This Little Piggy

This classic nursery rhyme all but demands counting and wiggling a little one's toes, but with only five piggies mentioned, what about the other foot? Debut author/illustrator Harrington handily solves that problem, whipping up new adventures for piggies six through 10: "This little piggy dug dancing," he writes, as a smiling disembodied toe shakes it on the dance floor, "And this little piggy flew planes. This little piggy sold hot dogs. This little piggy loved paints." The last little piggy has it best, with an intergalactic voyage that involves building a spaceship, meeting aliens, playing gravity tag, and riding solar slides--"Wee! Wee! Wee! All the way down!" Of course, all this "fun stuff" makes the "market-visiting, roast beef-enjoying" piggies jealous, so Harrington supplies new escapades for them, too, as well as a fourth go-around that helps the piggies get ready for bed. Harrington stays true to the cadence of the original, and his crisp, digitally drafted toes--lightly personified with smiling faces (well, toenails) and various accessories--embody the story's off-kilter sense of humor. Ages 4-8. Agent: Andy McNicol, William Morris Endeavor. (May)

PreS--A familiar rhyme becomes a fun-loving escapade when the five toes from "This Little Piggy" check out their counterparts on the other foot. Instead of going to market and eating roast beef, these piggies' interests include dancing, flying airplanes, selling hot dogs, and painting. A particularly daring piggy builds a spaceship and has intergalactic adventures. The toes on the original foot are then inspired to break out of their rut and have a costume party, chew gum, race go-karts, and play drums, and an extra-daring toe even becomes a superhero. All 10 piggies tire themselves out and read stories, brush their teeth, take a bath, and go z-z-z all the way to sleep. This extension of the story is sure to delight toddlers. The digital illustrations are fun and appealing. Harrington is also a musician and a song that accompanies this book can be accessed on the publisher's website. An amusing story, perfect for lap sharing.--Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT