The Pig's Picnic (Picture Puffins) [Paperback]

Keiko Kasza (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Picture Puffins

Mr. Pig wants to look his best when he asks Miss Pig to join him for a picnic. So he takes the advice of his friends Lion, Fox, and Zebra, and borrows something special from each of them. Mr. Pig thinks he looks pretty handsome-but what will Miss Pig say? This hilarious tale will have readers laughing aloud while it imparts a gentle message about being happy with who you are.

"Children will love the perky porcine star of this cheery tale." (School Library Journal)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As Mr. Pig heads off to meet Miss Pig for a picnic, he encounters animals who offer him their various attributes to impress her (Fox offers his tail; Zebra offers his stripes). "Kasza's gentle tale imparts the message to be true to oneself in a delightful and unobtrusive way," said PW. Ages 3-6.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1 Children will love the perky porcine star of this cheery tale. As Mr. Pig ponders which of several bow ties to wear, he is plainly concerned about asking Miss Pig to go on a picnic with him. However, friends whom he meets along the way rearrange his plans. Mr. Fox insists on lending his tail to create a foxy look. Lion contributes his beautiful hair, and Zebra her stripes. Full of borrowed confidence, Mr. Pig knocks on Miss Pig's door. She squeals in alarm at the monster before her and threatens to call her friend Mr. Pig. Without a word, our hero rushes off to return his finery, then hurries back to Miss Pig's house where he is welcomed with open arms. Charming watercolors expand the story, adding absurdity as each animal offers a prized possession. Funniest of all is Mr. Pig racing across the horizon, with mane and tail streaming out and the stripe coming loose on his arm, hurrying back to return his friends' belongings. Uncluttered paintings are minimal in detail, while realistically portraying the animals. Each cast of an eye or angle of a foot adds a whimsical touch. What a delightful way to say, ``You're OK just the way you are.'' Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, Neb.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698119029
• ISBN-13: 978-0698119024
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,216,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. "All the steps I took growing up were very normal," Ms. Kasza says. "The only unusual thing I did was go to college in the United States." She graduated with a degree in graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms. Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home ever since.After publishing five children's books in Japan and working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. Kasza decided in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. She says, "Having two small boys and two professions was too much to handle."Ms. Kasza admires many great picture-book creators, such as Leo Lionni and Maurice Sendak, but says that the work of Arnold Lobel has influenced her the most. The subtle humor and warmth he created in his books continues to inspire me," she says. "I often go back to his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence."Ms. Kasza compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the lights:"I become the character that I'm working on at that moment. I pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I'm acting, I'm a child myself."Ms. Kasza's ambition is not to create a hundred books, but to "create one really good book that will be kept on the family bookshelves for generations, although a hundred really good books would be even better, of course!"Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pigs' Picnic Review, May 2, 2000

By 

Carly Cassella Age 7 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pigs Picnic San (Hardcover)

The story was about not to always listen to what your friend's say, but to think for yourself. The pig goes around and wants to go to Mrs. Pig's house and ask her to go on a picnic. Some animals give him advice so Mrs. Pig will like him. But, it turns out that Mrs. Pig was scared of him and the way he looked. So he ran back and gave his animal friends back the advice they gave him! I think this book was really cool because it taught a lesson. Little kids can really learn from this book. It's exciting and everyone should read it. This is a very good book to read. Little kids will be happy when they read this book. I think it's really nice.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Day to Read about a Picnic!, July 19, 2010

By 

Book Bug "Mary" (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pigs' Picnic (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

This book is a must if you have children, or grandchildren. The pictures are sweet without being saccharine. Simple story about being yourself. Mr. Pig finds out, the hard and funny way, the truth of this! Highly recommend.

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Pig finds wisdom, May 9, 2010

By 

Coco "Read to Live" (Carlsbad, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pig's Picnic (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

What a wonderful story with the special message of how beneficial it is to accept yourself just the way you are. My favorite children's story by Keiko Kasza. Be sure to check out her other beautiful characters and stories.