Ace: The Very Important Pig [Paperback]

Dick King-Smith (Author), Lynette Hemmant (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Meet Ace, Babe's great-grandson, who also gets a new cover from Knopf Paperbacks this season. "
A Horn Book Fanfare Honor Book
An IRA/CBC Children's Choice
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.  

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Once again, King-Smith recounts the adventures of a highly unusual pig in this fanciful sequel to Babe: The Gallant Pig , which introduces Babe's great-grandson Ace. Much to the amazement of the other barnyard animals, Ace understands the language of human beings and, although his own vocabulary is limited to a few snorts, squeals and grunts, communicates quite well with his owner, Farmer Tubbs. As time goes by, Ace starts to act more like a person than a pig. He sits in the farmer's most comfortable chair, watches educational TV, rides in the front seat of the truck and even visits the local pub. When word of the remarkable pig spreads throughout the countryside and Ace becomes a celebrity, fame does not go to his head. In the end he is content to lead a quiet life on the farm. Readers will recognize many parallels between this book and its predecessor, yet fresh characterizations and new plot twists prevent old concepts from growing stale. Emerging as a gentle parody of human behavior, this winsome story is sure to warm hearts and bring smiles. Ages 7-12.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-- Ace is an intelligent, lovable, unlikely pig hero, similar to his ancestor Babe: The Gallant Pig (Crown, 1985). Ace is distinguished from his littermates by a black mark in the shape of a club from a deck of cards, and also by his ability to understand human speech. The lonely, good-natured Farmer Tubbs is used to talking to his animals, but he is amazed when this young piglet makes his wants known with different grunts. With the help of the clever house cat and by flattering a fat corgi, Ace gains entry to the house and makes himself comfortable watching the magic television box. Despite the fame that he achieves, the pig remains unspoiled and content with the simple pleasures: his animal friends and a good television show viewed from the comfort of his favorite armchair. King-Smith's delightful animal fantasy is lightly satirical, poking fun at human pretensions in the foibles of the animal characters. The division of the book into 14 short chapters makes it particularly appropriate as an introduction to longer fiction and well suited to teachers looking for read-aloud fiction. --Yvonne Frey, Peoria Pub . Schools, IL
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (March 10, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679819312
• ISBN-13: 978-0679819318
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.4 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( K ) > King-Smith, Dick

More About the Author

Dick King-Smith was a farmer for twenty years before becoming a writer, and most of his animal stories are based on his farming experiences. He won the Guardian Award with The Sheep-Pig, which became the blockbuster film Babe. Dick lives in Gloucestershire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ace: The Very Important Pig, November 24, 1999

By 

Tanya Linnell (Carlin, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ace: The Very Important Pig (Paperback)

This book will have you laughing down the aisle. It is a wonderful tale of a pig who can understand what his owner says. Ace can also let his owner know what he wants through grunts and squeals. Follow Ace from his pen to his television debut. This book is great for children of all ages, even adults.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary!!, May 23, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Ace: The Very Important Pig (Paperback)

This book is very exciting I learned about how ACE the pig can communicate with his owner. He has alot of adventures. I would reccommend this book to any age I think it would brighten anyone`s day to hear about a big fat pig that made me laugh. It`s a book that you can`t put down but sometimes you have to . I would give it five golden stars. ACE the pig, Nanny the lamb and Megan,are all the people that live on Ted Tubbs Farm. ACE isn`t an ordinary pig If you want to find out why, you should read this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ace: The House Pig, May 29, 2000

By 

"simpspig" (CA. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ace: The Very Important Pig (Paperback)

This is another Dick King-Smith favorite of many people. This author has a way with words..............especially with Ace; he can understand HUMAN WORDS! He and his owner share a bond somehow; they can "understand" each other. Named Ace after the Ace of clubs (because he has a club-shaped birthmark), he doesn't want to go where his brothers and sisters are going, and he's prepared to do anything as long as he doesn't have to......he doesn't really have to do anything, though because of his talent, although he DOES makes peace with the farmer's pets, Megan & Clarence. Ace, along with lots of other King-Smith's pigs, is better than E.B. White's Wilbur.