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Babe: The Gallant Pig
by
Knopf is proud to present a handsome 20th-anniversary edition of Dick King-Smith’s bestselling novel that became an Academy Award–nominated movie. When Babe arrives at Hogget Farm, Mrs. Hogget’s thoughts turn to sizzling bacon and juicy pork chops—until he reveals a surprising talent for sheepherding, that is. Before long, Babe is handling Farmer Hogget’s flock better than
...more
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Hardcover, 130 pages
Published
March 8th 2005
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
(first published January 1st 1983)
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Kristen
Yes. I just read this book because my 10 year old daughter read it and then recommended it to me.
Community Reviews
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Start your review of Babe: The Gallant Pig
Read as part of the ‘Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge’.
The charming tale that captured originally captured my imagination as a child due to the movie adaptation, it’s the heart warming story of a young pig on a sheep farm.
Being brought up by Fly a sheepdog, young babe aspires to follow in the dogs footsteps by becoming a sheep-pig.
I liked how the movie stayed really faithful to the book, it really is a timeless classic.
The charming tale that captured originally captured my imagination as a child due to the movie adaptation, it’s the heart warming story of a young pig on a sheep farm.
Being brought up by Fly a sheepdog, young babe aspires to follow in the dogs footsteps by becoming a sheep-pig.
I liked how the movie stayed really faithful to the book, it really is a timeless classic.
Babe was such a huge phenomenon when I was in elementary school that I knew the story without ever having seen the movie (although I'd seen the sequel, Babe: Pig In the City multiple times). I was unaware until recently that there was a book basis for the popular movie series, a standalone that's much simpler than the screen adaptations it set off. This is often the case, it seems, for poor Dick King-Smith, whose book The Water Horse is still better-known by its 2000's movie adaptation, and whos
...more
When I was in primary school Babe was the biggest blockbuster film and was extremely popular! I remember our teacher telling us that the film was based on a book and when I read the book that I enjoyed it even more! I was delighted therefore to have the opportunity to revisit one of my favourite childhood stories. The story begins with Mr. Hogget winning a pig at the fair by correctly guessing the pig’s weight. Originally Babe was going to be fattened up by Mrs. Hogget but miraculously Babe esca
...more
Such a fun story. I think I like the movie better actually and this book has a lot of charm. It's clever and funny and show how far politeness can get you in life. I think this is often overlooked and I think the world can use more kindness and politeness. I think Babe also shows that life doesn't always have to be what you expect. The unexpected can be as much fun, even more so. A bit of kindness can land us in the prize winning sheep-dog circle. I'm glad I took the time to read this.
...more
Re-read as audiobook. Never gets old.
One of the rare instances where the movie is better than the book. I listened to it with my two daughters on a day trip in the car, otherwise I would have never finished it.
If you do decide to read it to your kids, get ready for lines like, "the Collie bitch was pleased to see Babe growing up so strong. And "the bitch told the pig that the farmer was pleased with his progress."
After the 2nd reference to this term, and after laughing out loud at the surprise of it, I had to tell my 10-year old ...more
If you do decide to read it to your kids, get ready for lines like, "the Collie bitch was pleased to see Babe growing up so strong. And "the bitch told the pig that the farmer was pleased with his progress."
After the 2nd reference to this term, and after laughing out loud at the surprise of it, I had to tell my 10-year old ...more
Lovely. Glad to see that the movie didn't deviate too much from the book.
...more
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An incredibly sweet story that I enjoyed revisiting in book form. I watched the film adaptation, Babe, in the 90s and got the sudden urge last week to rewatch the film. First things first though, I wanted to know if it was based on a book. A very brief google search later and I had the answer.
The Sheep-Pig, or Babe, provided a much needed breather, interlude - what have you - to the past few days. Pick it up and have a go if you want a story of a piglet, Babe, that takes it upon himself to be a ...more
The Sheep-Pig, or Babe, provided a much needed breather, interlude - what have you - to the past few days. Pick it up and have a go if you want a story of a piglet, Babe, that takes it upon himself to be a ...more
I don't think I've ever read this book before, but I did today for class. At the beginning I thought I wasn't going to like it all that much--after all, there already is a great book featuring a pig as the main character, and that's Charlotte's Web--but awww, as I kept on reading I liked Babe more and more (and also the minor characters, Mr. Hogget and Fly especially) until by the end I was wishing I had a Babe of my own to cuddle with as he sheep-pigs his way to victory!
...more
What a fabulous read aloud book! I enjoyed it as much as my son. My 5 year old would give it 100 stars. I did omit the word "bitch" referring to the collie as it wasn't necessary and didn't want to get into a discussion of when it is not appropriate to use the word or how people could misinterpret it coming from a 5 year old.
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Apr 14, 2019
Indya
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
rory-gilmore-challenge,
read-in-2019
What an incredibly sweet, heartwarming story. I love the message that one only need to be kind and genuine to attain their desires, and that everyone should be treated with respect, regardless of how intelligent one might *think* they are.
However, after re-reading the last page again to double-check, the most famous quote from this book is misattributed. Farmer Hogget says "that'll do" twice, but he never says "Pig" at the end, as it is often quoted.
Perhaps that is said in the movie, but it is ...more
However, after re-reading the last page again to double-check, the most famous quote from this book is misattributed. Farmer Hogget says "that'll do" twice, but he never says "Pig" at the end, as it is often quoted.
Perhaps that is said in the movie, but it is ...more
2021 52 Book Challenge - 34) A book you'd rate 5 stars
Honestly, I cannot describe how much I love this book. I never knew that there was a book version that the film was based on, but I was so delighted to discover and read this and I was so happy when the film was so close to the book. Its just really great. ...more
Honestly, I cannot describe how much I love this book. I never knew that there was a book version that the film was based on, but I was so delighted to discover and read this and I was so happy when the film was so close to the book. Its just really great. ...more
Of course I loved this book, it is what one of my all time favorite movies is based from. Delightful quick read. And fun to see the story as it was originally told. I am glad I have seen the movie because then I had better voices for all the characters as I read.
“That'll do, Pig. That'll do. -Farmer Hogget”
― Dick King-Smith, Babe: The Gallant Pig ...more
― Dick King-Smith, Babe: The Gallant Pig ...more
So cute! Loved it as much as the movie.
This is one of those Dick King-Smith books that show very well his strong potential as a writer, nearly perfect as a blend of sensitivity and fun in coming up with a starkly imaginative, thrillingly unique tale that is really not like anything that the reader will have previously seen.
Babe encapsulates the most saliently positive qualities of kids themselves, which will do nicely in commending this story to young readers. He doesn't accept that sheep are "stupid" and unworthy of addressing as ...more
Babe encapsulates the most saliently positive qualities of kids themselves, which will do nicely in commending this story to young readers. He doesn't accept that sheep are "stupid" and unworthy of addressing as ...more
"Babe: The Gallant Pig" by Dick King-Smith is a wonderful read-aloud or individual read for middle elementary students. It is considered a classic, and it is a quick, easy read. I especially loved the depiction of simple, "down home" farmers. The greatest lesson I gained from reading this is that anyone can achieve anything they desire if they put their minds to it. That lesson can be used to encourage students in a classroom to follow their dreams. Another lesson that students can learn is to p
...more
Some people know I have this weird obsession for movies with talking animals. This obsession extends to books as well. I love stories about animals, and stories that are told from an animal's point of view.
Babe is one of my all-time favorite talking animal movies. It wasn't until I started working at the library did I realize that it was based on a book. (How did I not ever know this?) So I added it to my mental wish list of random, older juvenile books that I wanted to read sooner rather than ...more
Babe is one of my all-time favorite talking animal movies. It wasn't until I started working at the library did I realize that it was based on a book. (How did I not ever know this?) So I added it to my mental wish list of random, older juvenile books that I wanted to read sooner rather than ...more
Read in April 2018
I am turning semi-obsessed with Dick King-Smith. The book was fun and quick, but the last two pages of the book were perfection. He hit all of the right emotional points. I wanted to reread the last two pages again, so beautiful they were. Then my kids wanted me to read them a third and fourth time too. "That'll do, King-Smith" I say, "That'll do."
Mom Read Aloud to Davey & Gordon (and sometimes Eve).
Davey: "Good Ending."
Gordon: "Yeah."
Davey: "He should have written a Babe 2. W ...more
I am turning semi-obsessed with Dick King-Smith. The book was fun and quick, but the last two pages of the book were perfection. He hit all of the right emotional points. I wanted to reread the last two pages again, so beautiful they were. Then my kids wanted me to read them a third and fourth time too. "That'll do, King-Smith" I say, "That'll do."
Mom Read Aloud to Davey & Gordon (and sometimes Eve).
Davey: "Good Ending."
Gordon: "Yeah."
Davey: "He should have written a Babe 2. W ...more
Can't believe I'm saying this but I like the movie better!
...more
This short novel was a great read-aloud choice for my older two girls. The 5-year-old loves all talking animal stories and her 3-year-old sister likes pigs, so they loved following the adventures of the orphaned piglet who is taken in by a farmer, fostered by a sheepdog and taught to herd sheep himself. I have never seen the movie this book is based on, so the story was new to me as well. I was impressed by Dick King-Smith's ability to tell such a complete story in such a short book. The ending
...more
I've grown up watching the movie Babe and recently wanted to read the book it was based off.
It's very close to the movie, so it's a pretty good adaption. I loved reading this story. I've always liked the movie and now I like the book too.
I've enjoyed all of Dick King-Smith's books that I've read so far.
- - -
Babe the Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith is about a pig called Babe. Won at the fair by Farmer Hogget, Babe takes a liking to sheep herding. But who has ever heard of a sheep-pig? ...more
It's very close to the movie, so it's a pretty good adaption. I loved reading this story. I've always liked the movie and now I like the book too.
I've enjoyed all of Dick King-Smith's books that I've read so far.
- - -
Babe the Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith is about a pig called Babe. Won at the fair by Farmer Hogget, Babe takes a liking to sheep herding. But who has ever heard of a sheep-pig? ...more
Just re-read this - who can NOT love a pig that can "herd" sheep, and talk to them in such a respectful manner?
Saw the movie ages ago, and yet Babe's voice still comes loud and clear in the reading of the book! ...more
Saw the movie ages ago, and yet Babe's voice still comes loud and clear in the reading of the book! ...more
Haven't read this since I was at primary school and really enjoyed reading it to my daughter. I had forgotten how much humour there was; love the contrast between the monosyllabic farmer and his wife with verbal-diarrhea.
...more
Mar 30, 2018
Teresa (tqlikesbooks)
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrens-lit
My class had no interest in this book and neither did I to be honest.
Darling.
Also, for what its worth, I believe the film version is one of the best book-t0-screen adaptations ever achieved.
Also, for what its worth, I believe the film version is one of the best book-t0-screen adaptations ever achieved.
Lovely read aloud with my 12 year old. We both found it sweet and funny in all the right ways.
Lucy loved this one!
this is such a cute heartfelt children’s novel !
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Dick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get ...more
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get ...more
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“That'll do, Pig. That'll do. -Farmer Hogget”
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