PIGGLE THE PIG

A delightfully undisciplined swine hastily prepares goodies in anticipation of a visit.

Piggle’s friends are coming over, so he decides to bake a cake. “Being a responsible pig, Piggle knew he’d better prepare right away.” Here begins the same wonderful humor that tickled funny bones in Piggle’s debut. Cheekily contradicting the unseen narrator’s assertions, the art depicts the round pink protagonist lounging in a comfy chair as the clock ticks on. “Well, soon, anyway,” amends the narrator. Piggle doggedly tries to stay focused, but he can’t help tasting the dough and then the final product until the cake is gone. Panicked but determined, he whips up a pizza and a tray of muffins, with similar results. Worst of all, he never cleans up the increasingly messy kitchen. Desperately raiding the pantry for possible snacks, he drops the party tray just as the doorbell rings. In tears, Piggle greets his pals—only to discover they’ve anticipated the problem. Though Piggle approaches every endeavor with the best of intentions, he’s stymied each time despite himself—which will only endear him further to readers. Matched by hilariously understated prose, Dudolf’s minimalist art is utterly expressive, balancing wit with genuinely heartfelt emotion.

Another irresistible outing with a lovably flawed but always well-meaning protagonist.