If You Give a Pig a Pancake

Title: If You Give a Pig a Pancake
Author: Laura Numeroff
Illustrator: Felicia Bond
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Age Level: Lower Elementary
Rating: 3 stars

             Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Pig a Pancake is a fun and silly read for young kids.  Numeroff’s series regarding animals was popular for children of elementary school ages when I was young, and they still are today.  The cartoon art illustrations by Felicia Bond give added detail about the story that is not included in the text.  For example, the girl’s expression in the pictures is one of exhaustion, which is not mentioned what-so-ever in the sentences prior. 

            This story wraps around from a pig wanting a pancake, to wanting many other things, to in the end just wanting a pancake once again.  It demonstrates series of events in life and how one thing in one’s mind can lead to something completely different, which will in turn lead to something different, and the cycle continues.  This is a very relatable thing to any person, as one thought can remind one of something else, which will then remind them of a totally different idea, continuing the brain’s path. 

            This picture book is ideal for young kids, as it is relatable, colorful, and funny.  The sentences are short on each page, which could be helpful for beginning readers.  Overall, Numeroff’s books are fun and childish in a way that I can still appreciate even after reading them fifteen years later.  
            This book would be alright to read in a lower elementary school classroom for fun, but does not portray a very important message that you would typically find in classroom readings.  I think it would be an enjoyable read for children at home with their parents, or as a fun short story in class.  It is also good for beginning readers because sentences are short and the words used are pretty basic.