Pigs in a Pickle

Wilhelm’s pigs have returned in this parody reminiscent of the classic nursery rhyme This Little Piggy with almost every page beginning with “This little piggy,” followed by a fun activity. The pigs are enjoying their day of fun as they build a sandcastle on the beach, spin around on the playground roundabout, play a game of soccer, sing a song, and practice magic. When something doesn’t go according to plan and the pigs end up in a pickle—like when a piggy forgets the magic words to the spell, sings the wrong note, or breaks a toy car—the pigs work together to try again and “give their best shot.” While the text is rhyming and has a good message, the cadence is lacking, with lines that fluctuate with inconsistent syllables throughout. The illustrations of the pigs are plain and simple and, though playful, not endearing, with the short shirts showing pig bellies and repetitive use of facial expressions. The story ends with the wise words that “sometimes it works . . . and sometimes it does not,” reinforcing the positive message that even when someone messes up, it’s okay—no piggie is perfect.