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... Little Pig! #2
It's a Big World, Little Pig!: An inspiring figure skating book
A New York Times Bestseller! Poppy, the adorable, persistent, dreaming-big pig, has a new adventure in store for the World Games ice-skating championship in Paris! Poppy is nervous about meeting so many new people in a new place. But, ever courageous and supported by her family (Emma, too!), Poppy embarks upon this exciting adventure head-on. She meets a snowboarding Panda, a Maltese who skis, and two fellow skaters, a Crane and a Kangaroo. Poppy begins to realize that although these animals look different, act different, and are from different places, they are all the same at heart. They all smile in the same language!
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
About the author
Kristi Yamaguchi
19 books60 followersAthlete, artist, wife, mother, philanthropist; in each of these things Kristi Yamaguchi embodies the word champion. Her motto is Always Dream, and Kristi's accomplishments prove that dreams can come true with hard work and dedication. Her new book, Dream Big, Little Pig, is an extension of her philosophy, and of Kristi herself."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 25, 2025
Poppy Pig receives an invitation to compete in the World Games in Paris, France. Poppy's friend gives her a good luck charm and tells Poppy that "everyone smiles in the same language." Poppy soon meets and makes new friends as her adventure continues.
April 10, 2012
This book is a picture book for the children group of N. This book did not win any awards but it is written by Olympic figure skater gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. This story is about a little pig who is a ice figure skater and gets invited to Paris to compete in the World Games. She is nervous and scared at first, but her family and friends encourages her to go. When she gets there she meets from different parts of the world. The theme to this story is that meeting new friends is exciting and that everyone gets nervous when they go to a new place. But knowing that everyone goes through the same thing is reassuring. I thought it was funny that the main character was a pig, when you think of a pig, you think lazy and fat. However, this pig was far from lazy! So it breaks the perception that all pigs are lazy.This book is especially good for children who are new to the classroom or even new to America. A quote that I really like in this book was “It's a big world, little pig, but remember that everyone smiles in the same language!” A smile can definitely leave give them a sense of peace, knowing that someone cares about them.
September 17, 2016
Cute book but the story arc was not like other picture books. Kristi does know all about skating and competitions, I believe.
August 1, 2023
Poppy got an invitation to skate in Paris, France! Join her as she takes her trip and makes new friends along the way! This book is amazing and incredibly cute! It has an awesome message about believing in yourself no matter what. I would give this book 10 stars if I could! Thank you for reading! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for more fun book recommendations!
August 23, 2017
A New York Times bestselling book. It's a big world, little pig takes place in New Pork City and Poppy travels to Paris to fulfill her dream of ice skating and meets a lot of new friends a long the way. Great for having kids tell/ draw what their dream is or where they would like to travel.
December 15, 2021
What a beautiful book!! I loved the message of becoming friends with people from all around the world and following your dreams. I also loved that it was written by Kristi Yamaguchi whom I loved watching skate when I was a kid. My boys (8&9) enjoyed the sweet story as well!
September 6, 2018
Fantastic for going new places... and pretty great for this first week of school too!
November 29, 2020
Adorably Adventuress!
Great confidence boost for kids too!
Great confidence boost for kids too!
June 13, 2023
I loved how this book was one of friendship and kindness even in the face of different nations competing. Great book to read before the Olympics or before any sports competition.
December 5, 2024
This was a cute picture book. I have always loved Kristi Yamaguchi since I was a kid watching her in the Olympics.
April 28, 2012
Synopsis from Amazon.com:
Poppy, the adorable, persistent, dreaming-big pig, has a new adventure in store for her: the World Games ice-skating championship in Paris! Poppy is nervous about meeting so many new people in a new place. But, ever courageous and supported by her family (Emma, too!), Poppy embarks upon this exciting adventure head-on. She meets a snowboarding Panda, a Maltese who skies, and two fellow skaters, a Crane and a Kangaroo. Poppy begins to realize that although these animals look different, act different, and are from different places, they are all the same at heart. They all smile in the same language!
I had high hopes for Kristi Yamaguchi’s It’s a Big World, Little Pig! The cover looked cute, and it’s published by a wonderful publisher, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. It’s also the second book featuring the main character, Poppy, a little pig with big hopes and dreams. Tim Bowers illustrated this picture book, and that is where I can give the most praise. His pictures are soft and vibrant at the same time. I love that the animals he chose to draw really are the animals you would find in each country. The story line has a lot of potential, and if you have a budding ice skater, he or she will probably love it. One of the things I had a problem with was just how wordy the book was on each page. Now, I’ve read a lot of picture books. I’m a mom as well as a book blogger after all. Wordy picture books don’t scare me or usually turn me off. That is…IF the words really seem to steer the story along. There were some pages of this book that I felt like I was plugging along to get to the next part. Then, the next spread would speed me up just to turn the page and find myself plugging along in the story again. It was a bit inconsistent. While I know there are children who will appreciate and like this book, especially the illlustrations, there were a few things that I struggled with. It is due to release on March 6, 2012. I give this book 3 out of 5 books.
Poppy, the adorable, persistent, dreaming-big pig, has a new adventure in store for her: the World Games ice-skating championship in Paris! Poppy is nervous about meeting so many new people in a new place. But, ever courageous and supported by her family (Emma, too!), Poppy embarks upon this exciting adventure head-on. She meets a snowboarding Panda, a Maltese who skies, and two fellow skaters, a Crane and a Kangaroo. Poppy begins to realize that although these animals look different, act different, and are from different places, they are all the same at heart. They all smile in the same language!
I had high hopes for Kristi Yamaguchi’s It’s a Big World, Little Pig! The cover looked cute, and it’s published by a wonderful publisher, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. It’s also the second book featuring the main character, Poppy, a little pig with big hopes and dreams. Tim Bowers illustrated this picture book, and that is where I can give the most praise. His pictures are soft and vibrant at the same time. I love that the animals he chose to draw really are the animals you would find in each country. The story line has a lot of potential, and if you have a budding ice skater, he or she will probably love it. One of the things I had a problem with was just how wordy the book was on each page. Now, I’ve read a lot of picture books. I’m a mom as well as a book blogger after all. Wordy picture books don’t scare me or usually turn me off. That is…IF the words really seem to steer the story along. There were some pages of this book that I felt like I was plugging along to get to the next part. Then, the next spread would speed me up just to turn the page and find myself plugging along in the story again. It was a bit inconsistent. While I know there are children who will appreciate and like this book, especially the illlustrations, there were a few things that I struggled with. It is due to release on March 6, 2012. I give this book 3 out of 5 books.
February 16, 2015
This book by Kristi Yamaguchi tells the story of a successful ice skating pig as she travels to compete in the world games. She is very nervous, and unsure about how she will be able to interact with the athletes from all over the world. But, she very easily is able to make many new friends, they bond over similarities in their lives and each interaction is ended with a smile, because everyone smiles in the same language.
This story is very lacking in excitement. The story is very bland as it is very much just a story of what happened to the author, Kirsti Yamaguchi, when she was in the olympics only replacing the people in her life with animals. The interactions with each new animal ave very surface level and are all very repetitive. The story is not one that draws the reader in in any way, it is very predictable and unusually boring for a children's book.
The mood of this story is very monotonous, cheery and optimistic throughout. The book lacks a conflict, it simply follows along as Poppy the pig lives her dream, being a successful ice skater. There is a large plot hole as she goes from hoping to be a successful ice skater and then suddenly is. This story, of pursuing her dreams would have probably been a much more interesting and exciting book, with a moral about never giving up. This story lacks a solid moral or take away because of its lack of conflict.
This story is very lacking in excitement. The story is very bland as it is very much just a story of what happened to the author, Kirsti Yamaguchi, when she was in the olympics only replacing the people in her life with animals. The interactions with each new animal ave very surface level and are all very repetitive. The story is not one that draws the reader in in any way, it is very predictable and unusually boring for a children's book.
The mood of this story is very monotonous, cheery and optimistic throughout. The book lacks a conflict, it simply follows along as Poppy the pig lives her dream, being a successful ice skater. There is a large plot hole as she goes from hoping to be a successful ice skater and then suddenly is. This story, of pursuing her dreams would have probably been a much more interesting and exciting book, with a moral about never giving up. This story lacks a solid moral or take away because of its lack of conflict.
September 22, 2012
Review via Cracking the Cover
Poppy the ice skating pig is back, and she’s just as charming as she was a year ago.
The creation of Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, Poppy is a persistent pig who, through a lot of hard work, became a star on the ice. In this follow-up, Poppy receives an invitation to reach for the stars and compete in the World Games.
The Games are being held in Paris, a long way from Poppy’s home. But Poppy knows her friends and family will be with her every step of the way. The World Athlete Village is full of athletes from all over the world, many of them just as nervous as Poppy. Turns out everyone smiles in the same language!
As with “Dream Big, Little Pig!” “It’s a Big World, Little Pig!” is an upbeat book about positive pig power. Instead of the competition of the World Games, Kristi focuses on friendship and facing fears. There’s nothing about winning or losing, just performing to the best of your ability, which is a fine lesson for young children.
Most of all, “It’s a Big World, Little Pig!” is a fun read. The illustrations are bright and bold, and all of the characters have great personality.
Poppy the ice skating pig is back, and she’s just as charming as she was a year ago.
The creation of Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, Poppy is a persistent pig who, through a lot of hard work, became a star on the ice. In this follow-up, Poppy receives an invitation to reach for the stars and compete in the World Games.
The Games are being held in Paris, a long way from Poppy’s home. But Poppy knows her friends and family will be with her every step of the way. The World Athlete Village is full of athletes from all over the world, many of them just as nervous as Poppy. Turns out everyone smiles in the same language!
As with “Dream Big, Little Pig!” “It’s a Big World, Little Pig!” is an upbeat book about positive pig power. Instead of the competition of the World Games, Kristi focuses on friendship and facing fears. There’s nothing about winning or losing, just performing to the best of your ability, which is a fine lesson for young children.
Most of all, “It’s a Big World, Little Pig!” is a fun read. The illustrations are bright and bold, and all of the characters have great personality.
January 26, 2012
I loved Kristi Yamaguchi as an Olympian and had previously read the first Pig book with my niece. So I was curious to see what was in store for Poppy the pig.
I think that children's stories should be interesting for both the kid and the adult reading it. I thought It's a Big World, Little Pig had a good message. It was interesting to me to see all these animal athletes at the World Games in Paris.
It's definitely interesting for the adult reading knowing that Kristi was an Olympic athlete. So it's cute to see Poppy as a pig skater (knowing Kristi was a skater).
It was a cute story and enjoyable. It was nice to get to see her get to visit Paris after the competition. Although throughout the book it seemed like she was alone. And then all of a sudden her parents showed up to visit Paris with her. But overall cute book.
Here are my 6 year old niece's thoughts:
It was good. I liked the book. I liked how she didn't get nervous and made friends. I liked that she got to see her parents. And they got to go all over Paris - and see the Eiffel Tower (that was very cool). 5/5 stars.
I received this ebook from netgalley from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. Thanks.
February 12, 2012
Great for Inspiration
Poppy, the little pig is a talented skater that makes it to the World Games after much hard work. The games are far away, and Poppy is scared, but her friends and family are encourage her and give her great advice. When she arrives at the games in France, she learns that it is fun to make friends and competitors from all over the world want to make friends, too. She has a wonderful time meeting people and sharing with them.
Kristi Yamaguchi relies on her experiences as an international competitor to relate the fear and excitement of venturing out into the unknown. The words are very encouraging and motivating for the young people as they attempt new experiences. The illustrations put the story over the top, including the precious pictures of Poppy in her competition outfits and a parade of other animal competitors all set in France. Very cute story and one parents can share with children to encourage them in new experiences. Librarians could use this read aloud to stimulate discussions of fear of new experiences such as the fist day of school, etc.
Received Galley from NetGalley.com
Poppy, the little pig is a talented skater that makes it to the World Games after much hard work. The games are far away, and Poppy is scared, but her friends and family are encourage her and give her great advice. When she arrives at the games in France, she learns that it is fun to make friends and competitors from all over the world want to make friends, too. She has a wonderful time meeting people and sharing with them.
Kristi Yamaguchi relies on her experiences as an international competitor to relate the fear and excitement of venturing out into the unknown. The words are very encouraging and motivating for the young people as they attempt new experiences. The illustrations put the story over the top, including the precious pictures of Poppy in her competition outfits and a parade of other animal competitors all set in France. Very cute story and one parents can share with children to encourage them in new experiences. Librarians could use this read aloud to stimulate discussions of fear of new experiences such as the fist day of school, etc.
Received Galley from NetGalley.com
July 11, 2012
[This review also appears on Andi's Kids Books.]
Poppy is a pig who has dreams of being a star on the ice. All of her friends and family encourage her to do so and she gets invited to the World Games. Poppy is nervous to go all the way around the world. When in the Athlete's Village, she is worried that she isn't going to be able to make any new friends nor understand all of the different languages. She quickly befriends a Chinese skater named Li. She meets all kinds of different animals from around the world, sharing their customs and exchanging phrases in their native languages. It's all about being supportive of children's dreams and making friends around the world. The message is, “We all smile in the same language!”
You can feel Kristi's passion for her sport and love for people all around the world in her book. This is one that would go well with my multicultural collection.
The adorable illustrations remind me of Richard Scarry at times. They are simple and sweet. I really liked it.
I received an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Poppy is a pig who has dreams of being a star on the ice. All of her friends and family encourage her to do so and she gets invited to the World Games. Poppy is nervous to go all the way around the world. When in the Athlete's Village, she is worried that she isn't going to be able to make any new friends nor understand all of the different languages. She quickly befriends a Chinese skater named Li. She meets all kinds of different animals from around the world, sharing their customs and exchanging phrases in their native languages. It's all about being supportive of children's dreams and making friends around the world. The message is, “We all smile in the same language!”
You can feel Kristi's passion for her sport and love for people all around the world in her book. This is one that would go well with my multicultural collection.
The adorable illustrations remind me of Richard Scarry at times. They are simple and sweet. I really liked it.
I received an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 11, 2012
The best part of this book are the illustrations, but they don't save the story from being saccharine.
"You Go, Girl!" Ugh. Gag! Too trite for me.
I really dislike that the book shows figure skating as all about her frilly costume, but NONE of the hard work, strength, or endurance that it took for the pig to get invited to the world games. Lame! The athletic stuff wasn't girly enough? "She dreamed of being an ice-skating star and then she made it happen!" Oh. That was all it took, huh? The process deserves one entire sentence in the whole book. This is why parents spend thousands of dollars each year on equipment that is never used by their children. Children aren't shown how much Practice goes into becoming good, let alone Awesome, at sports and hobbies. I think Kristi Yamaguchi should have known better. Her sport is HARD and that's what makes her level of skill so impressive to children and adults. It's not the sparkly costume.
"You Go, Girl!" Ugh. Gag! Too trite for me.
I really dislike that the book shows figure skating as all about her frilly costume, but NONE of the hard work, strength, or endurance that it took for the pig to get invited to the world games. Lame! The athletic stuff wasn't girly enough? "She dreamed of being an ice-skating star and then she made it happen!" Oh. That was all it took, huh? The process deserves one entire sentence in the whole book. This is why parents spend thousands of dollars each year on equipment that is never used by their children. Children aren't shown how much Practice goes into becoming good, let alone Awesome, at sports and hobbies. I think Kristi Yamaguchi should have known better. Her sport is HARD and that's what makes her level of skill so impressive to children and adults. It's not the sparkly costume.
December 17, 2011
Last year I fell in love with Dream Big, Little Pig! such a beautiful book with a great message. Now I can enjoy it all over again and add more to the encouragement for my girls. While before I was all excited about the pink and purple, this time I'm just as happy about the teal and purple. I cannot speak to the sparkily as I have not seen the book in person yet (just an electronic copy on loan), but the story is worth it. The encouragement within these pages is great and I'm delighted that Kristi is writing such stories to share.
*Thanks to Sourcebooks for loaning an eBook through NetGalley for review.*
posted: http://wp.me/pYHD5-3pt
*Thanks to Sourcebooks for loaning an eBook through NetGalley for review.*
posted: http://wp.me/pYHD5-3pt
January 24, 2012
Loved the illustrations in this book and it has a great message.
This is the story of a little pig going off to a skating championship in Paris. She's nervous and unsure but along the way overcomes her fears, makes some friends and helps others out.
I've not read the first book Dream Big Little Pig and will check to see if my library has it.
Just one thing - It seemed like Poppy was all alone on this trip and had to figure things out by herself. When her parents were there to congratulate her after her performance my daughter said "I thought she was by herself". I'd got the same impression while reading the book, but perhaps parents aren't allowed in the Athlete's Village so she wouldn't have had them with her?
Source: Netgalley
This is the story of a little pig going off to a skating championship in Paris. She's nervous and unsure but along the way overcomes her fears, makes some friends and helps others out.
I've not read the first book Dream Big Little Pig and will check to see if my library has it.
Just one thing - It seemed like Poppy was all alone on this trip and had to figure things out by herself. When her parents were there to congratulate her after her performance my daughter said "I thought she was by herself". I'd got the same impression while reading the book, but perhaps parents aren't allowed in the Athlete's Village so she wouldn't have had them with her?
Source: Netgalley
January 13, 2012
Poppy the litte pig who dreams big is finally an ice skating star. Now she follows her dream to Paris, France to compete in the World Games. While in Paris, Poppy must overcome her fears of being so far from home in a new place. But she soon learns that although we may not speak the same, we all smile in the same language.
This is a sequel to the book "Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi. It is very nice with cute illustrations. Who doesn't love a pig in a bow? It was a little light and fluffy for my personal taste, but the message of being accepting of new people and places is a good one.
This is a sequel to the book "Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi. It is very nice with cute illustrations. Who doesn't love a pig in a bow? It was a little light and fluffy for my personal taste, but the message of being accepting of new people and places is a good one.
March 21, 2012
Awww I just jumped at the chance to read this one not only because of the beautiful illustrations but because I am a sucker for Little Piggies! I know! I know! I am strange but I been collecting figurines and items with little piggies for ages.
With my confession made this story was really adorable with Little Pig venturing off to a new country to compete in the ice skating competitions. She was very excited and scared all at once but she had big dreams and didn't let her fear hold her back.
The underlying meaning I got from the story was to follow your dreams and don't let fear hold you back!
With my confession made this story was really adorable with Little Pig venturing off to a new country to compete in the ice skating competitions. She was very excited and scared all at once but she had big dreams and didn't let her fear hold her back.
The underlying meaning I got from the story was to follow your dreams and don't let fear hold you back!
September 14, 2012
-A little pig travels to a competition and is nervous about not knowing anyone or anything there; but she comes and makes new friends of many nations
-ELLs can share their experience of how they felt moving to someplace new (text to self)
-the book shares a few words in each language of the friends the pig meets
- its great to know a few words in popular langauges around the school (such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese...) that way students feel like the teacher cares enough for them by smiling and saying "hi" in their native language
-ELLs can share their experience of how they felt moving to someplace new (text to self)
-the book shares a few words in each language of the friends the pig meets
- its great to know a few words in popular langauges around the school (such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese...) that way students feel like the teacher cares enough for them by smiling and saying "hi" in their native language
January 23, 2014
When you dream big just remember it could come true. Although it could be scary, you must follow your heart. Poppy the pig loved to ice skate. She was so good that she was invited to skate at the World Games in Paris.
“Paris was far away from Poppy's home in New Pork city. Poppy was excited to see new places, but she was scared about being so far from home.”
Once Poppy arrived she began to make new friends from all around the world. She remembered the advice of her best friend Emma. She told her, “everyone smiles in the same language!”
“Paris was far away from Poppy's home in New Pork city. Poppy was excited to see new places, but she was scared about being so far from home.”
Once Poppy arrived she began to make new friends from all around the world. She remembered the advice of her best friend Emma. She told her, “everyone smiles in the same language!”
February 23, 2014
A sequel to "Dream Pig, Little Pig!" this book was a lot more fun for me. While the first one dealt with Poppy's insecurities and discovering her talent, this one deals with her journey to a World championship in Paris. She worries about making friends, but "everyone smiles in the same language" and soon learns to skate from the heart and remember the love & support from her family and the new friendships she makes. I love the illustrations of different animals, but also the way they greet one another in other languages. A really sweet story.
January 10, 2012
Poppy's invited to go to a whole new country to skate. This has her both excited and nervous. Who will she meet when she gets to France? Focus on openness to new relationships introducing self and receiving introductions. New experiences. Illustrations are really the focus of this book in my opinion. The Olympic connections may be a little too heavy for older readers. I'd like to see what younger readers and teachers of younger readers think about this book as it releases.
June 30, 2012
Former skating star Yamaguchi has written a story about an ice-skating little pig named Poppy, who is invited to compete in a world competition in Paris. Poppy is worried about going so far from home and whether she'll make any friends, but she quickly finds that the people she meets are quite friendly and she has a lot in common with them.
This book is adorable! The story is sweet and the illustrations are completely cute. A great book to share with children.
This book is adorable! The story is sweet and the illustrations are completely cute. A great book to share with children.
November 4, 2012
Poppy is ecstatic when she receives an invitation to go to Paris and skate in competition. Poppy is scared to leave her friends and travel to an unknown place. But, soon she learns that the smile is universal in every language. She soon makes many friends and has a wonderful time learning about their lives and cultures. She learns how great things are when you dream big and smile.
A sweet book written by Olympic medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. A fun book for girls aged 6 to 10.
A sweet book written by Olympic medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. A fun book for girls aged 6 to 10.
January 25, 2012
This is a sweet book about a figure skating pig. The thought of her family and friends helps her through her fears.
While she is nervous about going to another country and meeting many people, she learns that a smile can communicate even when you speak another language.
Simplistic storyline, but young readers that love figure skating will likely be pleased.
While she is nervous about going to another country and meeting many people, she learns that a smile can communicate even when you speak another language.
Simplistic storyline, but young readers that love figure skating will likely be pleased.
October 29, 2013
Poppy always had the dream to be a figure skating star and she finally has the opportunity in Paris. However, seeing new places and meeting new people can be scary. This book first caught my eye with its glitter and its author Olympic figure skating champion, Kristi Yamaguchi. Her book tells us to smile and dream big!
February 7, 2014
The message of the book is "everyone smiles in the same language." Which might sound childish, but as its pretty clear from the state of our world that more grown-ups need to hear this message. Simple, charming book with bright, fun illustrations. A book to encourage the dreams of children, and maybe remind adults of dreams and friendship too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews