Pig and Pug

by Lynne Berry, Gemma Correll (Illustrator)

Overview

Pig and Pug are very different (but not really). See how their similarities show up in this mischievous picture book that’s perfect for pet lovers.

Pig and Pug are petite and portable pets—one in a pocket, one in a purse. They are also two spunky spirits: Pug, rather pugnacious; Pig, a bit pigheaded. When these two meet, bickering, chasing, and even some mud wrestling ensue. But after some creative compromises, Pig and Pug manage to settle their differences and become friends...at least for the time being.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481421317
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	06/02/2015
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 7.75(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	210L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lynne Berry has published numerous poems in Cricket and Ladybug magazines, and she is the author of the picture books Duck Skates, The Curious Demise of the Contrary Cat, What Floats in a Moat?, and Pig and Pug. Lynne lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Gemma Correll is an award-winning cartoonist, writer, and illustrator. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, NPR, Elle, and Forbes, among many others. She has written her own books and illustrated several others for adult and children’s publishers. Her design clients include Hallmark, The New York Times, Progressive, and JetBlue. She has done product partnerships with The Whitney Museum, Converse, Keurig, and numerous other brands. Her products are available in various stores, including World Market. Every year since 2016, she has created social media campaigns for Mental Health America during Mental Health Awareness Month. In short, her work is everywhere. Originally from Britain, she now lives in California with her husband and two pugs.

Editorial Reviews

04/13/2015
Pig and Pug should be instant friends—they are both cute, petite, and full of energy. But Pug insists on addressing Pig as “Pug” (actually, “a pudgy Pug”), and Pig doesn’t like it one bit. After some tussling, a lot of contradictory gainsaying (“ ‘Yes, you are,’ says Pug to Pig. ‘Am not!’ says Pig”), and some table-turning thanks to an encounter with a muddy hole (“Pug, the muddy Pig,” declares Pig, feeling quite clever), the two seem to be on the road to friendship, “at least for now.” Although Berry’s (What Floats in a Moat?) repartee may remind readers of the silly arguments they have had with siblings and friends, it’s not quite enough to hang a story on. Similarly, Correll’s (What I Wore Today) almost totemic characters, boldly outlined and set against white space or solid colors, start out full of promise, only to quickly reveal the limitations of their expressiveness. It’s closer to the beginning of a lifelong rivalry than a beautiful friendship. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. Illustrator’s agent: Sylvie Hamel, Anna Goodson Illustration Agency. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Expressive illustrations [make] for an eye-catching layout. The alliterative language and wordplay with pug and pig lend themselves to reading aloud and will appeal to children who like their humor on the slapsticky side.

Booklist

"Aside from the lip-smacking delight of reading this title aloud, the book’s tightly controlled vocabulary and frequent repetition will suit emerging readers to a t—or a p."

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Aside from the lip-smacking delight of reading this title aloud, the book’s tightly controlled vocabulary and frequent repetition will suit emerging readers to a t—or a p."

Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books

"Aside from the lip-smacking delight of reading this title aloud, the book’s tightly controlled vocabulary and frequent repetition will suit emerging readers to a t—or a p."

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Expressive illustrations [make] for an eye-catching layout. The alliterative language and wordplay with pug and pig lend themselves to reading aloud and will appeal to children who like their humor on the slapsticky side.

Booklist

05/01/2015
PreS-K—Pig and Pug spot each other and confusion immediately arises about whether Pig is a pug and if Pug might actually be a pig. Initially excited by the sight of someone the same size and shape, the diminutive pair eventually find themselves disagreeing and taunting each other. After a time out leads to a tumble into the mud for Pug, the two apologize and become friends…but only for a moment. With a simple color palette, the digital artwork is soothing to the eyes as well as humorously appealing. The minimal text gets the emotions across by not overly explaining what's going in. Children will laugh as Pig and Pug argue. Fans of books that utilize a limited vocabulary, like Jeff Mack's Ah Ha (Chronicle, 2013) and David LaRochelle's Moo! (Bloomsbury, 2014) will delight in the silly squabbles. VERDICT A fun addition to most picture book collections.—Paige Garrison, Aurora Central Public Library, CO

School Library Journal

★ 2015-03-17
How do two tiny critters get to be friends? Sometimes it takes a bit of an effort. At first glance, Pig and Pug seem perfectly matched potential pals—until they get to know each other. They have so much in common: they are teeny, with adorable wide-eyed faces, and travel in style, Pug in a purse and Pig in a pocket. Like many a blind date, things start off well. Their eyes meet, and the small talk begins. That's when things get sticky. Confusion sets in: Pug insists that Pig is a pug and hollers, "Oh! Pig! Pig the Pudgy Pug!" Pig takes umbrage at the slight. Poking, pouncing, and further name-calling commence, and soon these two pocket-sized competitors are so exhausted that they have to call timeout. Frequently repeated simple words, many in speech bubbles, make this an excellent choice for new readers, especially kids who love readers' theater and partner reading. Cartoon-style illustrations feature especially expressive eye and ear movement to telegraph the animals' emotions. The teal and off-red background color scheme matches the characters' clothing and gives everything a warm retro feel. Especially effective are two double-page spreads in which Pug finds himself rolling in the mud (like a pig?), setting up rapprochement. New readers will find two new frenemies to love here. Bravo, Pig and Pug! (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews