PLAYFUL PIGS FROM A TO Z

Twenty-six pigs spend a glorious day playing with the alphabet.

When 26 pigs wake up and decide to go exploring, they race along a country road to a field of “magical surprises.” Each pig finds a large, free-standing letter of the alphabet and interacts with it in a special way. Wearing a fetching pleated skirt and pullover, Amanda Pig admires A; Billy Pig, in his form-fitting leotard, balances on B; Clara Pig, wrapped in a blue apron, cleans the C. Each appropriately costumed pig showcases a letter of the alphabet until Zeke Pig, in his pajamas, “zzz’s” on the Z, and the hungry, tired, and happy pigs return home to feast on corn and apples and fall asleep, pink bottoms up. Matching the beginning letter of each pig’s name and verb to a letter of the alphabet, Lobel reinforces both letter recognition and sound. Working in gouache and watercolor, she frames pages in neat alphabet borders, drawing attention to each costumed pig with its featured letter. Strategically tucked into the corner of each frame, a different fruit, flower, or vegetable beginning with the same letter adds to the playful pedagogy. Drawn in her amusing signature style, Lobel’s adorable pigs steal this very clever show.

Delightfully playful indeed.