Review - Garth Pig and the Icecream Lady

Garth Pig and the Icecream Lady (The Pig Family)
by Mary Rayner
Date: 1977
Publisher: Piccolo Picture Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library

Garth Pig is trapped in Lupino's Icecream truck by an icecream lady who is no lady, and is rescued by his nine brothers and sisters.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I think this is probably my favourite book about the Pig family. It's actually as old as I am! As such, it's a little bit dated in places (and slightly politically incorrect in others). But the basic premise is still sound, and it's a fun story in which the Pig siblings must once again outwit the wily wolf.

It's baffling that nobody clues in about the wolf until it's too late. There are so many clues! She's hairy, for one thing. She drives a Volfswagon truck. Her business is called Lupino's Icecreams. Hello?! Wolf!

But she's not the sharpest wolf, either, and the Pig siblings (usually led by Sorrel, the eldest) are able to come out on top.

This book clearly shows that it's not a good idea to get into a stranger's van, and kids will probably spot the danger even before Garth steps all the way inside. I also like the fact that the piglets still pay for their ice cream; just because the person selling it is a homicidal maniac doesn't mean it's okay to be a thief.

One day, I hope I can find the rest of the books about these pigs and read them, too. For now, though, I've exhausted Open Library's collection. It's been a fun day of reading and reminiscing with this porcine family unit!

Quotable moment:

"Quick," said William. "Stand in a circle everyone," and he began to count round:

Ham, bacon, pork chop,
Out you must hop.

Mrs. Pig held up her trotters in horror and turned away her eyes. "Goodness me, where do they pick up such words? I am sure they have never heard them in this house."

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.5 out of 5