Old Pig - Hardcover

Wild, Margaret

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1743369549 ISBN 13: 9781743369548

Publisher: Murdoch Books

Synopsis

A tender, poignant picture story about how to say goodbye. Celebrating twenty years of this treasured classic from two highly acclaimed picture book makers. Old Pig and Granddaughter have lived together for a long, long time. They share everything, including the chores, until the day when Old Pig does not get up as usual for breakfast. Calmly she pays her bills and puts her affairs in order. Then she takes Granddaughter on a last, long walk - looking and listening, smelling and tasting. Old Pig and Granddaughter say goodbye to each other in the best way they know. A tender story of living and loving, giving and receiving; a glorious celebration of the world.

About this title

About the Author

Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks are acclaimed for their thoughtful, award-winning children's books, which have been published with great success in many countries: Fox and The Dream of the Thylacine. Margaret Wild has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian Literature. Ron Brooks is an acclaimed illustrator of classic picture books. His memoir is Drawn from the Heart.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-7. Loss of a loved one is difficult to deal with no matter what one's age. In this tender tale, Old Pig and her granddaughter share a life doing chores, taking walks, eating their meals together. And Granddaughter is willing to eat her corn and oats every day because Old Pig says, "As long as I'm alive, my dear, you'll eat them up." But one morning Old Pig can't get out of bed. The next day she does manage to get up, but her agenda is clear. She wants to pay her bills and close her savings account so she can give the money to Granddaughter. Then she wants to feast--feast her eyes on the flowers and taste the rain and smell the earth. Back at home, Granddaughter opens the window to let the breeze and the moon in, and then she gets in bed with her grandmother and holds her tight until morning. The final wordless picture shows Granddaughter alone. Beautiful in its simplicity, this captures the essence of a life; and children, even little ones, cannot help but feel the love that infuses it. The soft watercolors are entirely childlike and unpretentious, but Brooks manages to mix the everyday with a beauty that transcends chores and meals. Some children may be misled by the story and think they will always be able to share a final good-bye with those they love. It's up to adults, who know so well that this isn't always true, to make sure children understand that the message is to fill each moment with love. Ilene Cooper

About this edition

• Publisher: Murdoch Books
• ISBN 10: 1743369549
• ISBN 13: 9781743369548
• Binding: Hardcover