The Book Hog

by Greg Pizzoli (Author) Greg Pizzoli (Illustrator)

The Book Hog
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

The Book Hog loves books---the way they look, the way they feel, the way they smell--and he'll grab whatever he can find. There's only one problem: he can't read! But when a kind librarian invites him to join for storytime, this literature-loving pig discovers the treasure that books really are.

Greg Pizzoli, master of read-aloud fun and three-time Theodor Seuss Geisel Award recipient, introduces a character sure to steal kids' hearts using his signature cheerful colors and lighthearted narrative style.

Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

Publishers Weekly

The Japanese word tsundoku describes books that have piled up in a home without being read. Pizzoli's porcine protagonist certainly accumulates books--he's a relentless buyer and forager--and he adores each volume ("He loved the way they smelled, and the way the pages felt in his hooves. He especially liked the ones with pictures"). But reading procrastination is not his problem. Book Hog has a big secret: "He didn't know how to read. He had never learned." Then Book Hog discovers the library ("he smelled some books inside") and a whole community of book lovers, including a kind librarian whose attentiveness and story times inspire him--"over time, and with practice"--to become a reader. Pizzoli once again employs a candy-colored palette and an ebullient cast--the pink-and-green look, and even some of the characters, are reminiscent of his The Watermelon Seed. And, as always in a Pizzoli book, there are wonderful details: readers will note that the markings on spines of the books go from fuzzy lines to actual titles when the Book Hog learns to read, and that in one spread, he raptly stands right by the librarian's chair, clutching its arm as she reads aloud to the group. Who hasn't seen--or been--that kid? Ages 3-5. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Mar.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Even non-Book-Hogs should have this one. It's that good."—Jon Klassen, Caldecott Medal winner for This Is Not My Hat
Greg Pizzoli
Greg Pizzoli is an author, illustrator and screen printer. When not chomping down on watermelon, he can be found in his studio or teaching at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he also received his MFA. This is his first book. Visit him at www.gregpizzoli.com.

Awards
2011 52nd Communication Arts Illustration Annual: Self Promotion Category
2011 Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Illustrator Showcase Honor Award
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781368036894
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date
March 26, 2019
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002200 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Pigs
JUV047000 - Juvenile Fiction | Books & Libraries
Library of Congress categories
Pigs
Swine
Libraries
Books and reading
Literacy
Geisel Medal (Dr. Seuss)
Honor Book 2020 - 2020

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