Pigs at tea are the subject of a rollicking, rhyming, counting read-aloud. A little pig in a bright green dress comes to cleverly punned Swinings Tea Room and tells the maitre d’ that it’s one for tea—“No, wait a minute,” as a piggy friend walks in the door. As the maitre d’ walks them to the table, another buddy in a pin-striped suit turns up, and then a fourth, fifth, and sixth, and so on. The maitre d’ gets increasingly agitated (“What next?! I am so very tired and vexed!”) By the time there are ten, he’s quite cheered because they order one of everything, and then invite him to join them. The piggies, who are varying pig colors and sport a variety of spiffy outfits, are drawn in bright crayon colors and strong black outlines, as are the tea ware, sweets, and savories. At the end, Swinings’ sign says, “CLOSED for a Private Party” and all are clearly having a good time. (Picture book. 4-6)
