Me First

Laugh-Along Lessons

by Helen Lester, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Being first isn't always best, as Pinkerton Pig finds out. As always, Helen Lester's wonderfully offbeat humor and Lynn Munsinger's whimsical illustrations result in a hilarious lesson about piggishness. The picture book duo of Lester and Munsinger has created six previous books, including the award-winning TACKY THE PENGUIN.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Helen Lester is the author of many children’s books. Her background with children includes being a mother of two and a former elementary school teacher of ten years. While at home with her children, Helen realized the importance of quality children’s literature. Helen started her writing career as a struggling author facing many rejections by publishing companies. Her first book was finally published in 1979. Helen Lester is a full-time writer who makes her home in New York.

Reviews

[❀angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I'll read a book and I won't be able to remember the plot one week later because it was sooo boring and bad and stupid. But I read this picture book years ago back in elementary school and after reading it again today, I realized I had remembered it quite vividly. It might have something to do with the stellar illustrations, I'm not sure. I've stated before that I judge picture books on whether or not I'd want to read it to my kids, and this is definitely a keeper. Such a good moral that will always be relevant to most children. I'm (sort-of) a grown up now and I still have the urge to yell "Me first! Me first!" I think I'll go check out the rest of Helen Lester's collection.

[debbicat *made of stardust* · Rating 5 out of 5]

What 🐷 tactic book! No Boy Scouts here. But there are the cutest pig 🐽 scouts. We laughed and laughed today in class. I love 💕 this book!

[Savannah Crider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It has a great meaning behind it, especially for elementary students. It is about a pig named Pinkerton who always wanted to be the first one to do anything. However, there comes a time in the story where Pinkerton learns that it is not always best to be first. I think this book has a great lesson behind it for students to know that they do not always have to be the first one to do something.

[Almira · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you do story times, and the children enjoy "pig" stories, you can't miss with Me First.
I am not sure if this is still in print - "my copy" is a deleted copy from our library system. I usually read this at least once a story time session.

Pinkerton (star of the book) "was pink, plump and pushy" - always wanting to be first in everything! Until the "sandwitch" educates him.

Helen Lester has teamed up with illustrator Lynn Munsinger once again to create "magic".

[Ellice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted more from this picture book. The illustrations of Pinkerton and his porcine companions are adorable, but things got a little weird at the Sandwitch.

[Julia]

Summary: This book follows a very boisterous pig named Pinkerton. He always must be first, no matter the situation. He will stomp on snouts, jump on bellies, push and shove, he has got to be first. When his pig scout troop goes to the beach, his need to be first for everything gets him in trouble.

Evaluation: This book has wonderful illustrations that really brings the book to life. The book is all about pigs so it makes for some funny pictures that really grasp the reader. This book has a good lesson behind it. It shows that it is not always good to be first.

Teaching Ideas: This book would be excellent for Kindergarten, first, or second grade, especially at the beginning of the year. Read this book to the students. While reading this book stop and talk about what he is doing wrong. And if that is good behavior in the classroom or in general. After the book is finished you could have the students draw a picture of something he did wrong in the book. And something he could have done instead.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite children's books that is both entertaining and educational. It's a humorous story with fun illustrations that work to teach the lesson that 'first is not always best' as Pinkerton Pig encounters a Sand Witch on a pig scout outing. I love to use this book in the beginning of the year in a series of other read alouds to build the classroom community and routines. This one is specifically for lining up and why we have an ABC line order for the children. The students always think the story and the illustrations are entertaining.

[Madison Shiflett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a pig scout, Pinkerton, who always had to be first. Everything that the pig scouts did, Pinkerton had to do first while chanting "me first!" This got him into some trouble when he ran into a small creature, the Sandwitch. The Sandwitch made Pinkerton take care of her, since he always wanted to be the first to do things. Pinkerton was the first to take care of the Sandwitch, even though he did not want to care for her any longer. In the end, Pinkerton learned that being first was not always the best. This story tells an important message and uses creative pictures to do so! This would be a great book to show to young children as they learn how to share and take turns with others.

[Andrés · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book achieves its goal of sowing a distasteful feeling throughout, which is thereby associated with its protagonist, Pinkerton, who always wants to do things first. I found the illustrations slightly repulsive (might be part of the intent?), and the Sandwitch feels like a scary fairytale figure who is meant to frighten children into not doing the bad or dangerous thing they're doing, like wander off alone, or--in this case--insist on always being first to everything. I suspect this one is a bit of a gamble. It might land for some but not for others. Bilingual text is always an asset.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun picture book is a really cute way to start a discussion about good manners, waiting one's turn, and sharing. Pinkerton Pig is always pushing and shoving in order to be first for everything. One day there is a misunderstanding that leads to him being first for something that he would rather not have at all. Bright, colorful illustrations and humorous text will make this a popular book with young readers.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

genre: modern fantasy fiction
grade range: kindergarten-3rd grade
personal review: This book is a great book on selflessness! It's so cute and silly, students would love to read this! It's such a fun story that kids would love to read over and over, but has such an important lesson for them as they grow up. This book had me laughing as an adult, so I'm sure that students would love it just as much!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is perfect for teaching children that being first is not always the best. I like the creative approach to teaching life lessons to young children. There is a fun twist in the middle of the story that children would not expect. The language is very easy to understand and follow. The target age of this book is 4-8.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've had this book for awhile and recently my child has wanted to read it every night. This is a good book, but it isn't a night time book. This tries to teach the lesson that being first is not always best and you shouldn't bully people to be first. If your kid is showing signs of bullying, this is a good book to read. For the record, I do not think my child is a bully.

[SaraKat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations, but the story irritated me. The selfish pig only learned his lesson due to extrinsic factors and simply agreed to take turns with others in the future to avoid having to take care of someone. This book was on my school's pillars of character reading list under fairness.

[Jaden Burdick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it was cute. its about a little pig who always wants to be first, but doesn't when he encounters a sandwitch. he finally learns his lesson of not needing to be first. I would use this in the classroom to teach patience, as well as meet some kindergarten teks. there is a lot of alliteration.

[Zach Faus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Pinkerton who has to be first at everything no matter what. It takes a special type of stranger to teach him that first is not always the best. I think for teachers this is a great book for kids to learn about taking turns and about sharing as well. I think this book would be great for k-2 age group.

[Zanna McMurtrey]

This feels like Hooway for Wodney Wat from the perspective of the antagonist. I’m not sure if the original concept was to build a story off of the “me first” way that children think, “sand witch” pun. The realist in me says it was definitely a me first lesson from the beginning, but I like the idea of just taking on any moral just to make a story about a pun. The thought just makes me laugh.

[Ryan Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good for kids aging k-2. This book has a good message that kids can learn from reading it. The illustrations and message in the story are what I think makes this a great book to read to kids or let them read themselves.

[Han · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely cute. Something happened recently to trigger a memory of this book being read aloud to me at Jackson Elementary School (RIP) in Stevens Point, WI, sometime in the mid-'90s. It was a fun little nostalgia trip to revisit.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a funny, funny book for children - and they learn a lesson without being preached to. The illustrations are great and show all the emotions that happen when someone is pushy. Great play on words, too.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Reading a bunch of picture books at the end of the year because forcing myself to read a book I didn’t like apparently broke me and I’m having a hard time reading now….*

One of my favorite books as a kid, and I still enjoyed it. Clever and fun.

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one as a kid!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cautionary tale for those who always insist on being first.

[Kelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story to teach the lesson about waiting your turn. I thought the illustrations and story line were both fantastic.

[Shelby O'Malley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is funny and a cute read! It teaches children the importance of waiting their turn and that being first isn't always best.

[Melissa T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, we love the twist in this book. The witch is so cute!

[Naira Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can help children learn manners and how to wait your turn in different situations.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something a little unexpected will show this little piggy that he has a lot to learn!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book that reminds me of Richard Scarry in terms of the animal illustrations. It has a good message about how being first is not always an important thing.

[Laurence Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to talk about being greedy. Had a nice play on words that you can use to discuss with children.