Lady Lollipop [Paperback]

Dick King-Smith (Author), Jill Barton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: July 14, 2003 | Age Range: 7 - 10 years

"The author of BABE, THE GALLANT PIG offers another winner with this tale of a bright pig and her canny young keeper ‘training’ a spoiled princess. . . . Move over, Wilbur."— KIRKUS REVIEWS (starred review)


Lollipop is no ordinary pig. According to her young trainer, Johnny Skinner, she’s the smartest pig in the entire kingdom. When people stare into Lollipop’s bright, intelligent eyes, it somehow changes them for the better. But can Lollipop win over the spoiled Princess Penelope - and her not-so-pig-friendly parents, the King and Queen? With humorous black-and-white illustrations by Jill Barton, Dick King-Smith’s tale about a special pig - and some memorable humans, too - will delight his legions of loyal fans!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

King-Smith's sprightly confection dresses up a standard-issue plot with amusing, old-fashioned storytelling. Spoiled, willful and insufferably rude, young Princess Penelope is "a right pain in the neck," as the palace courtiers and servants agree. Her parents, especially her father, seem bent on indulging her every whim, however, and when Penelope insists on a pet pig for her eighth birthday ("I wanna pig, I wanna pig, I wanna pig!"), they reluctantly summon all the pig keepers in the land. To her parents' dismay, the princess chooses "the scruffiest, ugliest pig of the lot." Lollipop may not be comely, but "she's the brightest, cleverest pig you ever did see," as her keeper, Johnny Skinner, assures the royal family, an assertion that quickly proves correct. Before long, the boy and his charge have charmed not only the king and queen (who is delighted with Lollipop's skill at weeding and fertilizing the rose garden), but more importantly, the princess herself, who, in the process of helping to train Lollipop, learns a few lessons about manners and friendship. Beginning or reluctant readers will appreciate that the tale is served up in a dozen short chapters, which Barton's (the Baby Duck books) line illustrations mine for all their innocent charm. Ages 7-10.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Spoiled Princess Penelope's parents give her the pig she demands as a present for her eighth birthday. And, luckily enough for the child and her royal but ineffective parents, the endearing animal is accompanied by young Johnny Skinner, an amiable pig-keeper determined to teach the family something about manners and good sense. King-Smith's abundant affection for pigs and sure hand with dialogue keep the story buoyant, and the happy ending is never in doubt. Lollipop adapts to palace life quite quickly, thanks to Johnny's good training, and she even has a flap in the palace door so that she can get out as necessity dictates. Barton's pencil illustrations are charming and recall Ernest H. Shepard's various royal personages in A. A. Milne's Now We Are Six. The king's befuddled face and Penelope's stormy looks are delightful. Lollipop is shown with a sweetly confident expression as she goes about her pig activities, including happily depositing a bit of fertilizer on the queen's roses. The cover is inviting, and the book is handsomely designed with an open and readable typeface. An appealing read-aloud for younger children and a satisfying chapter book for those a little older.

Kathie Meizner, Montgomery County Public Libraries, Chevy Chase, MD

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 7 - 10 years
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; Reprint edition (July 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763621811
• ISBN-13: 978-0763621810
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Pigs
  • #85 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Royalty

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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A new kind of house pet! October 18, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Reminiscent of Lester, the pig in the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series, Lollipop is a homely pig chosen as a present by the spoiled Princess Penelope for her 8th birthday. Her owner, Johnny, has trained this pig to obey commands much as a dog would, and comes to live at the palace with the pig. The King secretly engages the boy to train his daughter as well, as she is getting out of hand. This predictable story teaches a couple of lessons to the readers--the problem of selfishness and not judging by appearances--without beating the reader with those messages. The illustrations complement the text, which is roughly a 3rd grade level.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It's A Great Book! May 6, 2007

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

I really liked the story Lady Lollipop. The story is about a spoiled princess. Her mother and father gave her whatever she wanted. On her eighth birthday she wanted a pig. Her mother and father did not like pigs; they thought pigs were disgusting animals. Finally, they agreed to give her a pig for her eighth birthday, because she was spoiled and they gave her anything she wanted.

The owner of the pig she chose was an orphan boy. The pig was the only thing he had, and the princess felt pity for him. So, she asked if he wanted to come live with her in the palace and take care of the pig. The boy gladly agreed to go live with the pricess in the palace.

The boy taught the pig to do many things, and he wondered if he could teach the princess to think more about other people. One day the princess did begin to think more about other people.

My favorite part of the story was when the princess picked her pig. It was cool that the boy, who was very nice, told her all about the pig.

I am seven and a half years old, and I read this story myself. The story was just right for me. I read alot and would generally suggest a good reader of seven years or older could read it (a few words were difficult, but I could still understand the story). This would also be good story for a parent to read aloud.

I said this review out loud to my dad, who typed it in for me.

Thanks!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book!!!!! September 9, 2003

By GardenBoyandGirl

Format:Hardcover

My daughter, who is 6, sometimes has a hard time keeping her attention focused on chapter books. She loved this one so much we plowed through 9 of the 12 chapters in one night and she was begging to finish it the next night. Thanks, Mr. King-Smith!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I have ever read. November 15, 2005

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

It's about a princess named Penelope.Who is a spoiled rotten.The king asked what she wanted for her 8th birthday. The king get's her anything she want's. Penelope asked for a pig. The king had people from the royal chamber come with a pig. She went through tons of pigs. Then she picked the last one.

The owner's name was Johney Skinner. He was an orphan. The king asked him to train the pig. The princess named the pig Lady Lollipop. The pig wouldn't listen to her but she listened to Johney.Lollipop finally listened to her. She rewared her with a treat.Then the princess finally liked Lollipop. I like this book because it's one of the best books I have ever read in my life. It was a great and funny book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great choice for young independent readers! April 4, 2007

By Lydia K. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I have a five-year-old who is a voracious reader. It's hard to find chapter books that have content appropriate to her age but are still substantial enough to draw her in...and that she can't polish off in one sitting! Lady Lollipop has a wonderfully playful, fairy-tale feeling that fits the bill perfectly. I loved hearing my daughter burst into laughter as she read the book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lady Lollipop September 7, 2006

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

I like this book because,it's one of the books you want to read over and over again. It's a fun book your whole famly will love.I love this book so much because of the author,Dick King-Smith, he is a great writer. I love the book,I love Guinea Pigs,and Dick King-Smith cares a lot abot pigs and thats why I love the book Lady Lollipop.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Not so Dirty Pet August 30, 2006

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

The princess gets a pig for her birthday but the queen doesn't like it. The queen thinks it's dirty. This book is about figuring out ways for the queen to like the pig. I think this is a very, very funny book, because there are three pictures of poo-poo.

I am 9 years old and I found this very easy to read.

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun to read with my Girls January 14, 2013

By Renee H. Lee

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

In a world where everybody seems to be like prince and princesses, this story was great to read with my 7 and 9 year old daughters before bedtime. I thought it might be boring for my 9 year old, but she loves animals and loved the story. Lady Lollipop is a wonderful story of how a spoiled princess learns how to be patient and thoughtful as she befriends her new pet pig and the trainer that accompanies her. Cute. My 7 year old is now a Dick King-Smith fan!