Overview
From the creators of Little Pea and Little Hoot comes this tidy tale of a decidedly different pig. Little Oink is a neat little fellow. Clean, clean, clean, that's all he wants to do. But Mama and Papa won't have it! They say in order to be a proper pig, he has to learn to make a proper mess. "Don't come out until your room is a pigsty," says Papa Pig. "I won't have any child of mine going out looking so neat and clean. It's just not acceptable," says Mama Pig. Readers who hate to clean up will love this humorous twist on a universal dilemma.Synopsis
From the creators of Little Pea and Little Hoot comes this tidy tale of a decidedly different pig. Little Oink is a neat little fellow. Clean, clean, clean, that's all he wants to do. But Mama and Papa won't have it! They say in order to be a proper pig, he has to learn to make a proper mess. "Don't come out until your room is a pigsty," says Papa Pig. "I won't have any child of mine going out looking so neat and clean. It's just not acceptable," says Mama Pig. Readers who hate to clean up will love this humorous twist on a universal dilemma.
Children's Literature
A neat little pig? That is unheard of in conventional literature, but it is true. Little Oink has the parents most children wish for: ones who do not care how messy they get and even encourage their children to create the filthiest mess they can make. Such disorder is foreign to Little Oink's demeanor and instead he relishes and thrives in tidying up. He even wears gloves while he digs in the dirt with his pig pals, and is the only little pig that uses a knife and fork and wears a bib—for lunch! Just one thing bothered Little Oink: mess up time. He could not go outside to play until his room was properly messed up and he changed into dirty clothes. He un-makes his bed, unfolds his clothes, yet his parents are not pleased until he empties his toy box and his room is a complete pig sty. Once his parents are satisfied that his room is a mess, Little Oink is allowed to go out and play play house, that is, in his neat as a pin tree house. Colorful images on a stark white background allow the story to be presented in an uncomplicated, neat and simple manner, retaining the emphasis on the contrast of what is considered "normal" pig behavior and the reality of Little Oink. Readers will hopefully attempt to emulate the star of the story, while also encouraging discussion on neatness and potential stereotypes. An enjoyable slant on pigs from the creators of "Little Pea" and "Little Hoot." Reviewer: Elizabeth Young