Wednesday 11 September 2013

Picture book review : Pigs Might Surf - Olly Miles & Anna Louise


Way back in 2009 when my blog was still shiny and new, I received a fun "surfing towel" from Tinypop to review. (You can read my review here.) A few months ago - actually I've just checked and it was back before Easter ! - an email arrived out of the blue, asking if I'd like to review a surfing-themed children's book from the same people. Nothing materialised and I forgot all about it, to be honest. Then we had an end-of-summer clearout in the porch, moved lots of big plant pots around and discovered a mysterious package that the postman had obviously conscientiously hidden away out of sight several months before !

Sure enough, it was the aforementioned book, Pigs Might Surf by Olly Miles and Anna Louise with illustrations by Rory Donald.


The fun tale introduces us to Bailie the Corish pig who isn't interested in playing in the mud like all the other piggies, he wants to surf ! He turns his broken pigsty door into a makeshift surfboad and has great fun riding the waves.


Then one day, the farmer mends the door, spoiling his fun. Luckily, his friends the dolphins come to the rescue and find him a new board.


I love the tongue-in-cheek humour in the illustrations - his new board is made from a pork scratchings box !

It's a lovely story about following your dreams, looking after your friends and enjoying surfing (or whatever your passion is) even if you don't fit the mould.

The whole book is written in rhyme, making it great fun to read alound (although the "pondered"/"wondered" rhyme did make me wince !). The illustrations really bring it to life for younger readers and we wee delighted to discover a "spot the difference" activity at the end of the book.

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £4.99

  • Paperback: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Ollypop Books; 1st edition (1 Nov 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0957049803
  • ISBN-13: 978-0957049802
  • Product Dimensions: 29.2 x 20.6 x 1 cm





Other reviews you may be interested in :

Priddy Books The Schoolies Collection review

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