Sing a Song of Piglets: A Calendar in Verse

by Eve Bunting, Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator)

From skiing in January, to surfing in July, to giving in December, two energetic piglets romp through the months of the year in this delightful calendar in verse.

At year's end, the piglets sum up their

Sing a song of seasons, Lots of things to do.
They would be fun With only one But I'm so glad we're two!

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 23, 2002

About the author

Also known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.

Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.

Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.

In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful tribute to the pleasures of each month in the year. Example: August, "Sing a song of reading, lying in the shade. Chapter Three, you read to me! And pass the lemonade."
I have always been amazed by the body of work that Eve Bunting has contributed to children's literature. This Irish woman who transplanted to California and became an author passed away on October 1, 2023 at the age of 94. My top two favorites by her are THE WEDNESDAY SURPRISE and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR DUCK.
We miss you Eve Bunting. Thanks for all of your stories.

There are several key factors to her writing that I see:
*compassion *humor *a reverence for the ordinary moments *respect for nature *the willingness to tackle very tough subjects *offering solutions *everything presents a story!
*Eve was assigned a different illustrator for each of her books. Miraculously, each match fits perfectly.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 5 line verse for each month of the year, plus a couple of verses at the end to wrap it all up.

Some of the verses have to do with holidays (Thanksgiving, Halloween), while others have to do with traditional seasonal activities (snow skiing, gardening).

Good introduction to the months of the year and the (North American) seasons.

[Sarajo Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute book to introduce months and seasons! I love that the pattern is based on the nursery song, "Sing a Song of Sixpence" (as I was reading this, I definitely sang it in my head). You can easily get children involved in reading this book. I was pleasantly surprised by this book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter really enjoyed this one. It's a nice way to talk about the months of the year and the seasons.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute preschool and up book about two pigs and the adventures they have every month told in rhyme.

[Christine Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the imagery and how lyrical the poems are. It's sweet, and it would be fun to do activities surrounding each month and season.

*Used for my Storytelling course

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Eve Bunting book that both Julia and I enjoyed. And after reading her Whale's Passing we really needed this.
Each month has a special page or two dedicated to it and it goes along in order through the year. There are appropriate activites for each month also, for example in Feb. the piglets are ice-skating and in June they play softball. July shows the piglets surfing along with a cute little poem: "Sing a song of surfing, surfing in the sea. Hang your toes, the whole world knows we're fearless as can be."
All of the poems are much like this one, all cute and rhyming. This is exactly the type of Bunting book I want to find more of.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Eve Bunting and Emily Arnold McCully pair up the results are bound to please. In this case each short parody on the nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence" represents a month of the year. The verses rise above predictable to portray apt and appealing seasonal scenes, starring the piglets, of course.

[Karina Espinales · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a good book for kindergarten and 1st grade. It can be used to talk about the holidays in the calendar. However, relating it to science it explains the seasons for each month as well. It has great illustrations. It goes over the whole calendar. It is non-fiction.

[Edward Creter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this bit of poetry based on a combo of limerick rhymes and the tune Sing a Song of Sixpence and features lovable pigs! It celebrates the months and what we celebrate each month for! You too will sing a song of Sixpence None the Richer....and become All the more Richer for it!

[Shala Howell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The verses were cute, but I wouldn't want to be stuck reading it over and over again. A great one to borrow from the library.

[Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

great rhyming verse and a nice introduction to months and seasons.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun and charming poems of each month with cute little piggies to match.

Nice illustrations.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and endearing 4 verse poems about each month of the year.

[Alexandria Hiam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and endearing 4 verse poems about each month of the year.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shows calendar months with little sayings for the season.