Pig on the Titanic: A True Story

by Gary Crew, Bruce Whatley (Illustrator)

A pig on a passenger liner?
Impossible!
No! No! It's me ...
Maxixe, the music box pig! Everyone knows the story of the night the great ship Titanic sank. But few know the story of Maxixe, one of the unsung heroes of that night, and how this small musical pig soothed the fears of a lifeboat full of children. Based on true events, this dramatic story by author Gary Crew is told through the charming and compassionate voice of Maxixe, and is brought to life by the stunning artwork of illustrator Bruce Whatley.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Dr Gary Crew, author of novels, short stories and picture books for older children and young adults, began his writing career in 1985, when he was a high school teacher. His books are challenging and intriguing, often based on non-fiction. As well as writing fiction, Gary is a Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Children's and Adult Literature, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and editor of the After Dark series.

He lives with his wife Christine on several acres in the cool, high mountains of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia in a house called 'Green Mansions' which is shaded by over 200 Australian rainforest palms he has cultivated. He enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with his dogs Ferris, Beulah, and Miss Wendy. In his spare time he has created an Australian Rainforest Garden around his home, filled with Australian palms. Gary loves to visit antique shops looking for curios and beautiful objects.

Gary Crew has been awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the year four times: twice for Book of the Year for Young Adult Older Readers (Strange Objects in 1991 and Angel’s Gate in 1993) and twice for Picture Book of the Year with First Light in 1993 (illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe) and The Watertower (illustrated by Steven Woolman) in 1994. Gary’s illustrated book, Memorial (with Shaun Tan) was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book in 2000 and short listed for the Queensland Premier’s Awards. He has also won the Wilderness Society Award, the Whitley Award and the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction.

In the USA he has been twice short listed for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Fiction Award for Youth and the Hungry Minds Review American Children’s Book of distinction. In Europe he has twice been and twice the prestigious White Raven Award for his illustrated books. Among his many Australian awards is the Ned Kelly Prize for Crime Fiction, the New South Wales Premier’s Award and the Victorian Premier’s Award. He has been short listed for both the Queensland Premier’s and the Western Australian Premier’s awards for Fiction.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pig on the Titanic" was a very sweet and uplifting story of how sometimes it is the small things in life that have the power to make all the difference in the world. Based on a true story, it is a picture book that tells the tale of a pig-shaped musical pig as it travel with his mistress on board the Titanic's maiden voyage. The reader gets to explore the ship with Maxixe as he explores it with Edith Rosenbaum, for she takes him everywhere, from the swimming pool to the Captain's Table and eventually onto one of Titanic's lifeboats. It is while in one of the lifeboats that Maxixe that performs a most heroic service, he plays his little song to entertain the children in the his boat, thereby distracting them from the cold and the tragedy going on around them.

"Pig on the Titanic" was a wonderful story, which even now while typing this review, makes me tear-up a bit. A funny and touching story about the Titanic disaster, who would have thought it would have been possible?

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A not-too-frightening story of a little, musical wind-up pig that calms some children's fears on the night The Titanic sank in 1912. Renowned fashion buyer, Edith Rosenbaum, brought Maxine the wind-up pig on board the ill-fated ship as a good luck charm. She needed it! And, once on the lifeboat, calmed the fears of many of the children aboard. A simply-told, beautifully illustrated picture book, that will serve as a child's introduction into one of the most famous shipwreck disasters of all time.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of those odd stories to emerge from the Titanic, that of a toy pig that served to calm the children in one of the escaping life boats. It's also the story of the pig's owner, Edith Rosenbaum, a fashion buyer that was transporting a collection of French dresses to New York. While she was one of the lucky ones that escaped, she nearly declined her seat until a crewman threw her beloved pig into a life boat. This is an anecdotal story in the overall plot of the Titanic, but it's well told and children would be sure to identify with it. Good read.

[Jason Beyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this is an interesting story I couldn't help but think of all the 2nd and 3rd class passengers who were left on board while the first class folks rowed to safety. In that light I didn't find this musical pig to be that entertaining.

[Smurf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything and everything that has to do with Titanic, so I was delighted to find this book. I admit that although I was excited to read it, I did question it's accuracy because, well... a pig on the Titanic? I understood better once I got into the story. The pictures were wonderful, and the story gives a sense of hope even though the story of the Titanic is utterly tragic. It's a fascinating story and a wonderful book.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the title of this is kind of click bait. It wasn't a real pig. Someone had a good luck pig that made music. It is a true story...and it's a cute story, especially for Titanic aficionados!

[Kenson and kirra · Rating 3 out of 5]

somewhat etertaining, but not spectacular. had a few funny moments

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know about the Titanic until I read this story.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat little true story.

[Connie Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for younger audience.
I am an avid Titanic enthusiast and I wasn't aware there was a pig on titanic.

[Gabby Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is wonderful book to introduce a child to Titanic. It's not so much focused on the tragedy of it all and personifies the pig. It's an adorable tale based on real titanic facts.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true story about a musical pig "box" that was abroad the titanic, that belonged to Edith. The music helped calm the kids in her boat as they waited for rescue. Though this story wasn't a sad one about the titanic, it is one that I think kids who enjoy, without feeling absolutely heartbroken. It makes me wonder who kids react to hearing about the titanic. And also, this makes me want to find more picture books about the titanic. Because I think it is a beautiful story in a way.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first picked up the book ‘Pig on the Titanic’ I thought it was going to be about an actual real life pig. I soon found out that this pig was actually a wind up music box that sung when you twisted its tail. The story follows a young designer, a Miss Edith Rosenbaum, as she travels on the infamous new passenger liner that happens to be the biggest in the world; the Titanic. Edith and her fellow passengers are in for a trip that will live forever in infamy. Along the way, Maxixe the pig comforts those around her as the tragedy of the Titanic unfolds.
This is a picture book based on the true story of Miss Edith Rosenbaum and Maxixe the musical pig. The story is told through Maxixe’s point of view which is a little odd though very original. I like the telling of how the Titanic sunk because it is very factual and gives kids a basic understanding of the tragedy that happened that day. The colors used to illustrate the book reflect the mood of a somber occasion that leaves everyone silent and thoughtful. Maxixe the pig is a glowing beacon of white in every picture and reflects the happiness she brings with her wherever she goes. There is no mention of the deaths suffered aboard the ship which I think is probably for the best when reading to such a young audience. I think young readers can get a good understanding of an event that will forever be remembered in history and it gives it in an easy to swallow bite. The text in the book never interferes with the pictures and it works well with the illustrations to paint a clear picture of what the story is trying to tell. Lastly, I appreciate the author telling this story with the focus being on the children because children today can relate to how they might feel if they had to get in a small boat and be taken away from their parents. There is tons to talk about in this book and it opens the door for deep discussions on a variety of topics such as death and sadness.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an poignant tale about a young woman who brought a music box pig with her to the lifeboats, helping to calm the scared women and children as the Titanic sunk. We appreciated that it was a true story and we liked the humanity of the small moment during the tragedy. The illustrations are colorful and nicely detailed, complementing the narrative nicely. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love anything and everything that has to do with Titanic, so I was delighted to find this book. I admit that although I was excited to read it, I did question it's accuracy because, well... a pig on the Titanic? I understood better once I got into the story. The pictures were wonderful, and the story gives a sense of hope even though the story of the Titanic is utterly tragic. It's a fascinating story and a wonderful book.

[Ashlynn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the best stories are told through personification. This is a great way to tell a story in another way and children can easily relate to it. Children have objects of theirs that they take everywhere. A good learning activity for this book could be for the children to write a story through the eyes of their favorite object.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very good for its intended audience. Children wanting more in-depth should look into other books, but for early elementary school students, this is a great way to introduce the history of the Titanic. The story is well-told and unusual, and the illustrations are stunningly beautiful.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boys are fascinated with the Titanic so they enjoyed this book and wanted to learn more. The illustrations had a few odd expressions and/or looked forced at times. But overall it was a fun book. We'll use it again when we study the Titanic.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edith's mom gave her a good luck charm, Maxixe, a musical pig to take on the Titanic. They hit an iceberg and all had to abandon the ship. They went on a lifeboat and Edith's musical pig calmed the children until they were rescued. J.R.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is kind of weird. I was very excited to read it, because it is so fascinating to learn more about the titanic. I just find it difficult to love a book that is centered on a pig music toy. It's not a BAD book, but really not one of my favorites.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true tale of courage and compassion amidst the surrounding chaos on the night of the Titanic's tragic ending. This was a nice read with lovely illustrations offering a different perspective of events than I have ever read before.

[Doug Bivens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute, simple read about one of the most famous disasters of all time: The Titanic. I remember reading about the famous musical pig when I read about/studied the Titanic story. Short book for kids but very cute/nice even though its about a disaster.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun true book about the Titanic. Great for older students who already know what's going on.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story about the Titanic from a different perspective. It tells the story about the story of Maxixe, a small musical pig on the Titanic. Based on true events.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of one women's adventure aboard the titanic.

[Joelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting story.

[Wendi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations. Guess I wanted a little more meat to the story. Rather tame, but it is a children's book.

[Mary Meldrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of the wreck of the Titanic is a tale of how one person shared her music box. It comforted her and the passengers she was with.

[Brianna Crall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Students enjoyed it, I found it a bit dull and not informative. Would be a good introduction to Titanic disaster for really young kids.

[Andrea Labonte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.