A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea

Michael Ian Black. Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. 32 pages.

Pigs are irresistable. That's why they turn up so frequently in children's books. Parades are grand and spectacular affairs. So shouldn't a pig parade be fun?

Black and Hawkes begin this fun picture book with cartoon-like, instrument-playing pigs, colorfully marching across the page amidst fireworks and banners. A turn of the page yanks the reader back to a humorous reality featuring pigs rendered in sophisticated, muted acrylic colors. Pigs who snuffle (described as "walking with your nose"), refuse to wear majorette costumes and only like the kind of floats made from ice cream and root beer, which are only some of the hilarious reasons the author uses to make it "absolutely, completely and totally clear that a pig parade is a terrible idea."

The illustrations of this book work so well with the authoritative, almost academic tone Black uses to recount the inappropriate attributes of pigs in relation to parade success. The little twist at the end will make adults chuckle and young readers laugh out loud.

P.S.: The book designers had fun with the acknowledgement page!