Elephant and Piggie: chock full of fun and friendship
/“Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.”
One of our Christmas traditions is receiving a book on Christmas Eve. It’s always wonderful to spend the evening together, looking at each others books then snuggling into bed to read. Last year Kim gave everyone in the family an Elephant and Piggie book, and they became a fast and lasting favourite. We have read them so much that 4 year old Angus has them all memorised.
The Elephant and Piggie books are by Mo Williams (need I say more?) and are about a pig and elephant who are best friends. In classic Mo Williams style they are extremely funny, and will engage both children and adults in the humorous, quirky and relatable escapades.
There are 25 books in the collection and some of our favourites are:
Much like his fantastic Pigeon books the illustrations are simple but also complex. Most pages don’t have much more than Elephant and Piggie on them, but the pictures tell so much of the story - I never knew a pig could have so many facial expressions, which had led to many conversations on what the characters may be thinking or feeling.
Although each story is extremely funny, and primarily about friendship, they also cover other important concepts such as trust, acceptance, confidence, anxiety and resilience.
They are wonderful books for snuggling downs and laughing together in any situation, making them the go to comfort books for Ivy and Angus when they are tired, cranky, worried or overwhelmed. I think their charm comes from the overall joyful feel of the books, and the reassurance that comes through shared connection.
All 25 are brilliant, and I really recommend having more than one (we just splurged on the box set), as they become funnier the more you read, and the more you read the more you will want to read.
By Mo Williams - Hyperion Books For Children Ages 2 - 8 / funny! + friendship
