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The Pig on the Hill
The pig lives all alone in a house on top of a hill. He's very happy with his quiet life. He has his books, his tidy tidy house and a lovely view. Until one morning he opens the curtains to find a duck has taken up residence on the tiny pinnacle of rock outside his window. Much to the pigs annoyance the excessively friendly duck likes the spot and decides to build a house there. With a swimming pool. And a garden and patio. The duck tries to be friendly. He's very confident and outgoing. It seems he's been everywhere (unlike the pig), done everything; skiing, mountain climbing, parachuting, scuba-diving, even brain surgery. The pig just wants to be left alone. Eventually, after a particularly loud party, the pig shouts at the duck, and the next morning finds a note pinned to the duck's front door. It GONE AWAY. At first the pig is pleased. But gradually realises that his life without the duck is quiet and slightly dull. He comes to miss the duck and regrets rejecting him. One day there is a knock on the door and the pig opens it to find the duck wearing a som- brero and carrying a pinata. He'd only been on holiday in the South. He does it every year. Maybe next year the pig will join him.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2013
3 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
John Kelly
56 books26 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. This is John^^^Kelly.
John Kelly is an illustrator, writer and designer who has worked for Scholastic, Macmillan, Hodder, Simon & Schuster, Aardman animation, Lucasfilm, Radar pictures and many others. He has been shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway prize twice (Guess Who's Coming For Dinner and Scoop!). The Beastly Pirates is his first picture book for Bloomsbury.
John Kelly is an illustrator, writer and designer who has worked for Scholastic, Macmillan, Hodder, Simon & Schuster, Aardman animation, Lucasfilm, Radar pictures and many others. He has been shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway prize twice (Guess Who's Coming For Dinner and Scoop!). The Beastly Pirates is his first picture book for Bloomsbury.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 19, 2021
Just listened to/watched Pierce Brosnan read this over on Youtube. It's a cute little story about learning to be friends with someone who is totally different and (quite literally) building bridges in relationships. A delightful book. But...let's be honest...Pierce Brosnan could read the telephone book to me and I'd probably give it five stars.
May 10, 2020
Loved this book narrated by Pierce Brosnan! 😊
July 27, 2017
What is it with ducks? This pig must be related to Jory John's bear from Goodnight Already and I Love You Already. This one would be good to read with Treehouse in our Open Court unit on friendship because duck builds a bridge between their two houses.
There are some hilarious illustrations in this book!
There are some hilarious illustrations in this book!
June 10, 2019
This is a very cute story and it honestly would be a fun way to introduce a class to migration. as well as how even when some one seems "annoying" they can still surprise you and become a friend.
May 9, 2020
Cute sweet book for kids. Enjoyable.
May 13, 2020
Cute story of discovering change can be a pleasant thing.
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May 17, 2020Read by Pierce Brosnan for #savewithstories.
June 11, 2020
I really liked this story. It's about friendship...unexpected friendship.
February 24, 2024
Fun way for children to explore social skills such as getting along with different kinds of people, and finding ways to develop a relationship with someone who seems so different.
May 21, 2025
Great illustrations
Fun story of dealing with new neighbors and how it can turn into friendship.
Fun story of dealing with new neighbors and how it can turn into friendship.
September 6, 2013
There once was a pig who lived on a hill. Everything was peaceful and quiet. Then one day a duck came to check out the view. Pig was a bit annoyed. But soon Duck left. Only, he came back…and built a house on the hill next door. Life wasn’t so peaceful anymore. Duck likes adventures, parties, and things that generally are loud. Pig doesn’t like it…but he does want to be a good neighbor. So he helps where he can. And in turn Duck tries to help Pig realize how fun life can be. However, one day Duck invites Pig to a party. Pig doesn’t like crowds, so he declines the invitation. The party is loud. The party is long. Eventually Pig can’t stand it and goes over and asks Duck and his guests to be quiet. The next day Pig feels bad and wants to apologize. But Duck is nowhere to be found. Pig feels bad for stopping his party. Eventually everything gets worked out…and at the end of the story Pig shows Duck just how good of a friend Duck really is.
This is a fun story about friendship. And about how friendship is a bit of give and a bit of take. I like the exaggerated illustration of Pig’s hill…and Duck’s hill. The improbability of either one living on top of a “hill” like that just makes the story all the more hilarious. Add a Pig and a Duck in some clothes and the illustrations in this book is almost as funny as Duck is. And that doesn’t even go over all the fun details that are in the houses. Duck has a swimming pool, a slide, and a satellite dish. When I read this to my nephew for the first time he just drank in all the fun details in the story and in the illustrations. He laughed at the end…and we had the opportunity to talk about what migration was (fun little science moment). Basically this is a fun book that kids will want to read over and over again. And…it is definitely one I will want to read in story time next year. But then again, any book that gets me to laugh out loud is one I want to share with my story time kiddos.
This is a fun story about friendship. And about how friendship is a bit of give and a bit of take. I like the exaggerated illustration of Pig’s hill…and Duck’s hill. The improbability of either one living on top of a “hill” like that just makes the story all the more hilarious. Add a Pig and a Duck in some clothes and the illustrations in this book is almost as funny as Duck is. And that doesn’t even go over all the fun details that are in the houses. Duck has a swimming pool, a slide, and a satellite dish. When I read this to my nephew for the first time he just drank in all the fun details in the story and in the illustrations. He laughed at the end…and we had the opportunity to talk about what migration was (fun little science moment). Basically this is a fun book that kids will want to read over and over again. And…it is definitely one I will want to read in story time next year. But then again, any book that gets me to laugh out loud is one I want to share with my story time kiddos.
October 3, 2013
Pig lives on a hill and has a great view and a great life...until Duck moves in. Duck is the opposite of Pig. Pig is quiet, Duck is loud. Duck likes parties, Pig doesn't like crowds.
When Duck heads south for the winter Pig's life returns to normal, but he finds himself missing his zany neighbor. Next time winter rolls around again Pig goes with him thanks to his handy invention.
So much good here. Friendship featuring complete opposites makes for funny situations and artwork is full of details that really help readers grasp what life living next to Duck feels, looks, and sounds like. I devoured all of the details in the artwork. My favorite was the tag that's visible on Pig's pajamas. It's such a small touch that really adds a lot of authenticity to the situation; tags are always sticking out of pajamas, that's life, and it's relatable for the reader to see so.
Though this a perfectly fine picture book it almost felt like a graphic novel for me as I was reading it. I think fans of Sara Varon's Chickien and Cat books will really enjoy this book.
When Duck heads south for the winter Pig's life returns to normal, but he finds himself missing his zany neighbor. Next time winter rolls around again Pig goes with him thanks to his handy invention.
So much good here. Friendship featuring complete opposites makes for funny situations and artwork is full of details that really help readers grasp what life living next to Duck feels, looks, and sounds like. I devoured all of the details in the artwork. My favorite was the tag that's visible on Pig's pajamas. It's such a small touch that really adds a lot of authenticity to the situation; tags are always sticking out of pajamas, that's life, and it's relatable for the reader to see so.
Though this a perfectly fine picture book it almost felt like a graphic novel for me as I was reading it. I think fans of Sara Varon's Chickien and Cat books will really enjoy this book.
December 9, 2014
I read this to Kindergarten and it led to lots of good observation and discussion. Pig lives a quiet life alone on a hill with great views. One day duck shows up on the next hill and decides to build a house. Pig is not happy. Ducks house is noisy and when duck has a party it pushes pig over the edge.
When pig goes to apologize he finds duck gone. It gets colder and still no duck. Finally, duck returns with gifts! He explains to pig that he flies south when it's cold. Pig decides that he'd like to go next time.
Sorry, this is an overly-simplified telling of what is a fabulous read-aloud!!
When pig goes to apologize he finds duck gone. It gets colder and still no duck. Finally, duck returns with gifts! He explains to pig that he flies south when it's cold. Pig decides that he'd like to go next time.
Sorry, this is an overly-simplified telling of what is a fabulous read-aloud!!
June 29, 2013
Ducks seem to have the reputation that they are party animals. So they only prefer warm weather. What's wrong with that? They like to live an endless summer. I liked this book a lot. I don't blame pig though, that party seemed to get too wild. I've been to parties with rhinos. They get wild and then you are the jerk that invited that rhino and then it gets awkward because you have to figure out how to get rid of him. Trust me, if you see a rhino at a party just leave. The only good thing is that they will always prevent fires.
March 19, 2014
I really like this book, as does my four-year old. My only complaint is that imparts the idea that is so popular in our extroverted society that unless you are an adventurer and out experiencing everything that life has to offer, you're missing something. I know that's not what the author intended and it really is a cute book, but if your child is the quiet, homebody sort, you might want to consider talking about how you don't have to travel all over the world and do everything to lead a happy life. That's just one person's definition of happiness.
July 10, 2013
I loved this book!
As an author, I really liked that it had a longer word count, but it didn't FEEL like it was lagging.
The pace was excellent.
Illustrations: Awesome. Colorful, great angles, and really lively.
And the story is very sweet. Pig has the sweetest spot on his hill and enjoys his life alone until Duck moves in one hill over! Neighborly disputes follow, until one day Pig goes a little too far. Will Duck forgive him? And where has Duck gone anyway?
As an author, I really liked that it had a longer word count, but it didn't FEEL like it was lagging.
The pace was excellent.
Illustrations: Awesome. Colorful, great angles, and really lively.
And the story is very sweet. Pig has the sweetest spot on his hill and enjoys his life alone until Duck moves in one hill over! Neighborly disputes follow, until one day Pig goes a little too far. Will Duck forgive him? And where has Duck gone anyway?
June 25, 2015
Age: Preschool+
Animals: Pig, duck
Opposing forces attract in the tale of Pig and Duck. Pig enjoys his solitude atop a hill with a wondrous view, until Duck decides to build his house right next door. Well defined characters and a cool setting add up to a pleasant and enjoyable read. I loved the smooth flowing story line paired with illustrations that aren't trying too hard to be fun. The last pictures are a hoot of Pig and Duck traveling the world.
Animals: Pig, duck
Opposing forces attract in the tale of Pig and Duck. Pig enjoys his solitude atop a hill with a wondrous view, until Duck decides to build his house right next door. Well defined characters and a cool setting add up to a pleasant and enjoyable read. I loved the smooth flowing story line paired with illustrations that aren't trying too hard to be fun. The last pictures are a hoot of Pig and Duck traveling the world.
November 14, 2013
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Pig lives on a hill and loves the solitary life. He's not too thrilled when Duck moves in on a hill (butte?) right across the way. This is a familiar story - introverted, curmudgeonly neighbor vs extroverted, overeager neighbor, but this one just stands out. The story and illustrations are both funny and sweet at the same time. Duck might have the best house, with the best view, ever!
April 7, 2016
This was a good book especially for those that see themselves in one of these two characters. I myself am pig. I would love things to be quiet so I can sit and read my books. But unlike pig I do not have duck as a neighbor. I wish I did at some times.
A cute story with great pictures. The kids are sure to love it.
A cute story with great pictures. The kids are sure to love it.
June 19, 2013
A quirky pig who likes to spend time on his own projects on his secluded mountain top meets up with an outgoing duck who moves in next door. Great illustrations! I could look at this one again and again!
December 17, 2014
This pig is a stick in the mud. He is immovable in his daily routine thus he doesn't like his new neighbor the free thinking duck. Duck has a good influence on pig though. Pig likes his neighbor eventually and even loosens up some!
June 3, 2013
My kids loved this book. The illustrations were lovely and the story was fun. I really enjoy reading this to them. I would totally recommend this book to kids 6 and under.
October 3, 2013
good book about friends/neighbors.
October 14, 2013
Fabulous book! I just loved it. A great book for classroom discussion on similarities and differences between friends.
December 5, 2013
Love the expressions on the pig's face. Cute story that garnered multiple readings the first night.
January 17, 2014
Read this to preschoolers at two outreach storytimes and both groups LOVED it.
April 9, 2014
Another Conor favorite! I loved it too.
July 21, 2020
My 8yo checks this out from the library often. He likes how the two become friends despite their differences.
March 12, 2014
A charming friendship story with fun and clever illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews