Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Half a Pig
Illustrator: Jessica Ahlberg
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Candlewick, 2004 ISBN: 978-0763623739
It is a dreadful situation, of that there can be no doubt. A very sweet and loving lady called Mrs. Harbottle has a delightful little pig of whom she is enormously fond. Unfortunately she technically owns only half of Esmeralda; the other half belongs to her ex-husband. Mr. Harbottle is a sausage guzzling monster whose only interest in Esmeralda is to turn his half of her into sausages. So determined is he to do this that he arranges to have the pig stolen.
What follows is a tale of full of wonderful words, villains, heroes, chases, and much more besides. Alan Ahlberg engages the reader in his story with a wonderful tale, funny little footnotes on some of the pages, and comments about words which clearly fascinate him. He has created a very unique kind of text that is sure to appeal to anyone who dislikes bullies and likes happy endings. The illustrator uses all sorts of different tricks to keep the pages turning and to keep the action alive.
