It's a Big World, Little Pig!

Publishers Weekly

Poppy the pig, the figure-skating star of 2011’s Dream Big, Little Pig!, is headed to Paris for the World Games and worried about being so far from home. Poppy’s family and friends offer encouragement before she leaves (“emember that everyone smiles in the same language”), and, sure enough, Poppy makes friends easily upon her arrival. The heroine’s parents materialize out of nowhere after Poppy’s skating routine, negating the sense of accomplishment and independence that had been building. Bowers’s cartoons are warm and buoyant, yet the alignment of certain animals (panda, crane, kangaroo) with certain countries (China, Japan, Australia) draws unfortunate attention to the fact that Poppy, the U.S. representative, is a pig. Ages 4–up. Illustrator’s agent: Rubin Pfeffer, East West Literary Agency. (Apr.)

From the Publisher

It seems like wherever Poppy goes though, she seems to inspire everyone!!

Sounds so cute! And the best part is that 100% of the proceeds from the book will benefit early childhood literacy programs supported by Kristi's "Always Dream" Foundation.

Very, very impressive.

This ranks as one of the best kids book I've read in a long time. There are just so many great messages in It's a Big World, Little Pig! I can definitely see Kristi channeling some of her own personal experiences into this book.

Her new book is — as expected — equally adorable to her first book...Classy Mommy Approved!

Another sweet confection...

A delightful tale of perseverance. I shared this with my two daughters, 4 and 7, and they thoroughly enjoyed the story.

I read this book to my daughters the other night and ever since they have been asking me to read it over and over again. I have to say as a parent I have no problem with this as the messages contained within are ones that I want my daughters to learn and to live on a daily basis. This was a great book that I highly recommend!

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).

My 7 year old daughter wanted to read it as soon as she saw this book. The illustrations are fun in the bright colors that she loves; they make the reader smile right along with Poppy.

It's a Big World Little Pig is simply a charming story that is beautifully illustrated by Tim Bowers. I loved the illustrations just as much as the story itself. I always found Kristi Yamaguchi's performances on ice to be amazing to watch, and I get that same warm feeling reading her novel. There's a strong message about overcoming fear that will benefit children too...It's definitely a book to add to your shelves.

School Library Journal

PreS-K—A sequel to the author's Dream Big, Little Pig (Sourcebooks, 2011), this book has Poppy following her dreams by skating at a world competition, even though it is pretty scary to travel so far from home. However, the irrepressible porker perseveres, goes to Paris, makes new friends in the World Athlete Village, and, eventually, skates her best. Accompanied by cheerful illustrations of Poppy happily skating and interacting with her friends from other countries, the book emphasizes the intangible rewards of taking on challenges and learning about the world rather than winning (there are no trophies in sight and readers are merely told that Poppy "skated from her heart"). Although not an essential purchase, the book has a timely topic, and its intrepid heroine makes it particularly attractive to youngsters.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Kirkus Reviews

An invitation to the "World Games" leads to international friendships for the porky little skating star introduced in Dream Big, Little Pig (2011). Though Paris is far away from New Pork City, little Poppy quickly loses her initial anxiety at being among strangers from many countries. As her BF Emma puts it: "everyone smiles in the same language!" In no time, she's hooked up with a snowboarder from China ("Ni hao") and found common ground with an Italian skier in the music of Poochini ("Buona fortuna!"). She discusses costume design with a fellow skater from Japan ("Ganbatte kudasai"), then gives a nervous Aussie speed skater a pep talk (parting with a "hooroo!"). Promoting the proper air of bright bonhomie, Bowers dresses a diverse cast of happy-looking, big-headed animals in sportswear or casual clothing and leaves the airy backgrounds either blank or lightly traced with arabesques and swooping curves. Finally, having "skated from her heart" in the competition, Poppy joins her proud parents for a week of French food (laying off the charcuterie, one hopes), sightseeing and sending postcards. It's another sweet confection, with nary a mention of winning or losing--for those who like their international encounters on the bland side. (Picture book. 6-8)