This little piggy went dancing by Margaret Wild
Ill. by Deborah Niland. Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760113438
(Ages: 0-4) Recommended. Board book. This is a board book edition of
the 2013 publication and is a companion book to This little
piggy went singing. It is a playful take on the rhyme This
little piggy went to market, with the market trip and the
roast beef being substituted by all sorts of activities and meals.
The emphasis is on the physical activity and play that the piggies
engage in; even the piggy that stays home is busy: dancing, watering
the garden, playing, exercising and painting. Rather than wee, wee,
weeing all the way home the piggy's zoom their aeroplane, run, skip,
stomp, jump, hop and hula hoop all the way home. The reasons why the
piggy had none provide scope for discussion, as the pictures tell
the story (no carrots growing in the garden, empty yoghurt
container, spilt porridge).
The five little piggies come to life across the pages of this book
and are distinguishable from each other by their colouring, markings
and clothing, each one moving through the stages of the rhyme, first
going out, then staying home, eating, having none and then going
home. The piggies are happy and enjoying having fun and being
creative. In this way, the book captures the simple joy of childhood
and encourages self-confidence, play and physical activity.
This title works perfectly in board book form; even the youngest
babies will enjoy looking at the piggies and listening to the
repetitive and bouncy text. Older children will enjoy talking about
the illustrations and reading along.
Nicole Nelson