Mud Pie for Mother

Publishers Weekly

Any child who has faced a mother's birthday with the best of intentions and no resources should find a kindred spirit in Beck's (Pepito the Brave) Little Pig. The series of spreads harks back to 1930s-1940s era children's books, with their crisp, simple shapes and bold ochre, rusty red and spring-green palette. The bright-eyed porker hero locates several likely prospects for his mother's gift, only to be told someone else has already laid claim to them. On the verge of picking a pretty flower, he's stopped by a bee: "That flower is my favorite.... Please don't take it." A mud pie for mom gets squelched when the farmer's wife tells him, "That dirt is for my garden." Just when it looks like Little Pig has no options, he discovers that his willingness to respect the things that are important to others has paid off. The bee shows gratitude by giving him honey, the farmer's wife thanks him with bread, and the others follow suit. Ultimately, Little Pig assembles a delicious birthday slop for his mother: "Do you know, it was just what she wanted." Beck's second book may not exhibit the winning buoyancy of his debut work (unlike plucky Pepito, the genially plump Little Pig is a mild-mannered, reactive protagonist) but the bright pictures have an amiable, unaffected appeal, and the author conveys a worthwhile moral without overwhelming his story. Ages 2-6. (Mar.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

Little Pig sets off across the farm in search of the perfect gift for Mother Pig's birthday. He finds a flower, but the bee needs it to make honey. He finds hay, but the cow needs it for a bed. The shiny seeds he picks up are the hen's food, and the dirt for a mud pie is for the farmer's wife's garden. In each instance Little Pig recognizes the importance of the item to someone else and does not take it. But now his basket is empty. Then as he returns home, each of the animals gives him a gift in gratitude for his not taking what was important to them. In the end, he has bread, eggs, milk, and honey and is able to make Mother Pig a delicious birthday breakfast. It is a wonderful story about being respectful of others and the rewards that can manifest when we are caring and considerate. 2003, Dutton Children's Books/Penguin Putnam,
— Sarah Seage

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-Little Pig is looking for the perfect present for his mother. He tries a flower, but discovers that it is the bee's favorite. He sees shiny seeds on the ground, but finds that the hen was going to eat them. Everything he comes upon belongs to someone else. Just when it appears that he will return home empty-handed, the others, appreciative of the respect he has shown for their needs, reward him. Now, he has a variety of foods to give to his mom for her birthday breakfast. The cartoon illustrations, mostly spreads, are dominated by bright green grass and the perky pink pig. Each picture is outlined in blue crayon, giving the illusion of having been drawn by a child. Youngsters will enjoy this simple, upbeat story that quietly demonstrates the virtue of respecting another's property and needs.-Sheilah Kosco, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Little Pig goes in search of the perfect gift for his mother's birthday only to find that sometimes the best gifts come when you are not even looking. Slipping away while Mother Pig is asleep, Little Pig spies a bright flower, a perfect birthday gift. Unfortunately, a friendly bee also seems to enjoy the flower, so Little Pig leaves it for her. Spotting some fresh, yellow hay, Little Pig reasons that this would also make a lovely gift, but a cow has already claimed it for her bed. He is similarly challenged by a hen when he spies some crunchy seeds and by the farmer's wife when he tries to take some of her rich soil for a mud pie. His generosity is rewarded, however, just as he decides that maybe he will have to return empty-handed. Accepting gifts from each of the grateful farm inhabitants, Little Pig enters the pig pen and begins to prepare a breakfast of fresh bread, eggs, milk, and honey, which turns out to be the perfect birthday gift after all. A bright palette of colors gives the simple illustrations vibrancy. Young readers will delight in the Little Pig's quest and his generous spirit. Sometimes the best gift of all is right under one's nose-or snout. (Picture book. 2-4)