Synopsis
Princess? Pig? Both? A crown may not be the perfect accessory for an adorable pig.
One day a sash from a local beauty pageant blows across the farm and lands right on Pig, who takes it as a sign. “I must be a princess,” she squeals. Pony disagrees, but all the other animals in the barnyard are happy to recognize her new title. Pig is delighted to learn that princesses are treated to pretty princess pies, decadent bubble baths, fluffy pillows, and soothing bedtime lullabies.
But there is a cost to the grandeur. There are many things that princesses aren’t allowed to do—like sleep late, or roll in the mud, or attend parties in the barn hosted by the common folk. Maybe Pony was right when he said, “It’s a fine thing to be a pig, if a pig is what you are.”
Children's Literature
One fine country parade afternoon Pig is gifted with a blown-away "Princess" sash. Being a pig of simple mind, she sets out to become one . . . but apparently it takes more than a sash to make it so. Goat is of the opinion that royalty requires a crown, Cow a golden necklace, and Rooster a good smell. Having acquired these attributes, Pig runs the package past Pony, the only barnyard skeptic. Pony refuses to be swayed: Pig is still a pig. Will common sense win the day? Eileen Spinelli's cautionary tale about the perils of celebrity should be more than welcome in this era of "princess" overkill. Her simple narrative and comfortable dialogue are pleasantly illustrated by Tim Bowers's colored pencil and watercolor images of homey animals lolling around in the perfect Freddy the Pig, Upstate New York kind of farm. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr