Without You

by Geneviève Côté

Summary: Two friends, a rabbit and a pig, have a quarrel until they discover that they have more fun together than alone.

This is a sweet story about friendship. This book is great for a quick read aloud to preschool students.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Babe: The Gallant Pig

by Dick King-Smith

Summary: A piglet destined for eventual butchering arrives at the farmyard, is adopted by an old sheep dog, and discovers a special secret to success.

Having seen the adorable movie, Babe more times than I should admit, I decided to read this book when I came across it. It is short, humorous, and very enjoyable. I recommend it especially to any pig lovers, dog lovers, or lovers of any farm animals at all. I understand that Dick King-Smith has written other animal stories, and that they were incorporated into the movie Babe.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 6

I Like Me

by Nancy Carlson

Summary: By admiring her finer points and showing that she can take care of herself and have fun even when there's no one else around, a charming pig proves the best friend you can have is yourself

This is a great book for discussing self esteem. I was hoping the end would include something about how having friends around is fun, too.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2

I Like You the Best

I Like You the Best

by Carol Thompson

Summary: Dolly the pig and Jack Rabbit are best friends, even after they have a fight.

This is a sweet story that is great for discussing that sometimes friends fight and need a little time to “cool off” before making up.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!
by Jon Scieszka

Summary: The wolf gives his own version of what really happened when he tangled with the three little pigs.

This was one of my favorite books when I was a child. This books is a good opening to a lesson on points of view and how there are two sides to every story. With a more mature audience, an adult reader could point out that in the book one story is told by “The Daily Wolf” and the other by “The Daily Pig”. This could spark a discussion of examples in the media in which two different sources portray one event very differently.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends The Three Pigs

The Three Pigs

by David Wiesner

Summary: The three pigs escape the wolf by going into another world where they meet the cat and the fiddle, the cow that jumped over then moon, and a dragon.

This is a superb fractured fairytale. I recommend it to anyone who likes fairytales told in a new way. This book can also be used to encourage students to create work inspired by other works.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Little Pink Pup

Little Pink Pup

by Johanna Kerby

Pink, a piglet who is the runt of the litter, is adopted by Tink, a dachshund who is nursing a litter of her own, and Pink is raised in the house along with the puppies.

Interspecies friendships are one of the most amazing concepts to me in life. Photographs of such friends make me say, “aww” no matter where I am. The author dedicated the book “to all the children who think that they are different from the rest of their families. Just remember your family loves you just the way you are.” Without this dedication, I would not have realized how appropriate this book is to use for children who have immediate family in more than one location. If you enjoy this book, I recommend the Owen and Mzee books and Tarra and Bella.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3

Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends Pigs to the Rescue

Pigs to the Rescue 

by John Himmelman

Summary: All week long the pigs help out around the farm in unexpected ways.

This is an adorable book. I recommend it to children interested in farm animals. A discussion about good intentions and asking if someone needs help before helping is appropriate.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 1