Could anything possibly be more fun than a pig parade!? It certainly sounds like a good idea. But actually, a pig parade is a terrible idea. Pigs h...
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Jan 22, 2012
Chanel
rated it: 
A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea is brilliant.
1. The art is funny.
2. It suggests that you say "pig parade," which is fun to say.
3. The arguments presented in it are rhetorically sound. (I want to use this book with my writing students.)
4. It has marching band-like things in it.
5. It has a strong thesis statement.
6. Everyone in my family loves it.
This book is so good that today we awarded it the Steven Colbert Award for the Literary Excellenc More...
1. The art is funny.
2. It suggests that you say "pig parade," which is fun to say.
3. The arguments presented in it are rhetorically sound. (I want to use this book with my writing students.)
4. It has marching band-like things in it.
5. It has a strong thesis statement.
6. Everyone in my family loves it.
This book is so good that today we awarded it the Steven Colbert Award for the Literary Excellenc More...
Feb 04, 2011
Kathryn
rated it: 
Okay, so, on the one hand I'm not sure how much I like the idea of a book telling kids that their idea of having a "pig parade" is a "terrible idea"--why be so discouraging of imagination? And, I happen to really like pigs. BUT, ohmygosh, the reasons why we should NOT have a pig parade are so very, very funny and so well told, I just thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! The illustrations are humorous with a clever blend of realistic portrayal of pigs (no cartoon versions
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Jan 28, 2012
Rita Crayon
rated it:
Wonderful! Such excellent Voice. Such excellent illustrations. I am delighted.
The voice reminds me of my friend Irvin, who loves to set up what sounds like "a good idea" and then hilariously shoot it down. (So, Irvin, if you're looking for books to read to little ones, get this one! No one will know you're reading! They'll just think you're talking!)
But everyone should get this book. I'm guessing I'll give it to kids who are on the slightly older side--by which More...
The voice reminds me of my friend Irvin, who loves to set up what sounds like "a good idea" and then hilariously shoot it down. (So, Irvin, if you're looking for books to read to little ones, get this one! No one will know you're reading! They'll just think you're talking!)
But everyone should get this book. I'm guessing I'll give it to kids who are on the slightly older side--by which More...
Jun 02, 2011
Great read aloud. I can imagine some great fun using this book to teach persuasive writing!
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May 19, 2011
Laura
rated it:
A funny book that I actually appreciate! The narrator starts out by stating that while you might think a pig parade sounds like fun, it's really a terrible idea. Pigs don't like wearing uniforms, won't march down the street, and have awful taste in music. This book will make a wonderful read aloud and kids, as well as adults, will appreciate the dry humor.
I especially like that the 'idea' pictures are charmingly illustrated with bright colors and cartoonish shapes; the reasons t More...
I especially like that the 'idea' pictures are charmingly illustrated with bright colors and cartoonish shapes; the reasons t More...
Apr 03, 2011
Candice
rated it: 
I guess this is another of those books that kids like, but leaves me not too impressed. The author supposes that the reader thinks a pig parade would be a great idea, but then sets out the reasons why it would be a terrible idea. Pigs hate to march but love to snuffle, they absolutely refuse to wear majorette uniforms, they don't care about floats (except for root beer floats, which they love). The illustrations are humorous and some show pigs at their piggiest (lollipop stuck to the snout, c
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Mar 12, 2011
Jen
rated it:
This is a very cute book and a great read aloud! At first, one may think that having a pig parade would be a great idea, but after reading the author's reasons for NOT having one, we definitely see that is is a TERRIBLE idea! I read this to one of my 1st grade classes and they LOVED the illustration talking about the floats that pigs like...root beer floats! One of the students said I should have made root beer floats for them to drink while I read the book! That's a great idea and one I'll
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Jun 14, 2011
Emilie
rated it:
I picked this up at our local library and, once home, realized it was written by a (sigh) celebrity. I have been in this trap before with Fergie's awful kids books and Madonna's plagiarized tales. But we read through it and were laughing out loud! The humor was just right for my 7 year old, but younger kids will not get the jokes. For kids around 6 or 7 and up this is a winner.
It was funny, cute, well illustrated and a bit cheeky. Perfect!
We will definately buy this book More...
It was funny, cute, well illustrated and a bit cheeky. Perfect!
We will definately buy this book More...
Sep 23, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
This just came into the library and intrigued me once I realized who the author was. Michael Ian Black's voice shines in this persuasive picture book, arguing just why a pig parade is a TERRIBLE idea. The humor appealed to me, though it will definitely go over the heads of most of its intended audience. Parents, though, will enjoy such jokes as "My Tears Are Wet 'Cause My Mud's Gone Dry." The illustrations by Kevin Hawkes are tastefully and beautifully done to complement such dry h
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Nov 17, 2010
Angie
rated it:
Funny. One of my favorite lines ... "In fact, the only floats pigs care about are root bear floats, which they love." This is one actor (loved him in Ed!) that while he isn't my most favorite in the entire world is actually fairly respectable at this new avenue for his creativity.
Would never have pegged the illustrator as the same person who did Library Lion ... the art styles seem very different. Not in a bad way ... but just different.
Would never have pegged the illustrator as the same person who did Library Lion ... the art styles seem very different. Not in a bad way ... but just different.
Oct 05, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
A pig parade sounds wonderful, doesn't it? But from their dislike of marching to their selection of music, it turns out that pigs do not put on a good parade. The delivery is somewhat formal, even dry. When coupled with the realistic (okay, "realistic" is relative) drawings of pigs tossing their majorette uniforms on the ground ("Nonsense. Everybody looks sharp in a majorette uniform..."), the whole thing becomes hilarious. Gr. PreK-3.
Jun 28, 2011
Susan
rated it:
I didn't realize Micheal Ian Black is a children's author until today! I'm planning to read this for my school-age storytime today instead of one of the many "America is great, we love hot dogs" Fourth of July books we have in the library. I figure this book is about a parade so it works. Also it is hilarious and I think the kids are going to get a big kick out of it.
Looking forward to reading some of Black's other titles.
Looking forward to reading some of Black's other titles.
Mar 05, 2011
Dolly
rated it:
This is a funny, but pretty strange story about pigs. I like that it sparks the imagination and stimulates rational thinking about the different reasons why a pig parade would be a terrible idea. The illustrations are very silly and are sure to make children laugh. We heard this story read aloud during library time for our youngest daughter's Kindergarten class and the kids all really liked it. The ending is pretty funny, too.
Sep 17, 2010
Uflchildrens
rated it:
Oh My Goodness!!! This book is so funny. By the same author and illustrator as Chicken Cheeks which is also laugh out loud funny. The author describes why a parade of pigs, while it sounds fun, is not a good idea for a wide variety of reasons. The text is funny but the pictures are priceless! Any kid with a good sense of the ridiculous will thoroughly enjoy this book. Rachel V.
E/Black
E/Black
Mar 13, 2011
Marcie
rated it:
This will appeal to kids with that weird sense of humor. Illustrations are fun.
This is one of the 4 nominated books for 1st and 2nd graders to read in 2011 at Bank Street School. This is the first year any teacher or librarian of 6-8 year olds can work on the curriculum and vote by registering at School Library Journal and submitting children's votes by April 11, 2011.
This is one of the 4 nominated books for 1st and 2nd graders to read in 2011 at Bank Street School. This is the first year any teacher or librarian of 6-8 year olds can work on the curriculum and vote by registering at School Library Journal and submitting children's votes by April 11, 2011.
Jul 19, 2011
Dale
rated it:
Age of readership: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Diversity: Imagation
Description of the illustrations: Full color acrylic illustrations.
Personal response to the book: A funny story of what would go wrong if pigs had their own parade. Curricular and programming connections: A fun story that would be read at a young reader's story time in the library.
Genre: Picture Book
Diversity: Imagation
Description of the illustrations: Full color acrylic illustrations.
Personal response to the book: A funny story of what would go wrong if pigs had their own parade. Curricular and programming connections: A fun story that would be read at a young reader's story time in the library.
Jan 26, 2011
Peacegal
rated it:
Wonderful illustrations and dry wit highlight this rumination on what would happen if a group of pigs paraded down a city street. The pigs are depicted as realistic animals in all of their porcine glory—and there’s a subtle lesson here about trying to fit animals into roles we prefer as opposed to what they want be.
Oct 20, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
This is just so cute and funny. Read it to find out the very solid reasons a pig parade is a bad idea (they won't wear majorette uniforms, and show an apalling disinterest in pig-themed literary floats.) Then go back and savor the dynamic illustrations of pigs being pigs in wholly appropriate muddy watercolors. I loved it!
Sep 11, 2010
Connie
rated it:
Hilarious book about why pigs do not cooperate in parades! Nice big illustrations and funny references to other children's books about pigs. Would make a great program--pig books, pig parade, famous literary pigs, etc. Book would work from older preschoolers through older elementary school--3rd or 4th grade.
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Oct 19, 2010
Rachel
rated it:
Cute idea, cute illustrations, but not written for kids. Tell kids "the disinterest in pig-themed literary floats" and "utter lack of discipline regarding proper balloon handling" and you'll lose 'em. Disappointing...would have been really cute if written with kids in mind.
Jul 07, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
Nice work, Michael Ian Black, nice work. I didn't pay attention to who wrote this when we grabbed it off the shelf; it is not the work of a celebrity-turned-children's-book-author at all, but someone who has a nice long career writing solid, funny children's books.
Apr 12, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
Would be a fun read aloud. The author explains all the reasons that a pig parade is a terrible idea, including the fact that they listen to sad country ballads instead of marching music. "I Just Wanna Plop in this Bucket 'o Slop" would not make good parade music!
Dec 23, 2010
Donalyn
rated it:
At first glance, a pig parade sounds like wonderful idea, but when you consider pigs' lack of interest and inability to hold balloons in their hooves, a pig parade is a terrible idea. Hilarious illustrations from Kevin Hawkes compare our dream pig parade with reality.
Nov 05, 2010
Renae
rated it:
I just read this this afternoon and it had me cracking up at work (children's librarian). The illustrations are fantastic and the text is really funny. The humor is a little advanced for the preschoolers but they would probably still like the story. LOVED this one!
Jul 07, 2011
Alyssa
rated it:
This book gets major props from me for being really creative! This book was SUPER fun for me to read out loud for one. It allowed for all hinds of facial expressions and tone and pitch changes. And the art was very whimsical and fun. LOVED LOVED LOVED this!
May 27, 2011
Danie
rated it:
Older children will definately like this story about why Pigs should not participate in a parade. I think it could have been written in a way that a younger audience may have enjoyed it which could have made it more appealing to use in Storytime.
Nov 06, 2010
Marguarite
rated it:
One of my favorite authors and one of my favorite illustrators made a book! How lovely!!! Not as good as "Chicken Cheeks" or "The Wicked Big Toddlah" but all-in-all a satisfying, original, humorous story with nifty illustrations :)
Jan 24, 2011
babyhippoface
rated it:
The first time I read this book (out loud--it's important to read it out loud, so you get the full effect of the purposeful language), I laughed so hard I cried. About 5 different times. And the illustrations are a terrific complement to the story. I don't think your average classroom full of kids would think it's that funny--again, I think it's the language that makes it so hilarious--but I loved it.
TEST RESULTS = Inconclusive. Which means, I gave this book to my older sister (middl More...
TEST RESULTS = Inconclusive. Which means, I gave this book to my older sister (middl More...
Oct 22, 2010
Brenda
rated it:
Thank you, Michael Ian Black, for writing a picture book on why a pig parade is a terrible idea. I've never thought of it before and you've probably spawned some awesome storytime activities with this here book.
Apr 11, 2011
Bridget R.
rated it:
A pig parade is a great idea. What? Are you sure about that? I think a pig parade is a terrible idea. Let me tell you why.
What I thought: This book is as entertaining as Black's others (Chicken Cheeks & The Purple Kangaroo). I like how the narrator tries to convince the reader that a pig parade is, indeed, a terrible idea. A Pig Parade Is A Terrible Idea is a humorous book that will appeal to readers of all ages. I love the illustrations. They are so colorful and realistic. My favori More...
What I thought: This book is as entertaining as Black's others (Chicken Cheeks & The Purple Kangaroo). I like how the narrator tries to convince the reader that a pig parade is, indeed, a terrible idea. A Pig Parade Is A Terrible Idea is a humorous book that will appeal to readers of all ages. I love the illustrations. They are so colorful and realistic. My favori More...
