THIS LITTLE PIGGY

What’s the perfect pet for you? Could it be a pig?

Haven’t you always wanted a pig? They make perfect pets. But first you have to convince your brother that he wants a pig too (instead of a rhino or gorilla or dragon). Wow him with some pig facts, like “pigs are louder than motorcycles.” If that doesn’t work, mention pigs love mud (and remind him that he does, too). Once he’s on board, you’ll have to convince your mother. She loves gardening but not pigs. Make a checklist of things you need to do before presenting your pig to mom. Top of the list, after picking him out, is cleaning him. This might be an ongoing concern (especially when your new pet decides veggies aren’t as appetizing as mom’s compost heap. Try teaching him tricks and take him to the fair to see if he can win a ribbon; Mom can’t possibly reject an award-winning pig. Or maybe the pig could help out in the garden? Marko’s graphic/early-reader hybrid about procuring a porcine pet will appeal to those looking for short, silly chapters. Her busy, cheery, full-color cartoon illustrations of a brown-skinned girl and her fair-skinned brother (with perfect pink piggie) mixed with two or three sentences per page and speech bubbles will keep pages turning.

Even those not pie-eyed for pigs will find something to like in this jolly outing.