This little piggy went dancing by Margaret Wild

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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

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