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Emmett's Pig
Emmett really wanted a pig -- not a stuffed pig, or a glass pig, or a picture of a pig. He wanted a real pig. His parents explained that a boy couldn't keep a pig in a city apartment. But as Emmett's birthday drew near, he felt maybe he would get the pig of his dreams. First published as An I Can Read Book in 1959, Mary Stolz's warm story is presented here in picture-book format with Garth Williams's illustrations fully colorized by renowned artist Rosemary Wells.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1959
3 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Mary Stolz
86 books34 followersMary Stolz was a noted author for children and adolescents whose novels earned critical praise for the seriousness with which they took the problems of young people. Two of her books ''Belling the Tiger'' (1961) and ''The Noonday Friends'' (1965), were named Newbery Honor books by the ALA but it was her novels for young adults that combined romance with realistic situations that won devotion from her fans. Young men often created more problems and did not always provide happy ever after endings. Her heroines had to cope with complex situations and learn how to take action whether it was working as nurses (The Organdy Cupcakes), living in a housing project (Ready or Not), or escaping from being a social misfit by working for the summer as a waitress (The Sea Gulls Woke Me).
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 24, 2020
This is an adorable book! Perfect for all little children, but especially appropriate for those who have wanted a pig (like my son).
The pictures are really nice, and the story is sensitively told from a child's point of view.
Read on Open Library.
The pictures are really nice, and the story is sensitively told from a child's point of view.
Read on Open Library.
March 4, 2019
Timeless, even though now some details are more like historical fiction. Warm,joyful, just what the cover hints at. Love the parent's solution. Well worth the reissues, and the coloring of the pictures.
January 2, 2020
This book was originally published in 1959. Even though I wasn’t born until 1960, I remember this story from when I was a child. Emmett loves pigs, he has paper pigs, stuffed pigs, pig puzzles and everything but what he wants most of all, a real pig. Emmett lives in an apartment in the city and is told by his parents that pigs live in the country. Emmett even offers to put dirt and plant grass in his room to make his pig more comfortable, but his parents won’t allow it.
For his birthday, his parents find a way for Emmett to have a pig and stay with them in the city. Instead of a story about a boy and his dog, this is a fine story about a boy and his pig “They are both named Emmett and they are very good friends.”
For his birthday, his parents find a way for Emmett to have a pig and stay with them in the city. Instead of a story about a boy and his dog, this is a fine story about a boy and his pig “They are both named Emmett and they are very good friends.”
January 31, 2011
Reason for Reading: Ds read aloud as his reader.
Even though we are missing the first few pages of this book it really didn't matter to the story. We could easily tell what had been discussed on the missing pages as it was recapped for us on a further page. This is a darling book! The story is about a boy who just loves pigs and has his whole room decorated with pigs and pig everything. He wants a pig of his own but they live in the city so his parents always so no. Emmett has dreamed everything about owning his own pig, how he'll care for it and even what he'll name it. But then along comes his birthday and his parents have a surprise for him.
I picked up this book because I pick up anything Garth Williams illustrated and I used to read Mary Stolz as a young teen. I thought it was unusual that she had done an I Can Read Book. Well, ds loved the story because it was about a boy obsessed with something and ds, being autistic, is always obsessed with something so he knows how it feels and he laughed and got excited for this boy. I loved the book because it is so darling! The story is just plain good old-fashioned wholesomeness, no gimmicks, no big actions scenes; just a story about a boy and a pig. The illustrations are gorgeous and I just love them. As we were reading I wondered if the book was still in print, seeing as Williams is such a favourite but then came the pictures of the Father smoking a pipe and I knew that if it was still in print it would probably have been re-illustrated. My absolute favourite picture in the book is of the family in the living room and Emmett is asking for the pig. We some mum and dad in chairs. Mum is in a dress with matching necklace, feet in slippers resting on a footstool, reading a book. Dad is right beside her wearing a sweater, shirt and tie, leaning back in an easy chair with pipe clenched firmly in mouth whilst reading the paper. Emmett stands next to them. Lovely nostalgic picture done in peach and green. I see that the book is out of print now but it was re-published back in 2006 as a paperback I Can Read Book and "Garth Williams's original illustrations appear now in full color with help from renowned artist Rosemary Wells." So the lovely 2 tone peachy-pink and green colours of the original are gone and I'd be interested to know if Dad's mouth is empty! Worth adding the original to your collection.
Even though we are missing the first few pages of this book it really didn't matter to the story. We could easily tell what had been discussed on the missing pages as it was recapped for us on a further page. This is a darling book! The story is about a boy who just loves pigs and has his whole room decorated with pigs and pig everything. He wants a pig of his own but they live in the city so his parents always so no. Emmett has dreamed everything about owning his own pig, how he'll care for it and even what he'll name it. But then along comes his birthday and his parents have a surprise for him.
I picked up this book because I pick up anything Garth Williams illustrated and I used to read Mary Stolz as a young teen. I thought it was unusual that she had done an I Can Read Book. Well, ds loved the story because it was about a boy obsessed with something and ds, being autistic, is always obsessed with something so he knows how it feels and he laughed and got excited for this boy. I loved the book because it is so darling! The story is just plain good old-fashioned wholesomeness, no gimmicks, no big actions scenes; just a story about a boy and a pig. The illustrations are gorgeous and I just love them. As we were reading I wondered if the book was still in print, seeing as Williams is such a favourite but then came the pictures of the Father smoking a pipe and I knew that if it was still in print it would probably have been re-illustrated. My absolute favourite picture in the book is of the family in the living room and Emmett is asking for the pig. We some mum and dad in chairs. Mum is in a dress with matching necklace, feet in slippers resting on a footstool, reading a book. Dad is right beside her wearing a sweater, shirt and tie, leaning back in an easy chair with pipe clenched firmly in mouth whilst reading the paper. Emmett stands next to them. Lovely nostalgic picture done in peach and green. I see that the book is out of print now but it was re-published back in 2006 as a paperback I Can Read Book and "Garth Williams's original illustrations appear now in full color with help from renowned artist Rosemary Wells." So the lovely 2 tone peachy-pink and green colours of the original are gone and I'd be interested to know if Dad's mouth is empty! Worth adding the original to your collection.
November 9, 2013
Emmett’s Pig is a book about a young boy names Emmett who loves pigs. He collects pig things and now feels he wants to have a pet pig. His parents however will not allow him to have a pet pig in their apartment. Emmett is a curious boy who asks his parents many questions about what it would be like to have a pet pig, there responses always reassuring Emmett that a pig would not be able to live with them. Emmett beings to consider how busy he is, thinking maybe he would not have time for a pet pig. When his birthday arrives, Emmett is surprised when his parents take him to a farm. At the farm, Emmett meets his new pet pig, King Emmett. King Emmett will live on this farm and the famer will update Emmett on King Emmett’s life. Emmett is very excited, and know one day he will return to visit Kind Emmett in person.
October 5, 2017
What a sweet story! (And it has aged remarkably well!)
I feel like I may have read this before, yet it also seemed pretty new to me.
The story is magnificent, and the illustrations are pretty simple - only a few colors, but they get the job done. Emmett is such a sweet boy, and his reactions to things are so age-appropriate - he reminds me of several of my storytime kids!
Now I'm going to spend the rest of the day resenting my parents for never getting me a penguin. :-p
I feel like I may have read this before, yet it also seemed pretty new to me.
The story is magnificent, and the illustrations are pretty simple - only a few colors, but they get the job done. Emmett is such a sweet boy, and his reactions to things are so age-appropriate - he reminds me of several of my storytime kids!
Now I'm going to spend the rest of the day resenting my parents for never getting me a penguin. :-p
October 27, 2018
A city boy loves pigs and longs to see a real pig. When his parents won’t allow him to raise one in his bedroom, he determines to be a farmer when he grows up. In the meantime “[f]or a boy without a pig, Emmett was very busy.”
Interesting story about a focused little boy, with wonderful illustrations by Garth Williams.
Interesting story about a focused little boy, with wonderful illustrations by Garth Williams.
January 30, 2020
A lovely children's book about how parents love their child so much they enable him to have a favorite experience! Spiritually shows the concept of attraction: thoughts attract what the person thinks most about. The author has a good grasp of how children really feel deeply.
October 13, 2007
i really wanted a pig every time we'd read this (or charlotte's web)
February 15, 2008
I don't know why I was attracted to this boy's story. I loved the illustrations as a kid and I love reading this story to my kids.
August 21, 2009
I remember reading this book as a kid! I loved the illustrations and I thought the pigs looked adorable.
December 15, 2009
Picture Book. Emmett really wants a pig, and so his parents get him one for his birthday.
May 21, 2010
Logan is very tender-hearted about animals and enjoyed the idea of Emmett getting to have a "part-time" pig.
February 4, 2012
Emmett loves pigs, but when his parents refuse to move to a farm or let him raise a pig in their apartment, he runs out of ideas.
March 28, 2014
read this when I was a little girl. I wanted a pig for my own room!
May 15, 2019
Excellent story for emerging readers. Children can relate to longing for a unique pet. Thank you for another wonderful book!
January 28, 2023
Easy Reader. Renton Highlands library.
OK, this is one of the first books I ever owned. I still own it. It remains a big favorite. It's perfect in every way. It is the best book ever written. No arguments accepted. It has suspense, drama, resolution, strong moral fiber. And a dad who smokes a pipe!
When I picked it at the library, I kept it even though I also got another from the shelves (the policy when I grab a book I've already read) because I wanted to see if it held up and also to enjoy the shiny 60 year sticky on the front. It completely holds up.
OK, this is one of the first books I ever owned. I still own it. It remains a big favorite. It's perfect in every way. It is the best book ever written. No arguments accepted. It has suspense, drama, resolution, strong moral fiber. And a dad who smokes a pipe!
When I picked it at the library, I kept it even though I also got another from the shelves (the policy when I grab a book I've already read) because I wanted to see if it held up and also to enjoy the shiny 60 year sticky on the front. It completely holds up.
March 11, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Grade Range: K - 3rd
This was a very cute book! I remember that it was my mom's favorite book and because of it she always wanted to own a pig when she was younger, just like Emmett! I really liked how passionate Emmett was about pigs! Emmett was able to have his own pig, even though the pig lived way out on a country farm. This book can teach us that sometimes we have to be patient and wait for the things that we want!
Grade Range: K - 3rd
This was a very cute book! I remember that it was my mom's favorite book and because of it she always wanted to own a pig when she was younger, just like Emmett! I really liked how passionate Emmett was about pigs! Emmett was able to have his own pig, even though the pig lived way out on a country farm. This book can teach us that sometimes we have to be patient and wait for the things that we want!
June 4, 2021
It's just a story about a city kid who loves pigs and gets to adopt one who lives on a farm, and, living in the city and having a son who loves animals, it just destroyed me with its sweetness.
June 20, 2023
Sweet! A complement to Charlotte's Web.
July 22, 2024
“Best book and way ever.”
(read aloud by himself at 4yo, one word missed ‘silo’.)
(read aloud by himself at 4yo, one word missed ‘silo’.)
November 22, 2013
If you have young readers in your home or classroom, "Emmett's Pig" is a good option. Because it is a chapter book, beginning readers will have accomplished an entire chapter book while reading a relatable story about not being able to get exactly what you want. Emmett is a young boy that lives with his family in an apartment. He has a passion for pigs and wishes very badly that he could have one as a pet. His parents are very persistent that a pig cannot live in their home, however they come up with a creative way to make Emmett’s dreams come true. With the help of his creative parents, Emmett gets to have the best of both worlds, having a pig but keeping his lifestyle. I enjoyed that Mary Stolz adds another layer to the simple story of boy wanting pet. This layer is introduced when Emmett starts to second guess himself wanting a pig because he is such a busy boy, would he have time to take care of a pig? I like this because children don't always think in this practical way, and this could serve as a good example.
March 28, 2008
Got this at Walmart, yeah cause it had a pig...loved it. it's a very cute story, and Emmett is a boy after my own heart. If, scratch that WHEN i get my pig i may consider namin him Emmett. haha
May 3, 2011
No review.
April 21, 2018
This story is about a boy named Emmett who loves pigs. He has every type of toy pig you can imagine. He constantly asks his parents questions about having a pet pig and what it would be like. His parents always tell him that he can't have a pet pig in their city apartment. On Emmett's birthday he gets a very unexpected surprise. His parents take him out to a farm and give him a pig that will stay there. he names the pig King Emmett and the farmer tells him he can come see him whenever he'd like and that he will send him updates. Emmett is very happy and knows he will see his pig soon.
This was my favorite book when I was little. I loved how even though he couldn't keep the pig with him, his parents still found a way to give him one.
I would use this in a lesson about pigs. It says a lot about what they can't live in and I think it would be a cute way to start a lesson.
This was my favorite book when I was little. I loved how even though he couldn't keep the pig with him, his parents still found a way to give him one.
I would use this in a lesson about pigs. It says a lot about what they can't live in and I think it would be a cute way to start a lesson.
Read
December 5, 2018This was a very cute story.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews