Big Pig and the Lost Elf

by Randy Briley

It’s Christmas time and well-meaning Big Pig wants to help around the farm. Things keep going wrong, however, and the other farm animals are losing their patience. After crashing the tractor, the pig sadly retreats to his pen just as something amazing happens: the North Pole’s littlest Christmas elf falls from Santa’s sleigh and lands right in the middle of the farm! Big Pig rushes to help and promises to get him back to the North Pole. The two set out on an amazing adventure as they travel the globe searching for the elf’s wintery home. Will the bumbling pig be able to get the elf home safely? Read Big Pig and the Lost Elf to see how this unlikely duo become the best of friends. Adults and children alike will enjoy sharing this funny, heartwarming, and beautifully illustrated Christmas story.

For more information about Randy Briley's books and artwork, please visit www.ravenmadstudios.com.

40 pages, Paperback

First published December 23, 2013

About the author

Even as a child, Randy Briley was bringing the creations of his imagination to life through the drawings and stories that he was continually scribbling in his sketchbooks. His love of both art and science led him to pursue an engineering degree at Northern Arizona University until the urge to create overpowered him. He switched to the art program to earn a BFA in visual communications. Briley spent the next twenty years combining art and technology as an art director in the video game industry, producing dozens of hit titles on all platforms. While juggling his hectic day job, he consistently stayed awake into the wee hours of the night in order to bring his own characters to life. Recently, he wrote a young adult novel, Mr. Underneath, and compiled a book of his sketches, Sketchboy. He is currently working full time on writing and illustrating several visually stunning children’s books. Whether through the imagery of the written word or his unique visual style expressed in ink, watercolor, oil paint, sculpture, or digital art, Briley always has a story to share with people of all ages.
Briley lives in Seattle with his wife and two children. www.facebook.com/ravenmadstudios

Reviews

[Tracy Yim Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son throughly enjoyed their whimsical adventures. I loved the illustrations. There are very few children's books that are tolerable for adults to read over and over and over again (kill me), but I didn't mind this one. It's become a part of our Christmas story traditions, along with The Night Before Christmas and the How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won Big Pig and The Lost Elf by Randy Briley in a GoodReads Giveaway. I received a children’s illustrated storybook with light-purple glossy cover and 30+ pages of full-page illustrations.

Big Pig and The Lost Elf is a Christmas Story told in rhyming verse about a farm pig wishing to give the gift of a helping hand for Christmas. Unfortunately, each job ends in less than desirable results as Big Pig puts forth his best effort but fails miserably at each task. Eventually turned away by the farm, Big Pig seems to have failed in his desire to spend Christmas helping others.

But then Big Pig encounters Lost Elf, fallen from Santa’s sleigh and lost on Christmas morning. Presented with this new opportunity to help, Big Pig promises to accompany Lost Elf to the North Pole.

What proceeds is a series of panels of Big Pig and Lost Elf all over the world and more as they try to make their way to the North Pole encountering no more success than that of Big Pig’s previous attempts at farm chores. Lost Elf doesn’t seem to mind, however, as their adventures along the way are implied with each new illustration of exotic location.

Big Pig and the Lost Elf is adorable, with engaging illustrations and details that inspire further conversation. The rhyming verse is clunky once or twice, but after a couple of reads goes down smoothly. The watercolor illustrations have an animated, greeting-card kind of look that is both modern and timeless. In describing it the proverbial “instant classic” comes to mind.

Big Pig and the Lost Elf is recommended as a delightful story time book for parents reading to young children. The rhyming verse and locations are just a bit more complicated than young ones can handle alone, but the story is just a bit too light for older children to appreciate individually.

[Helen Shapley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's never too late or too early to begin looking for Christmas presents or a good holiday story! I recently got the book Big Pig and the Lost Elf, and read it to my two youngest boys (ages 9 years and 11 months). Both boys were enamored by the beautiful illustrations and cute story plot. The story's poetic cadence provided a rhythm that kept even my 11 month old's short attention span at bay!

This heartwarming story begins with Big Pig, who tries to spread Christmas cheer to his fellow friends and neighbors on the farm. However, because of his clumsiness, things keep going arry, leading everyone to tell Big Pig to, "Go Away." While sitting alone feeling sad and rejected, an elf who fell out of Santa's sleigh lands near Big Pig. Seeing that the Elf is lost, Big Pig decides to help him find his way home. Together they travel all over the world to find The North Pole. Through this search, the unlikley pair form a strong friendship and vow to spend every Christmas together.

This story teaches a lesson on helping one another and building friendships. It is sure to become not only a Christmas classic, but a story that can be enjoyed all year round.

[Kristin Briley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: My husband is the author and illustrator of this picture book. All loyalty put aside, I think this book is absolutely darling! I love the cadence of the text, the eager but fumbling pig with a heart of gold, all the crazy and funny adventures, and of course, the tie-in to the spirit of Christmas. The illustrations are abolutely adorable...I want to frame them all! My children beg to have me read it again and again. Despite a Christmas theme, this will be staying on our bookshelf all year round.

[Terri Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Pig and the Lost Elf is Mr. Briley's latest creation. This is a wonderful, fun book for kids of all ages. The illustrations are so amazing, just darling. The story is a heartwarming one set at the Christmas season but applicable to all times. Big Pig wants only to be helpful and do good but encounters some obstacles along the way. He ends up fostering a special friendship between himself and a little Lost Elf. I am looking forward to many more fantastic creations. Keep 'em coming Mr. Briley, keep 'em coming!!!!