The Pig on the Hill - Hardcover

Kelly, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1937359395 ISBN 13: 9781937359393

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2013

Synopsis

The pig lives all alone in a house on top of a hill. He's very happy with his quiet life. He has his books, his tidy tidy house and a lovely view. Until one morning he opens the curtains to find a duck has taken up residence on the tiny pinnacle of rock outside his window. Much to the pigs annoyance the excessively friendly duck likes the spot and decides to build a house there. With a swimming pool. And a garden and patio. The duck tries to be friendly. He's very confident and outgoing. It seems he's been everywhere (unlike the pig), done everything; skiing, mountain climbing, parachuting, scuba-diving, even brain surgery. The pig just wants to be left alone. Eventually, after a particularly loud party, the pig shouts at the duck, and the next morning finds a note pinned to the duck's front door. It reads: GONE AWAY. At first the pig is pleased. But gradually realises that his life without the duck is quiet and slightly dull. He comes to miss the duck and regrets rejecting him. One day there is a knock on the door and the pig opens it to find the duck wearing a som- brero and carrying a pinata. He'd only been on holiday in the South. He does it every year. Maybe next year the pig will join him.

About this title

About the Author

John Kelly is a British author and illustrator. His books include The Robot Zoo and Everyday Machines, both of which were shortlisted for the Rhône-Poulenc Junior Prize. He lives in London.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 3–Pig loves the solitary life. He lives on a hill with amazing views. His days are occupied with baking, completing jigsaw puzzles, and reading. Everything is perfect except for a stray hair on his forehead. While looking at his stunning view one day, Pig sees Duck. The newcomer also finds this to be a paradise and builds a home complete with a swimming pool where he holds loud parties that rock into the night, destroying Pig's peace and quiet. Duck invites him to attend, but Pig refuses until the noise becomes so unbearable that he goes to complain. In one scene, Pig is trying to eat dinner and the peas are rolling off the table because of the vibrations from next door. As the days pass, Duck visits and tells Pig about all the places he has been, the things he has done. The two discover they do have some things in common and become friends. When winter comes, there are no parties, but with spring, Duck arrives with gifts. Pig realizes that he was lonely and begins to work on travel plans with Duck. The book includes delightful postcards from their travels. The facial expressions of Pig and Duck show their feelings with amazing accuracy. Pages are full to split in fourths, thirds, and half with appropriate-size print for each page. A solid purchase, perfect for discussion about differences and acceptance.–Janene Corbin, Rosebank Elementary School, Nashville, TNα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1937359395
• ISBN 13: 9781937359393
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 48