Little Pig Joins the Band

May 9, 2011
"Sometimes Little Pig didn't like being little, or even being called Little Pig," writes Costello, as his diminutive hero, taking up what readers can assume is his usual position at the distant end of a family procession, vainly attempts to remind his oblivious relations: "My name is Jacob!" Things only get worse when the family puts together an impromptu band from Grandpa's collection of instruments: when Little Pig asks whether there's something smaller to play, like a piccolo, an elder cheerfully remarks, "There's a jar in the fridge, behind the olives." But the ensemble gives Little Pig his opening when they prove utterly unable to coordinate their movements: seeing them colliding and collapsed in a pig pile on the floor, Little Pig "knew what the problem wasâthe band needed a leader!" Costello (I Can Help) isn't pioneering new ground with this story of how a family's littlest member asserts his competence, but the combination of lovely and understated text, sly watercolors, and a protagonist who knows in his heart that he's right make the premise feel fresh and funny. Ages 4â7.

July 1, 2011

PreS-Little Pig would like to be called by his given name, Jacob, as he doesn't appreciate the way his nickname is a constant reminder of his diminutive size. One day, while visiting their grandfather, he and his four older siblings come across a box filled with Grandpa's old marching-band paraphernalia. Finding the tuba, trombone, drum, and trumpet too large for him, Little Pig looks around for something smaller, such as a kazoo or harmonica. He can't find anything his size and feels left out of the fun. As he sits watching and listening to his brothers and sisters play the various instruments, he realizes that they don't know the first thing about being a marching band. He retrieves a whistle, baton, and red cap from the box and takes charge of the motley crew. Under his direction, the foursome, plus Grandpa, are soon marching in step and playing a tune together. Being at the head instead of the customary tail end makes him proud, and he realizes that even the littlest among us can make a big impact. The author's appealing ink and watercolor illustrations vary in size and will hold readers' attention as they adeptly convey the piglet's emotional journey.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2011
When his older brothers and sisters get out Grandpa's marching band instruments, Little Pig, who isn't happy about his size or his nickname ("My name is Jacob!"), feels left out. He's not big enough to actually play anything, so he's stuck watching his siblings have all the fun. Costello's (I Can Help, rev. 5/10) well-paced story features a small hero who doesn't let his physical stature stop him from thinking big. The sprightly ink and watercolor illustrations match the upbeat text's tempo and include comic asides to help advance the narrative. As the sidelined Little Pig watches the mayhem ("Aren't you all supposed to be marching together?" "Shouldn't you all be playing the same thing?"), a four-pig pile-up helps him see what the band is missing: a leader. Young readers will likely recognize Little Pig's predicament and give his take-charge solution a big hand. kitty flynn

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)