Piggins [Paperback]

Jane Yolen (Author), Jane Dyer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Piggins the butler solves the mysterious disappearance of Mrs. Reynard’s diamond lavaliere with the help of a delightful set of characters. “One of a kind--and sure to provide a great deal of fun for many readers and listeners.”--School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Whimsy abounds in this tale of a porcine butler who solves crimes in his off hours. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3 A sophisticated English mystery parody for the primary set. The Reynards throw a dinner party to show off Mrs. Reynard's new diamond lavaliere and to explain why they must sell it. As Mr. Reynard is relating the story of the necklace's curse, the lights go off; when they are restored, the necklace is gone. All the dinner guests are stumped, but Piggins, the very proper butler, explains to all how it was done and who did the evil deed. Yolen utlizes word play in the namesProfessor T. Ortoise is an elderly turtle. Her plot is clever, but with enough obvious clues for first or second graders to solve the mystery on their own. Some of Yolen's understated humor may not be appreciated by children, but an adult reader will enjoy sharing this book with children. The color pencil and watercolor illustrations complement the text in every way. Each textual detail is meticulously expressed in the pictures. The animal characters have human expression while still remaining true to their animal naturesthe rats, of course, are the thieves. The Edwardian details in decor and costuming are fun to examine and yet do not interfere with the action or visual flow of the illustrations. One of a kindand sure to provide a great deal of fun for many readers and listeners. Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1987 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 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (February 28, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152616861
• ISBN-13: 978-0152616861
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in New York City, Jane Yolen now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, Jane Yolen is a person of many talents. When she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. Active in several organizations, Yolen has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. In 1980, when Yolen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the citation recognized that "throughout her writing career she has remained true to her primary source of inspiration--folk culture." Folklore is the "perfect second skin," writes Yolen. "From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world." Folklore, she believes, is the universal human language, a language that children instinctively feel in their hearts. All of Yolen's stories and poems are somehow rooted in her sense of family and self. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birding. Yolen's graceful rhythms and outrageous rhymes have been gathered in numerous collections. She has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. Her books and stories have been translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Afrikaans, !Xhosa, Portuguese, and Braille. With a versatility that has led her to be called "America's Hans Christian Andersen," Yolen, the child of two writers, is a gifted and natural storyteller. Perhaps the best explanation for her outstanding accomplishments comes from Jane Yolen herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book to read aloud, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Piggins (Library Binding)

This is a children's picture book written in the classic English Manor House Mystery style-- complete with a dinner party, distinguished guests, missing jewels and, of course, the butler, Piggins. I won't give away who "did it," but kids will have fun solving the mystery as you read the book to them. Part of the fun is looking at all the details in the drawings of the house. I highly recommend this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Mystery for Early Readers, March 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Piggins (Paperback)

My 4 year old daughter really enjoys the three mysteries written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Jane Dyer in the Piggins series, but "Piggins" is her most favorite. I often catch her flipping through the pages by herself in a quiet corner telling the story to herself. Dyer's illustrations are colorful and detailed. There are many things for a small child to look at. Yolen's story is as usual, a great read and keeps my daughter's attention the whole story (well, expect for when she starts asking questions!) Thank goodness the book came out in paperback, as the book is constantly in circulation at our local library. We now have all three Piggins Stories in our bookcase!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT WAY TO INTRODUCE YOUR CHILD TO MYSTERY NOVELS. If you like Agatha Christe, you will love this one., August 7, 2011

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Piggins (Paperback)

What a charming way to introduce the little ones to the concept of mystery novels such as those written by Agatha Christe. Here we have the classical closed room mystery (without any murder of course) set in Edwardian times. In this story though, the butler most certainly did not do it as it is the butler, Piggins who solves the mystery.

I would hate to call this one a parody, but in a way it is, since to parody something the audience really must know what is being parodied. It is doubtful if the age group to which this story is targeted has read many Christe novels. On the other hand, any adult reading the book to or with the child will pick up on it immediately.

The characters in this story are all animals; English animals dressed in typical clothing of the Edwardian era. The artist, Jane Dyer, has done a wonderfully detailed and colorful job of this. Each of the animals more or less portrays an individual who perfectly matches what ever critter is used. The use of a pig; Piggins in this case, fits perfectly. You have never seen such a dignified pig in your life. Foxes, rats, rabbits, bloodhounds, and turtles all have their part.

The text is quite well done and the mystery (A stolen diamond lavaliere in this case) is well developed and if the reader is attentive enough, a few clues (not too obvious) have been laid out in nice form.

Even without the illustrations though, the art work in this one is well worth the price of the book. It is one of those that offer pictures with so much detail that each time the child reads the book, something new will be found or noticed.

All in all this is a truly fun book to read.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks