love that it is not a typical “princess” story.  With it’s dry humor and a happily ever after which does not include being a princess, it sends a lovely message to kids.

Who this book is for:
The silliness of this story make it absolutely appropriate for boys and girls.  Don’t let the princess in the title turn you off to reading it to boys.  Learn from my mistakes.

Final thoughts: 
I love a good fractured fairytale and this one did not disappoint.  I only wish I had found it sooner because it will  now be on my gift list.

To purchase this book:
Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: The Princess and the Pig  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.