HOW TICKLES SAVED PICKLES

When a miniature pig named Pickles needs a blood transfusion, his owners purchase a full-size pig that then needs to find a permanent home.

In this story based on true events, Pickles narrates his own story of adoption into a family where he is a pampered pet. He learns to play with friendly dogs and how to surf, jump over a barricade, and paint his own pictures. Then one day he gets very sick and needs a blood transfusion. His family purchases a pig for the blood supply and Pickles is saved, but the new, 650 pound pig, named Tickles, needs somewhere to live. The family finds Tickles a permanent home on a farm, where she is visited by Pickles and her family’s new pet, a puppy named Dill. (Dill, Pickles, get it?) The story is illustrated with photographs of the undeniably charming little pig, who has a snout that is half pink and half black. The big pig is also appealing in her own way, especially in several photographs at her new home on the farm. The concept of a blood transfusion from one pig to another may be over the heads of the intended audience, but the idea of a pet pig in the house will probably appeal to most preschoolers, if not their parents. An author’s note explains the circumstances of the little pig’s illness and his treatment.

This sweet story of Pickles won’t tickle everyone’s fancy, but overall it’s an amusing if lightweight story about an unusual type of pet.