Julius

by Angela Johnson, Dav Pilkey (Illustrator)

Maya's grandfather brings her, from Alaska, a huge, pink pig named Julius, and together the two of them learn about friendship, affection, and sharing.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Friendship, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Angela Johnson is the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor picture book When I Am Old with You; as well as A Sweet Smell of Roses, illustrated by Eric Velasquez; Just Like Josh Gibson, illustrated by Beth Peck; and I Dream of Trains, which was also illustrated by Loren Long. She has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels Heaven, Toning the Sweep, and The First Part Last. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio.

Reviews

[Roya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julius isn't an all-time favourite, but if I was on Goodreads at the time that it was read to me, it definitely would have been. The story is about a girl named Maya and her Alaskan pig. Their adventures made me want a pet pig even more. The colourful illustrations appealed to me at the time and still do (although that may just be nostalgia).

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult reading this to young kids, the best part of this is the looks on the parents’ faces when the grandfather gifts the pig to Maya without consulting them first.

[Karl Orbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dear friend, Roya, is presently adding some books from her childhood to Goodreads, reviewing old stories she loved. Yesterday, she added this book, Julius and I was lucky enough to get a bedtime story of it, with the pictures. So I have read it by proxy, in the traditional way for children's books.



Julius is about an Alaskan pig, who is gifted to a young girl called Maya by her grandfather as a pet. Though I wouldn't so much say Julius is a pet, as a friend. Her parents are really not amused by this new huge pig in their lives, but over time grow to accept him as part of the family. Maya adores Julius and he loves her too. He teaches her how to eat peanut butter out of a jar and other useful things, she teaches him manners.



It's a lovely little book, with fun illustration. I think any kid that would like the idea of a pig running amuck in their home will be thrilled by it.

[C Cybele · Rating 5 out of 5]

All-time favorite of ours, as my daughter Natalie grew up. Wonderfully subversive - illustrations spoke to us powerfully at a time when there were few books with little girls of color as main characters, and where the focus was on simple themes like mischievous fun and family time.

[Erica Flory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird

[Cheryl]

I just can't. So much destruction, not to mention the everyday messes that someone else gets to clean up. The blurb implies that Maya and Julius have to learn to get along, whereas the truth is that Maya's parents have to live with their decision to open the crate from the grandfather and let the 'kids' fall in love with each other. I'm trying to appreciate the subversive nonsense, and to see it from a kid's perspective, but I just can't.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars (it was okay)

So I saw this in the newly acquired eBooks on my library's Overdrive and decided to give it a try based on the illustrator, Dav Pilkey. I did vaguely remember this looking like an older book from Pilkey.

Regardless, I read the book. It was weird. But not in the fun way that Captain Underpants and Dog Man is weird (I know Pilkey isn't the author here but still).

Also, the zoo nerd in me is mad about the grandpa going to Alaska to get a pig.

[Ellice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate picture books that include diverse characters without feeling the need to explain diversity--those that just accept that humans exist in a variety of skin tones and show them living their random lives. The illustrations of Julius the pig are adorable, and the expressions of horror on Maya's parents' faces at Julius's shenanigans are also cute. But ultimately I wanted more from the story.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maya’s grandfather always brings her a gift ... until the day he sends one through the mail - Julius the Pig. Maya’s parents aren’t very appreciative, but Maya loves Julius. As their friendship grows, Maya’s parents slowly begin to accept Julius.

[Bree Sotirovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 cool facts I didn't know: Angela Johnson doesn't live far from me. Dav Pilkey was illustrating in 1993! I was a kid back then!

Interesting book and illustrations. Not really my cup of tea but someone will love it. It is still a good story to read aloud to a group of small children.

[Priscilla Gilman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to rate a book with fabulous illustrations and dissatisfying text. I wish Angela Johnson would re-write and re-release this one. It is almost great.

[Shaelynn Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Age Range: Primary
This is a great book that will teach kids about sharing and friendships! The illustrations are very beautiful done by Dan Pilkey!

[Grandma M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations. The story doesn't really go anywhere.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Black Author, Manners, Pigs

[Liz Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

An oldie on the new shelf at the library. Love Dav Pilkey's illustration style--always. The mom's irritated face is really one of my favorite things in this book.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya's new gift from her grandpa is one cool pig.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

a. Summary: The main character was a little girl names Maya and she was an only child that always wished for an older brother or a horse. Maya’s granddaddy came to visit from Alaska and gave her a very large present, which was an Alaskan Pig named Julius. Julius become Maya’s best friend and taught her many things she never thought any older brother could have ever taught her. Maya had so much fun with Julius which her parents had a tough time getting used to because of the giant messes they would tend to leave behind.
i. Review: my overall impression of this story is amazing, I truly enjoyed reading through this book a few times. It is full of a bunch of various things Julius and Maya did and learned from each other which I thought was very sweet. Maya’s parents were frustrated with how messy Julius was but over time Maya helped him learn manners and it pleased her parents. Julius also taught Maya many things that she then showed her friends. As a whole it showed how even though you and your best friend can be very different, finding a medium can help each other be better for themselves and others around them. This has been one of my favorite books I’ve read in this class so far, that being said I would rate it a 5 out of 5 stars.
b. Illustration and Design: The orientation of this book is a portrait and the cover is bordered with the front cover being very colorful and the back cover has a drawing on a piece of lined paper surrounded by negative space. The end pages are completely blank white pages and the cover page is completely painted. The overall orientation of this book tells us a different scene full of information on every page. Also the artistic style of movement was shown throughout the story with the direct of paint and marks on the illustrations that helped move the stilled illustrations. The copyright (1993) and dedication page (“to Ashley, who loves music too) were connected with a very intricate design of patterns and outlined with a white boarder. The medium is stated: “18 point Barcelona Bold. The illustrations are acrylic, watercolor, fabric, instant coffee, crayon, and India ink reproduced in full color”. Overall all the illustrations are very colorful and blended giving shade and a 3D feel. Also every other page has an illustration covering the entire page and the other being in a border with white space around it.

[Jamie Drutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by this book for a few reasons. First of all, the story line was very different from what I've read. I'm used to reading books where a child gets a cat or a dog, but in this case, it's a giant, Alaskan pig. The great relationship between the young girl and her pet pig, Julius, was so heartwarming that it actually made me wish that I had a pet pig that I could dress up and take shopping. Another thing that surprised me about this book, was what the illustrations were done in. It was mentioned in the peritext that the images were not only done in the regular mediums, such as watercolors, but also in more unique mediums. In this case, fabric and instant coffee was used! After reading this prior to the story, I couldn't help but be curious and excited to see if I could find what the coffee was used for, which personally made reading this more fun for me. The fabric mentioned was used on every page for both items that really are fabric, like couches and curtains, and also in more creative ways. While some pages of the book were full bleed, others had a border that were made up of these images of fabric. Although the fabric may not have matched everything else going on in the images, it was certainly quirky and fun to look at.

[Rosemary Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya was hoping for a horse or an older brother, but that was not the surprise that bounded out of the crate her Granddaddy brought her from Alaska. Nope...Instead she got Julius, an Alaskan pig whose huge pink body is matched only by his out-sized zeal for life.

Maya's parents are a bit skeptical of Granddaddy's gift (Their initial displeasure over Julius' sloppy ways is amusing), but Maya takes to him right away. They are best pals in this rollicking book by Author Angela Johnson. Their zany adventures include trying on hats in a store ("Maya liked red felt. Julius liked straw - it tasted better.") to swinging on the playground (Maya looks as if she could go flying at any moment!).

The bright, multi-colored illustrations by Dav Pilkey show their fun-loving personalities. These two are not afraid to make a fashion statement. At various times one or the other or both are sporting red cowboy boots, 3D glasses, underwear decorated with hearts, and daisy garlands on their heads.

But the story shows how each benefit from each other too, living out Granddaddy's hope that Maya learn fun and sharing. Julius teaches Maya to dance to jazz records. She teaches him that pigs can have manners. Where would they be without each other?

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this says it's a preschool version, I would definitely use it as a read aloud in my second grade classroom. It is a fantastic story of a pig named Julius who is from Alaska that comes to live with a young girl, Maya and her family. He teaches them some very important lessons about having fun and sharing. I would also recommend using this book as a focus for the comprehension skills fantasy and realism.

[Pynteya Bate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story is about a little girl who gets a pig from Alaska as a present from her grandfather. The purpose of this gift is to learn how to share with others. She ended up liking the pig, teaches him how to clean and stay clean. He, on the other hand, shows her how to have fun. This book will be good to read in Pre-K or K class.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute and vibrant book! Maya wanted an older brother and her granddaddy decided to bring her back a pig from Alaska. She named him Julius. The taught each other different things, which was really good for both of them. They loved each other very much and knew they didn't want to live without the other.

[Lauren Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic story about a girl and her best friend, a pig. This stroy teaches friendship and we can all learn from each other. This would be good for all grade levels esecpially early grades like pre-k.

[Andrea Thomas, Greenville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Students will be entertained reading this story and will be able to determine the diference between real and fantasy. You can compare the character, Julius to a real big. This book also teaches you the importance of friendship and using manners.

[Prw41894 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how this book demonstrates to not judge a book by its cover. Maya chose to see the best in Julius and proved her parents judgements wrong. I liked how the pictures were extremely colorful as well.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of my favorites when I was growing up. I enjoy how the girl develops such an amazing friendship with her pig and all the adventures they go on and get in to. This book would be great when discussing the pets students have in their homes.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maya wants a horse or an older brother for a pet...instead she gets a pig. She ends up liking Julius the pig, more than a horse or older brother. Dav Pilkey did the illustrations (Dog Breath).

[Monique Mcdonald]

Ohhh I love little Julius

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is about a girl and her pet pig. At first he is a mess and never cleans up. He teaching the girl about fun things and the girl teaches him manners and how to be clean.

[Brian Cave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maya is delighted that her grandfather brings her a present. She wished that it is a big brother, but it ends up being a pet pig.