Angel Pig and the Hidden Christmas

by Jan L. Waldron, David McPhail (Illustrator)

One divine little pig changes the face of Christmas for a poor family of porkers whose hopes are set on TVs and CD players as gifts, but who turn out to be magnificent bakers and makers--splendid gift givers in the original tradition of the Christmas holiday.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Animals

24 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations are almost enough to offset the heavy-handedness of the standard Christmas-shouldn't-be-about-consumerism message.

[Maexo♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it! I have been looking for this book for the longest time. It was my favourite book as a child and I couldn't recall the title, but I remembered bits and pieces of what it was about and managed to find it. This is such a great book and I'm going to be reading it every night before bed once the copy I've ordered online arrives. I don't know why this book has such a special place in my heart, but the story's simplicity and Christmas theme really make it wonderful. I love the little pigs as well.

[April Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from my Grammy at Christmas time! I can't tell you how much I love it! Even after Christmas was over I would beg my mom and dad to read it to me one more time before they put it away with our other Christmas books.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great DYI Christmas story !

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Mcphail’s illustrations are wonderful! Text a little choppy in its rhyme.

[CK529 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story; holidays are about caring and sharing not shopping and buying.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angel Pig encourages to give from your heart and get crafty with what you have. You don't need money to create a special Christmas!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Christmas display at the really small library near me. The cover was colorful. What can I say, I judge books by their covers sometimes.

Anyway, this one was much better than I could have imagined. If I'd done my usual flip through to determine if there were too many words for my busy almost 3 yr old, I wouldn't have picked this up and missed out. It follows the meter of "A Night Before Christmas" but in a totally different story which gets to how Christmas can be enjoyable and fun even without lots of money for gifts, etc. This one isn't religious in anyway, but totally hits all the right non-commercial, non-greedy buttons that are so needed this time of year.

Checked out for the 2nd year in a row...

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to the cadence of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," this charming story tells of a big pig family with no money and how they think their Christmas is ruined. After a visit from an Angel Pig they realize the real gift of Christmas is in being with each other and they set out to make presents, decorations, and dinner with the things they already have. A very cute way to help kids understand that presents are not the important part of the holiday.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars In the cadence of the classic "The Night Before Christmas" this is a story of Pigs, who for some reason or another don't have any money for Christmas gifts.

Why I like this book..the visited by an Angel Pig and she tells them to make stuff from things they had. Also, the didn't need a pre cut Christmas Tree they had a beautiful evergreen tree in their front yard.

For someone that tolerates Christmas I actually enjoyed this book..crazy I KNOW!

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family of pigs are preparing for Christmas when they discover there is no money for Christmas gifts. The pigs are sad and have no hopes for a merry holiday until a visit from the Angel Pig helps them to learn the real magic of Christmas.

Beautiful, detailed illustrations. Text is written in rhyming verses.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adorable, heartwarming Christmas story. The pig family is sad, because they forgot to save money up for Christmas, so they don't have any. They believe you need money to have Christmas. Angel Pig to the rescue!! Angel Pig lets them know that Christmas isn't about money and presents at all. Now, the piggies must get to work, there still just might be enough time to save Christmas after all. =)

[Anna]

A bit preachy for me, and I personally think this style of rhyming verse feels copy cat and gets old for me. But the kindergartner gives it 4 stars.
Nice sentiments, even if told in a preachy way. Very Christmasy.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being a resident of the city of flying pigs, this book's subject seems a bit strange to me too. But Jan L. Waldron and David McPhail have created a delightful holiday story that children and adults will enjoy.

[Ellen Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite December books. The message (Christmas does not require expensive gifts) is told with humor and rhyme.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

#105 I love this beautiful book that condemns the commercialism of Christmas in such a lovely way.

[Alexandria K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book, because it has pretty pictures, and a nice story.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poetic "Twas the Night Before Christmas" style story, that entertains and speaks against the materialism of Christmas. It was entertaining to read aloud and the illustrations are nice.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Christmas story. It's for kids but I've read it every year since my grandparents gave it to me when I was ten.

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess if you believe in angel pigs this book is good!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice art and a good morale. It REALLY annoyed me that angel pig is wearing tennis shoes. What angel wears tennis shoes?

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in verse, this is a story about a family of pigs who decide to have a homemade Christmas when they discover they have no Christmas funds.