SKY PIG

One little piggie dreams of flying…can it really happen?

One windy day, Ollie the pig watches leaves float on the breeze. Flapping his trotters in the air, he gets his human friend Jack to tie branches to his back. They go to the top of the hill, and Ollie runs down at top speed. He leaps into the air and flies…for a second before crashing. The next day Ollie sees kites in the sky and takes feed sacks, garden stakes, and twine to Jack. Jack makes him a kite/parachute. Back to the hill they go. He runs, he jumps, and “A strong breeze caught the kite at once. / I’m flying! / I’m flying, / I’m… // OOOOOOMPH! / PLOP!” Geese in the sky inspire an attempt with homemade feathered wings. An umbrella caught in a storm gives rise to an attempt to mimic Mary Poppins. The result never changes. Poor Ollie still dreams of flying. Good thing he has a friend like Jack to make him a hot air balloon! Award-winning Canadian author Coates spins a porcine tale of dreams, perseverance, and friendship. Del Rizzo’s colorful illustrations, made with Plasticine, polymer clay, and “other doodads,” are a good match, although at times they struggle with perspective, causing the characters and landscapes alike to look squashed. Ollie and light-skinned Jack are expressive, though, and they have a fey appeal.

Piggie pipe dreams come to life in this agreeable book.