Ruthann and Her Pig

by Barbara Ann Porte, Susie Stevenson (Illustrator)

While visiting his cousin Ruthann in the country, Frank decides that her pet pig Henry Brown would be the perfect companion to ride with him on the school bus for protection against wild older kids

84 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 1989

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you imagine that Daniel Pinkwater and Cynthia Rylant could both influence the same story? I would never have guessed that off-beat humor and down-home heart could be mixed up with a child much more engaging than Fern Arable to give a reader, lucky enough to discover this, a real treat.

This has a graceful, resonant writing style and insights into a child's heart that's subtle and easily overlooked by the reader who just wants fun, but can be appreciated by those of us who are tired of books that aren't special.

Bright and happy illustrations bring it all together.

The only thing missing is more about the pig. For that, read Charlotte's Web or Dick King-Smith.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars (2 stars for the story & 4 stars for the illustrations) -- For once, I do not even know what to say. This story is so disjointed for me. Ruthann, her pig (which goes through multiple names until he becomes Henry Brown), her mom & dad, her cousin Frank (who has allergies), his mom & dad (the dads are brothers), the grandmother, and the grandfather (who just shows up after being missing for decades?! and just moves in like nothing?! and hooray. or not?) are all part of the story and randomly pop in & out of it. The title points to Ruthann, but the main part of the story is about Frank and his desires involving Henry Brown. Because Frank has numerous allergies, Henry Brown with his lack of fur & feathers does not make him sneeze, so he wants the pig to come for a visit. He also believes that Henry Brown would be a buffer between him & the bully on the bus. Regardless, the book is a bit odd, and the illustrations (by Sucie Stevenson of Henry & Mudge fame) are the best part.