Pippin the Christmas Pig. Jean Little. Illustrated by Werner Zimmermann. Markham, ON: Northwinds Press/Scholastic Canada, 2003. 32 pp., cloth, $19.99. ISBN 0-7791-1420-5. Subject Headings: Christmas stories, Canadian (English). Preschool-grade 5 / Ages 3-10. Review by Julie Hunt. **** /4

Pippin is downhearted when she hears the Christmas story from the other animals in the barn. Each brags about the contributions his ancestors made to comfort baby Jesus. Pippin stamps her hoof and demands to know what the pigs did. But the other animals merely scoff at her and tell her that pigs were not even worthy of being in the holy stable. Sad and discouraged, Pippin creeps out the barn door. When no one calls her back, she is determined to find a place where "pigs matter but Christmas doesn't." Pippin forces herself along through a bitter snowstorm, worrying she will die but vowing never to return to the barn. As she reaches the road, however, she discovers a woman staggering through the snow with a little girl in her arms. Forgetting her own worries, Pippin leads the grateful mother back to the warm barn.

Then all the animals stared at Pippin.

"Who is this woman?" snapped Curly.

"Pippin, we can't take in some homeless nobody," Noddy added.

"My very-great-" Bess began.

"We'll need milk," said Pippin. We'll need your old blanket, Noddy. We'll need lots of lullabies. Your VERY-GREAT-grandparents aren't here. You must help this baby yourselves."

"But that's not a special baby," Noddy protested.

"Of course she is," said Pippin. "All babies are special."

Noddy gazed into the small sleeping face."You are right," he said."I'd forgotten."

     When the farmer and his wife come to feed the animals, they are delighted to see the sleeping mother and child. Pippin thanks the animals for their gifts, and they help her to see what she has brought them as well:

"You gave us our very own Christmas. You gave us the chance to give ourselves instead of boasting about our grandparents. Don't you see that that was the best gift of all?"

"It took a runty pig," laughed Noddy, "to teach us what Christmas is."

     Jean Little creates a wonderful character in Pippin. Because the story is told in third person narrative, the reader can fully appreciate Pippin's range of emotions. Little's rich imagery in her text - "the tips of Pippin's ears went very pink" and "the curl went out of Pippin's tail" - is complemented beautifully by the illustrations of Werner Zimmermann. In watercolour and pencil, Zimmermann perfectly captures the haughty sheep and the downtrodden pig. As well, the mood of the story is strengthened by the sharply contrasting blue cold of the storm and the warm rich tones inside the barn.

     This delightful Christmas story conveys the message of charity and valuing others. Pippin the Christmas Pig is suitable for independent reading and sharing aloud.

Highly Recommended.

Julie Hunt is a teacher-librarian in West Vancouver, BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright � the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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