What If, Pig?

by Linzie Hunter

Overview

You’re not going to find a more heartwarming dynamic duo than Pig and Mouse! Join Pig as he learns how to turn his “what if" worries from anxiety to optimism, all with the help of his loving friend Mouse.

"Readers will certainly empathize with Pig and his emotions." —Kirkus 

“Hunter’s picture book will draw its audience with vibrant colors, oh-so-adorable characters, and plenty of silliness” –Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Young readers will learn that being afraid is a common, temporary feeling, and that they can talk to others about it." —School Library Journal 

Mouse has never had a friend quite like Pig. Pig is so incredibly kind, fabulously fun, but he also has a big secret—he’s a tremendous worrier!

When Pig gets the brilliant idea to throw a party for Mouse and their friends, he can’t help but think of everything that could possibly go wrong. After all, what if a lion eats all the invitations? What if nobody comes? Or worse, what if everyone comes and has an awful time?

In this adorable story, Linzie Hunter’s charming, bright illustrations pair perfectly with her sweet and funny story about friendship and the endless wonder of "what if" that readers of all ages can relate to. This picture book is a great conversation starter in the home or classroom.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063089709
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/19/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	22 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	1 - 12 Years

About the Author

Linzie Hunter comes from Scotland but lives in England, which is similar but different. From her London studio, she draws pictures of all sorts of cool stuff, including dogs with spectacles, cats with berets, and other animals with both these things. What If, Pig? is the first book that Linzie has written, and she thinks that you are definitely the nicest, most generous and fun person for reading it. You can check out her sketchbooks at www.linziehunter.co.uk.

Linzie Hunter comes from Scotland but lives in England, which is similar but different. From her London studio, she draws pictures of all sorts of cool stuff, including dogs with spectacles, cats with berets, and other animals with both these things. What If, Pig? is the first book that Linzie has written, and she thinks that you are definitely the nicest, most generous and fun person for reading it. You can check out her sketchbooks at www.linziehunter.co.uk.

Editorial Reviews

07/19/2021

Lighthearted doodle-adjacent digital art in a vibrant color palette lends Hunter’s “porky panicker” protagonist levity in this cheerful picture book debut. Egg-shaped Pig, who wears white spectacles, is “incredibly kind, fabulously fun, and endlessly generous”—and blue-gray Mouse, as well as other animal friends, agree. “But what if Pig had a secret?” As Pig’s identity as “a proper nervous Nelly” is revealed, what-if questions serve as a refrain, presenting a visualized thought spiral about the party and its chances of success. “What if a FEROCIOUS LION eats all the invitations?” one spread reads, as a smiling, round goldenrod-colored lion munches on envelopes. But then Mouse steps in, letting Pig nap, giving Pig a drink, and taking them for a walk before revealing a surprise party. A paragon of supportive friendship, with a gentle encouragement to share mental health struggles with trusted friends. Ages 4–8. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"Readers will certainly empathize with Pig and his emotions." 
— Kirkus Reviews

“Hunter’s picture book will draw its audience with vibrant colors, oh-so-adorable characters, and plenty of silliness…Pig’s struggle serves as a clear, approachable introduction to anxiety and imposter syndrome that may come in handy for older readers as much as little ones…This is certain to please at storytime or more intimate readings, and it may result in a fair share of great parties.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The comic poses and vibrant colors add much-needed levity to this important story about fear, anxiety, and friendship. Young readers will learn that being afraid is a common, temporary feeling, and that they can talk to others about it. A necessary and powerful lesson for children, accompanied by expressive, funny scenes.” — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

Hunter’s picture book will draw its audience with vibrant colors, oh-so-adorable characters, and plenty of silliness…Pig’s struggle serves as a clear, approachable introduction to anxiety and imposter syndrome that may come in handy for older readers as much as little ones…This is certain to please at storytime or more intimate readings, and it may result in a fair share of great parties.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Hunter’s picture book will draw its audience with vibrant colors, oh-so-adorable characters, and plenty of silliness…Pig’s struggle serves as a clear, approachable introduction to anxiety and imposter syndrome that may come in handy for older readers as much as little ones…This is certain to please at storytime or more intimate readings, and it may result in a fair share of great parties.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

06/01/2021

PreS-Gr 2—Have you ever had a friend as kind, fun, and generous as Pig, but who has a big secret? Mouse and the many others who feel lucky to count Pig among their friends, but he is "a Tremendous Worrier, a Porky Panicker, a Proper Nervous Nelly." He wants to throw a party for Mouse and their friends, but cannot shake the feeling that something will go wrong. Pig considers canceling the party, but Mouse helps him see past his worrying so that he can eventually enjoy the celebration. The comic poses and vibrant colors add much-needed levity to this important story about fear, anxiety, and friendship. Young readers will learn that being afraid is a common, temporary feeling, and that they can talk to others about it. VERDICT A necessary and powerful lesson for children, accompanied by expressive, funny scenes.—Maegen Rose, Rye Country Day Sch., NY

School Library Journal

2021-03-31
A “Porky Panicker” what ifs his party plans to death.

Pig is a kind, fun, and generous friend; all his friends think so, and they all feel pretty lucky to have Pig for a companion. One day, Pig is struck by the brilliant idea to throw a party, but then he comes down with an attack of the what ifs. Suddenly the pleasantly smiling porker’s mouth turns down, becomes an O of horror, arranges itself in a rigid, toothy, fake grin as he imagines each scenario: A lion eats the invitations (or the guests!), no one comes, or they come but no one has fun. Worst, “What if…no one really likes me at all?” A relieved smile ghosts over Pig’s face when he imagines cancelling the party. Though friend Mouse supports Pig in this decision, Mouse is behind the scenes working to return all the friendship Pig has showered on his friends, reassuring a sad Pig that “Things don’t stay gray for very long.” Indeed, Pig’s loyal friends prove that while sharing their own worries and fears with one another, thereby lessening their impacts. “What if I have the kindest, most generous and fun friends a pig could meet?” Pig happily concludes. Hunter’s simple, brightly colored illustrations keep the focus on the animal characters, each one drawn with just a few characteristic traits to enable species identification. Readers will certainly empathize with Pig and his emotions. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-16-inch double-page spreads viewed at 27.9% of actual size.)

What if you only imagined good what ifs? (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews