Piglet and Papa

by Margaret Wild, Stephen Michael King (Illustrations)

For all children who have wondered what their parents are thinking, this warmly illustrated book is perfect for bedtime and story hour. Piglet feels a little insecure—she has upset her papa. Does that mean he no longer loves her? Horse, Sheep, Donkey, Duck, and Dog all tell her that they love her—but they know someone who loves her a million times more! Who can it be? In this affectionate barnyard tale, Piglet’s loving relationship with her papa will comfort every child who has ever been naughty to get attention.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Family, Love, Storytime, Childrens, Number

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable! When little piglet accidentally plays a little too rough with daddy, she mistakes his pain (from the little injury) for a dismissal. As she wonders through the barnyard, she meets other animals, seeking reassurance that they love her. They say what they love most about her, but remind her that there is someone who loves her even more. It's not hard to guess the ending but it is still super sweet and this is definitely a gentle way to reassure children that, no matter what, their parents will still love them more than anything in the world. By the way, the illustrations by Stephen Michael King are marvelous and he is fast becoming one of my favorites in the children book realm.

[Amie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Copyright Date: 2007
Number of Pages: 32
Book Format: Hardcover
Grade or Reading Level: Preschool - 3rd grade
Genre: Fiction
Lit Requirement: Predictable Book
Topic Tags: animals, pigs, love, family
Summary & Review/Response:
Little Piglet loves being around and playing with her Papa. One day, Piglet upsets her Papa and feels bad about it. Since she feels like her Papa is mad, Piglet wants to find who loves her. She starts the search to find whoever loves her most. She asks all the animals in the area, who all tell her the same thing. They love Piglet, but there is someone that loves her a whole lot more. Who could it be?

This book was a heartwarming story about a father and daughter. I love the idea behind it and I think many children can relate to it. When a child gets in trouble, it is easy to think the adult/parent doesn't like them anymore. However, just like Piglet finds out, that is not the case. The repetition and simple vocabulary make this a fairly easy read. I would recommend this book to young readers.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all starts with a misunderstanding, which sends little Piglet off and wondering if anyone loves her. The other animals DO all love her...but not as much as her daddy does. And always will. A sweet and tender story that's just perfect for a dad to read with his little one.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

While playing with Papa, Piglet bites his tail a bit too hard. Not hearing her question to him over his grunts, Piglet leaves the sty seeking an answer to her question. What she discovers is the answer was in her sty all along!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

"trotters" got me, I'll admit, that's pretty darn cute.

[jacky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its such a nice surprise when I come across a children's book I really like by accident. I have so many nice things to say about this book. First off, it is an "I love you" book, but it isn't the type that just states again and again how much the parent loves the child. Instead, the child learns that even when she makes her father angry (or hurts him) that he still loves her, and she learns not to do the same thing again. So, the plot and message are both sweet and snuggly.

But there is more. This book reviews farm animals (horse, sheep, donkey, duck and dog) like many children's books, but it goes a tad farther by giving more detail about the features of pigs. Also, this book uses the words ten, hundred, thousand, million, and billion, and does it in such a way that shows each is larger. This is great for early math skills and could have lots of fun follow up activities. As far as early literacy is concerned, I liked how there was correctly punctuated dialog for young readers and writers to see and that the font was large for young readers to either follow along or to read on their own.

The illustrations were super cute, too!

[Monica A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this story especially heart-warming and I connected with it especially because I'm a daddy's girl. This is a touching story about a piglet who upset her dad and thought he didn't love her anymore because she had upset him. She asks her dad if he loves her and he reassures her that he definitely does. Everyone has experienced that time in their life when we have upset our parents to the point where we believe they don't love us anymore. This is a reassuring story to share with children that no matter upset a parent may be towards their child, they will always love them.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reassurances of unconditional love is what piglet is craving. Piglet and Papa play, but when Piglet chews on his tail a little too hard, Papa grunts away. Is he mad? Does he still love Piglet? Piglet asks all her barnyard friends, hoping they can give her the one answer she truly craves.

Used for "Cheep, Oink, and Moo: Chicken, Pork, and Beef" storytime-April, 2010.

[Kasmarine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Papa chased piglet out of the sty because she bit his tail. Piglet thought her papa didn't love her. She went all over the farm and asked all the animals, "Do you love me?" This is a great book to helped those feel unsecured and unloved to see the truth that they are lovable. No place like home.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little too young for the boys - Asher (6 yo) and Dex (4 yo) but sweet and sentimental nonetheless.

Piglet plays too hard with Papa so Papa sends her off. She wanders among the other barnyard animals asking if they love her (a bit co-dependent if you ask me :). They all love parts of her, but none love her so well as Papa.

Okay illustrations.

[SARAH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Piglet hurt papa and was sent out of the barn. All the other barnyard animals assure her that they love her, "But someone else loves you more". As it turns out Papa "Love[s:] [her:] best of all in the whole wide world". Imagine that.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't understand how kids wouldn't feel loved. Loving your child is unconditional, and I can't see how they'd ever think otherwise, so why write a picture book which puts a number on the love one feels for another?

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to numbers for young children, this repetitive story takes your toddler on a tour of the barnyard where they meet all the animals and learn what makes each of us lovable and special in the eyes of a parent. Little ones will delight in the bond between parent and child.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about unconditional parental love.
A sweet father's day story time book.

I prefer this book, to Wild's 2005 "Piglet and Mama," which has illustrations that are just as charming, but was a little bland.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story dealing with a common fear of children, that a parent will stop loving them if they misbehave.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Piglet upsets papa and wanders through the farm wondering if she is still loved. All the animals reassure her and in the end she finds comfort from her papa despite having been naughty.

[Patricia]

Great LOVE storytime.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and funny. Definitely a keeper.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darling story about a pig who's not quite sure if his daddy still loves him after he plays too roughly. Would make a great Father's Day read, but we used it in our Farmyard Animals preschool unit.

[Amy Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book for fathers and daughters.

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason I'm giving this a 2 star is bc my daughter likes it. I hate it.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute ""who loves ya baby?"" style of book.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could definitely work for story time... Perhaps paper clip some pages together.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for toddlers, this one has simple, repetitive text and beautiful illustrations with the message that Dads love us even when we've made bad choices.