Esther, Olivia, Wilbur, and Other Perfect Piggies in Books for Kids

Perfect Piggies, by Sandra Boynton
When my kids were younger, Sandra Boynton was an absolute favorite. Simple stories, fun characters, and board books the perfect size (and durability) for little hands. This book is based on a song by the same name from Rhinoceros Tap: 15 Seriously Silly Songs. It celebrates swine in their floppy eared, curly-tailed fabulousness. In fact, it celebrates the fabulousness in each and every one of us, and the basic needs we all have for food, shelter, and a whole lot of love. (Ages 0-4)

Little Oink, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace
This book (and its companions, Little Hoot and Little Pea) has been read into tatters at our house. Little Oink is your typical pig. He loves playing with his friends, going to school, and scrounging for truffles. There’s just one thing Little Oink does not like…making a “mess, mess, mess.” Which, as you can imagine, is slightly problematic if you’re a pig. Full of Rosenthal’s trademark wit, this is a book that even parents won’t mind reading over and over again. (Ages 0-4)

Olivia, by Ian Falconer
Olivia is so human that it’s easy to forget she’s a pig. Instead, it’s easy to see her as a typical preschooler. From the moment she wakes, to the moment she collapses in bed at the end of the day, Olivia is filled with song, dance, imagination, and spunk. When bedtime comes, much to the relief of her exhausted parents, Olivia pulls yet another preschool-age tactic…arriving in bed with a pile of books (not that that has ever happened at our house). (Ages 3-5)

Elephant and Piggie: Waiting Is Not Easy, by Mo Willems
If your early reader has not yet met Piggie and Gerald, run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore or library. My personal favorite is Waiting is Not Easy, but any of the books in this series are a good starting point. And once you’ve read one, you’ll have to read them all. Fun-loving Piggie and the ever-cautious elephant Gerald are perfect complements to each other. The writing is lively and laugh-out-loud funny, while still inserting life lessons about sharing, forgiveness, friendship, and patience. (Ages 4-8)

The True Adventures of Esther the Wonder Pig, by Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter, Caprice Crane, and Cori Doerrfeld
Esther–all 650lbs of her– is not new to the spotlight. She has 1.5 million Facebook and Instagram followers. Originally thought to be a mini-pig by her owners (authors Jenkins and Walter), Esther quickly grows…and…grows…and grows. Her curiosity grows, too. She loves to explore the garden, the fish pond, and the kitchen cabinets. Though she’s a little bumbling, often creating a bit of chaos in her wake, but she just looks up at her dads with those puppy…er…piggy eyes, and all is forgiven. Eventually, it’s obvious that Esther is going to need more space, prompting a move to the country and the establishment of Happily Ever Esther Animal Sanctuary. Readers can read more about the sanctuary and the real-life Esther in added material at the back of the book. (Ages 4-8)

The Three Little Javelinas, by Susan Lowell and Jim Harris
This recognizable retelling of The Three Little Pigs features wild pigs common to the Southwest. Rather than building their homes of straw, sticks, or brick, these pigs use tumbleweed, saguaro ribs, and adobe. Instead of a wolf huffing and puffing, this story features a coyote. Full of amusing illustrations and regional references, this is a fun alternative to the traditional telling. (Ages 4-8)

The Three Ninja Pigs, by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat
Rhyme-master Schwartz and 2015 Caldecott Medal winner Santat present this story of three pigs who have had it with the bullying wolf. Who does he think he is, anyway? The first brother pig signs up for aikido lessons, the second jujitsu. But it’s the third pig, the sister, whose karate moves save the day. A hit for ninja fans everywhere! (Ages 4-8)

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
Any book written and illustrated by this duo is going to be a hit with kids young and old (also check out The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales). Narrated by A. Wolf, this version of The Three Little Pigs offers things from the perspective of the big, bad wolf, who swears that all he was really after was a little cup of sugar. From there, he claims, things have been horribly misinterpreted. So passionate is A. Wolf’s testimony that readers will find themselves sympathetic to his situation, and wondering if they truly have been led astray by the original story. (Ages 5-8)

Mercy Watson to the Rescue, by Kate Dicamillo and Chris Van Dusen
For kids branching into the world of early chapter books, there’s the Mercy Watson series. Mercy is the beloved pet of Mr. and Mrs. Watson. But Mercy doesn’t live in a barn, oh no. Mercy lives in the Watson house, sleeps in the Watson bed, and enjoys her favorite indulgence, buttered toast. Despite her pampered existence, Mercy is still a pig, a pig who often finds herself in mischief. Giggle-inducing text, outlandish characters, and Van Dusen’s hilarious illustrations make this a great bridge from picture to chapter books. (Ages 6-9)

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins, by R. A. Spratt and Dan Santat
Mr. Green needs a nanny for his three children. In an attempt to save a penny or two, he sticks a “Nanny Wanted” sign in his front window, and on his doorstep arrives Nanny Piggins, a former circus pig. A day with Nanny Piggins is never boring, and although her methods may be unconventional, she proves to be surprisingly helpful. Then Mr. Green’s sister arrives to take over. Nanny Piggins may be out of a job, unless the Green children, with the help of Boris the Bear, can come up with a plan to keep Nanny with them. (Ages 8-12)

Charlotte’s Web, by E. B. White
No list of favorite literary pigs would be complete without Wilbur. For more than sixty years, readers have been falling in love with Fern, Wilbur, Charlotte the spider, and even Templeton the rat. White’s barnyard characters are so complex, and so real, that Charlotte’s fate brings us to tears, as does Wilbur’s, staying with us for years (generations!) after we turn the last page. Now that’s “some pig”! (Ages 8-12)