Tag Archives: pigs

Astro-pigs 1,2,3! by Michael Lawrence (Book Review)

Three bored pigs dream big when they look to the night sky! How far can these Astro-pig’s imaginations take them?
Astro-pigs 1,2,3! is an adventure story exploring the value of imagination and dreaming big. Bright colorful illustrations and a rhyming text take children along on an adventure to the moon, and back.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Parents can relate to kids complaining that they are bored and wishing for something fun to do. The three bored (not so little) pigs featured in this brightly colored story lay in a patch of mud, wishing they were Astro-pigs. With thoughts of space travel in their heads, they slept, dreaming about out-of-this-world adventures. And, when the piggies opened their eyes, they were suited up and ready to blast off. 

Like in real life, young readers will count from 10 to 1 as the rocket’s inhabitants prepare for departure. The audience will see the three oinkers tethered outside the rocket as they float about in space. Encourage your children or class to jump and bounce as if they are on the moon with the space pigs. Continue the imaginative pretend play as you drive a lunar rover over the rocky terrain of the moon. 

Astro-pigs 1,2,3! is an interactive, fun-filled storybook that encourages pretend play. Its rhyming words would be ideal for beginning readers. Out of every rhyming pair, I found one page where the rhyming word choice missed the mark: farm and warm. They are spelled nearly the same, but their end sounds do not rhyme. Unfortunately, I had to ding the book’s score for the rhyming error. 

Families and classrooms will love watching the three pigs suit up and explore space. This cute story encourages participation using numbers on more than one occasion. Whether your child knows only numbers 1, 2, and 3 or 1 through 10, they’ll love becoming a part of the adventure.  

I recommend sharing this Astro-pigs 1,2,3! with your family or classroom. The bold, colorful images should capture your baby’s eye. Toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary students will also love the illustrations. It would also make a phenomenal choice in reading material for beginning and advanced readers. 

Grab your copy today!

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:  

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Meet the Author

Early Childhood Educator with 30 plus years in the field of early education. Self-published first picture/storybook in 2006, 10 titles released to date. I get kids. I know what works in a story and what might not. Doesn’t mean I always get it right but my track record has been pretty good so far:)

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Three Little Pigs and The Good Wolf by Avery Smart (Book Review)

In this charming retelling of the classic tale, “The Three Little Pigs and The Good Wolf” the author weaves a delightful narrative filled with whimsy, humor, and unexpected twists. The three little pigs, each with their distinct personalities, set out to build their homes, unaware of the lurking danger posed by the big ‘bad’ wolf.

As the story unfolds, readers are treated to a heartwarming journey of friendship, resilience, and the realization that sometimes, appearances can be deceiving. The author infuses the narrative with valuable life lessons, emphasizing the importance of not judging others based on preconceived notions. The unexpected alliance between the pigs and the wolf adds a unique and refreshing twist to the familiar fable, making this book a captivating read.

The storytelling is complemented by vibrant illustrations that bring the characters and their world to life. The author’s vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue capture the imagination, making it an ideal bedtime or classroom read. Beyond the surface-level narrative, the book encourages readers to reflect on themes of empathy, kindness, and the potential for unlikely friendships. It’s a must-read for those seeking a fresh perspective on a beloved classic.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Most of us know the classic children’s story The Three Little Pigs. In it, the wolf intentionally blows down the piglets’ homes made of straw and sticks and attempts to knock down the brick house as well. The famous wolf is labeled a villain for good reason. Readers will be introduced to a more thoughtful animal in Three Little Pigs and The Good Wolf. Children will discover this wolf is a sweet, caring canine, not a scary beast. 

This story contains some elements that the original fable possessed. Three pigs do go off to build their homes from the same materials found in the famed edition. A wolf goes to each home and asks to come inside. However, this wolf didn’t huff, puff, and knock down their homes with sinister intentions. He did not want to make them his late-night snack. Yes, he accidentally dismantled the straw and stick home. He tried to extinguish a fire, not cause the straw structure to fall. The stick home tumbled down, too, but again, the wolf didn’t have food on the brain. No, he had an important story and item to share! 

The three little pigs judged the wolf by his outward appearance. They reacted based on old fairytales and didn’t think twice about giving the wolf the benefit of the doubt. They were filled with shame once they realized the error in their ways. This was not an angry, hungry beast wanting to satisfy his hunger; it was just a friendly animal trying to do the right thing. The wolf found something that didn’t belong to him and wanted to return it to its rightful owner: the three pigs’ grandma. 

This story teaches valuable lessons. One, don’t judge a book by its cover. Second, friends come in all sizes, colors, and forms. Lastly, don’t be quick to dismiss someone. Listen and be kind. 

The artwork was out of this world! I can’t rave enough about it. The artist did a masterful job updating the piggies’ look from the famed story we’ve grown accustomed to. I loved how expressive their faces became, especially when the wolf came knockin’, or the oinkers went a runnin’. The artist didn’t stop with the three little pigs; they painted many emotions on the wolf’s face, showing a softer and friendlier side of the famous, menacing, canine breed. While I loved the illustrator’s skill, the text sometimes became muddled. On occasion, the background overpowered the text in the foreground. Despite that, I highly recommend sharing this story with your family or class!  

Amazon’s recommended reading age is baby-5 years. I would change that scale to 2-6 year olds. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

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Meet the Author

Avery Smart, a vibrant author who resides in the heart of the lively family chaos with her three energetic kids. Nestled in the midst of parenting, she channels her passion for nurturing well-mannered children into delightful tales.

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