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Gritch the Witch #1
Piggie Pie
Gritch the Witch is grouchy, grumpy, and very hungry. The only thing that could make her happy is something extra special for lunch, and that is: Piggie Pie! Gritch zooms off on her broomstick to find eight plump piggies -- where else? -- on Old MacDonald's Farm. Cleverly disguised pigs impersonate ducks, chickens, a cow, and Old MacDonald himself, as this uproarious, quick-paced story builds to an ironically surprising conclusion. Wacky, hip, and illustrated with bold, bright paintings, "Piggie Pie" adds a new twist to an old fairy-tale scene.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
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616 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
August 29, 2019
One of my favourite picture books ever to read aloud! Extremely funny with hints of familiar songs and stories that readers with prior knowledge find delightful! Illustrations are hilarious! Highly recommend for all ages!
October 21, 2016
My Students LOVED this book!! It went to the tune of Old McDonald :)
October 14, 2018
When Gritch the Witch wakes up one day, she is simply famished, and only Piggie Pie will do! Unfortunately, she has no little pink piggies on hand. Turning (naturally) to the yellow pages, Gritch discovers a listing for Old MacDonald's Farm, and sets off immediately. But her eager "declaration of war" - she writes "Surrender Piggies!" in the sky with her broom - alerts her porcine prey, who turn out to be a little too clever for her...
Piggie Pie! is the second book by Margie Palatini that I have tried, following upon her Aesopic adaptation, Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes , and it confirms my initial impression that here is a picture-book author whose sense of humor I can really appreciate! With an exuberantly villainous witch - brilliantly depicted in Howard Fine's pastel illustrations - an amusing turning of the tables by some very smart pigs, and a rather sharp ending involving a Wolf, there is much here to entertain the young reader/listener. The refrain - a reworking of the traditional children's song, Old MacDonald - makes this one an excellent read-aloud selection!
Piggie Pie! is the second book by Margie Palatini that I have tried, following upon her Aesopic adaptation, Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes , and it confirms my initial impression that here is a picture-book author whose sense of humor I can really appreciate! With an exuberantly villainous witch - brilliantly depicted in Howard Fine's pastel illustrations - an amusing turning of the tables by some very smart pigs, and a rather sharp ending involving a Wolf, there is much here to entertain the young reader/listener. The refrain - a reworking of the traditional children's song, Old MacDonald - makes this one an excellent read-aloud selection!
August 25, 2012
Piggie Pie by:Margie Palatini, is a fantastic childrens book and the way it ends is just straight up funny!!!:) With the witch walking off hand in hand with the wolf each thinking of ways to eat each other! And how clever are those pigs!!!!!
April 25, 2013
Oh, cute enough, I suppose. My niece checked this out and thought her brother would like it. Both kids giggled several times. I thought it was moderately clever, but found it a little annoying to read. Probably just me, though. My witch voice ended up being a little harsh on my throat, and she has a lot of lines!
October 23, 2021
Piggie Pie relies on intertextualuality to tell the story of Gritch the Witch and her quest to get her hands on some "piggies" so that she can make "piggie pie". On opening four we find an ad for "Old MacDonald's Farm" that instructs Gritch to call "EI-EI-O" to get in touch with Old MacDonald. This ad also gives the location of the farm as being "over the river and through the woods". Margie Palatini is asking the reader to make connections to familiar children's songs in order to add to the humor and the plot of the story.
Part of the fun of this book is that the reader is let in on how the pigs are going to evade Gritch. On opening 6, readers get to view a double page spread illustration of the pigs putting on various farm animal costumes inside of the barn.
Palatini also uses familiar lyrics from the song "Old MacDonald" as Gritch encounters pigs in disguise throughout the book. Her first encounter is with the pigs dressed as ducks. As she talks to one of the "ducks" she finds that "the duck quack-quacked here. It quack-quacked there. Here it quacked. There it quacked. Everywhere it quack-quacked," before it finally tells her that there are "no piggies". This interaction is repeated as Gritch encounters pigs dressed as different farm animals.
Palatini continues to use intertextuality as we encounter a wolf on opening 14. The wolf is obviously injured and tells the witch to forget about the pigs. He goes on to tell Gritch that he's "been chasing three little pigs for days". This statement helps readers to connect with the story of The Three Little Pigs and once again adds to the humor of the story.
Part of the fun of this book is that the reader is let in on how the pigs are going to evade Gritch. On opening 6, readers get to view a double page spread illustration of the pigs putting on various farm animal costumes inside of the barn.
Palatini also uses familiar lyrics from the song "Old MacDonald" as Gritch encounters pigs in disguise throughout the book. Her first encounter is with the pigs dressed as ducks. As she talks to one of the "ducks" she finds that "the duck quack-quacked here. It quack-quacked there. Here it quacked. There it quacked. Everywhere it quack-quacked," before it finally tells her that there are "no piggies". This interaction is repeated as Gritch encounters pigs dressed as different farm animals.
Palatini continues to use intertextuality as we encounter a wolf on opening 14. The wolf is obviously injured and tells the witch to forget about the pigs. He goes on to tell Gritch that he's "been chasing three little pigs for days". This statement helps readers to connect with the story of The Three Little Pigs and once again adds to the humor of the story.
October 27, 2018
Gritch the witch loves pie and not just any pie...piggie pie! Piggies aren't going to just hop in the pot however, and thus begins a hilarious tale of a quest to find dinner. Featuring some great illustrations, this book has twists and turns galore. Savvy readers will also like that it riffs on many time-honored fairy tales and stories. It is a slightly longer read than the average picture book and since the main character is a mean old witch she doesn't hesitate to call people names but this is still a fun little read.
Find Piggie Pie! at the Westminster Public Library!
Find Piggie Pie! at the Westminster Public Library!
November 6, 2019
Every since the movie Spirited Away, I've always found the concept of a witch wanting to eat pigs very creepy indeed. The witch in this book is hoodwinked by the animals at Old MacDonald's farm. The book is a bit too wordy for the tale but it's a fun read all the same.
July 29, 2017
Wonderful illustrations. Awesome blend of different stories. I really enjoyed the narration! This was a great read and a wonderful book that I'll share with my students this coming school year!
January 2, 2025
A cute and funny book! Love the illustrations!
October 16, 2020
This was another really great one from my childhood. My little sister and I loved this book.
November 2, 2011
A not-so-clever witch desperately wants to make her favourite dish, but must first locate some piggies to put in the pie. Sadly, she heads over to Old MacDonald's farm which is inhabited only by clever fairytale pigs who outwit her.
The twist at the end is amusing for older primary children but goes over the heads of most kindergarteners.
The twist at the end is amusing for older primary children but goes over the heads of most kindergarteners.
January 4, 2010
I don't find the art very...attractive?...but there are some good details. More importantly, I love the ties to the "Old MacDonald had a farm" song and then to The Three Little Pigs. Definitely a story that requires both words and art to make sense.
October 27, 2015
I really like this book! It is funny to see how easily it is to trick the witch.
March 6, 2017
This will make an excellent Halloween puppet show script
October 28, 2008
sick, twisted, hysterical!
November 27, 2021
Piggie Pie by Margie Palatini is a children's story that is creative, funny, and entertaining all around. This story follows a witch named Gritch who is very hungry. Upon arrival to old MacDonald's farm, we come across the farmers piggies. These little piggies are aware of what Gritch the witch is visiting the farm for and use every costume tactic they can think of to avoid capture and slaughter by Gritch the witch. This goes on and on throughout the book but in a very humorous manner. Before she becomes aware of their scheme a wolf comes into the picture and informs the witch that the pigs are too tricky and that he too is starving. The witch and wolf seem to take a liking for each other and have plans for one another that deserves a chapter to itself or at least a scene. Also, the text and illustrations are so in sync that the book really comes to life before you. Even I was entertained by the story and wanted to see how it would end. As a fifth grade teacher, I look forward to sharing this book and its tale with my students because it combines all the fairytale elements that they know and love. I would combine this version with the other wolf and pig books like "The Three Little Pigs" or "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!" and have students compare and contrast how they are alike and different along with the author's intent. Overall, I would have to say that "Piggie Pie!" was a great book and I would recommend it for any age group.
November 28, 2021
Piggie Pie! is a wonderful book that can be used with any elementary grade level. The lower-level students (PK-2) will love the illustrations and the repetitive nature of the book. Upper-level students (3-5) will love the pigs' cleverness as they try to fool Gritch, the witch. Students and teachers will find themselves laughing as they read this book from cover to cover.
The illustrations are bold and are sure to catch the eye. Adults will love the addition of the yellow pages and the phone company jingle throwback (let your fingers do the walking). There is also a throwback to the Wizard of Oz sprinkled into the story. Be on the lookout for a guest appearance by another famous character who has tried to match wits with the pigs. His appearance is a hilarious addition and adds quite a bit to the story.
Margie Palatini wields descriptive language like a master. This book can easily be used as a mentor text for descriptive language for older students. There is also a great deal of excellent vocabulary - passel and cackle are just two words that come to mind. The ending, while satisfying, is also left open. Students can continue writing the story where it left off, adding their spin to this must-read story. I highly recommend adding this one to your list of classroom read-alouds.
The illustrations are bold and are sure to catch the eye. Adults will love the addition of the yellow pages and the phone company jingle throwback (let your fingers do the walking). There is also a throwback to the Wizard of Oz sprinkled into the story. Be on the lookout for a guest appearance by another famous character who has tried to match wits with the pigs. His appearance is a hilarious addition and adds quite a bit to the story.
Margie Palatini wields descriptive language like a master. This book can easily be used as a mentor text for descriptive language for older students. There is also a great deal of excellent vocabulary - passel and cackle are just two words that come to mind. The ending, while satisfying, is also left open. Students can continue writing the story where it left off, adding their spin to this must-read story. I highly recommend adding this one to your list of classroom read-alouds.
April 16, 2018
This is a children’s book that has a humorous story line and matching illustrations. The story begins with Gritch the Witch wanting to make Piggie Pie. She goes to Old Macdonald’s farm and attempts to take the pigs. The story creates animal characters who outsmart the witch by disguising the pigs as other animals. Through out the story the reader sees the pigs in disguise as they continue trick the witch. The ending of the story leaves the animals to be victorious and the witch leaves with no piggies but turns her interest into a wolf for dinner plans. This book is a combination of vibrant illustrations and context. The story is easy to read using bold print words and enlarged print allowing the reader to know when the text is supposed to be read with inflection. This book may not appeal to some students who have any sensitivities to a scary witch or to the concept of her eating the pigs. It does show perseverance of the animals to save the pigs. It can be used as a class read aloud or for students to individually read.
November 28, 2021
I love using this book in my classroom every year. My students are engaged throughout the entire book, and I notice fun little extras the author and illustrator added each time I read it. The way the author and the illustrator worked together to bring this story to life is almost as fun as just reading it. The illustrations add to the imagery that the author paints with her works. I have even used this book in writing, talking about the different crafts that the author used to make this book more exciting. The fun ending leads to a great writing assignment that can add to the fun in a classroom. The imagination that comes from my students when adding a new ending is fun to read, even my reluctant writers are fully engaged in this writing assignment. This book is great for all ages, it brings out the kid in all of us as we root for the pigs. The possible uses in the classroom are endless.
April 1, 2020
The first adventure of a new magical lady in kids fiction: Miss Gritch the Witch, who hungers for piggies to put into her tasty piggy pie! Finding none other than Old MacDonald's Farm in the Yellow pages, she heads there to get her oink-oinks here and her oink-oinks there! Only the piggies are in hiding, disguised as horses, cows and eventually farmer MacDonald! Finally a lone Wolfie warns Ms Gritch that chasing piggies ain't worth a hogshead of trouble. He knows cos previously he ran into three piggies who ran him amok and got him huffin and puffin...and you know the rest. Great start to a great looking series.
Four stars
She's a mean one, Missy Gritch!!!
Four stars
She's a mean one, Missy Gritch!!!
June 19, 2018
This is one of those books that both of my children *LOVED* when they were little.
It was so beloved that our paperback copy fell apart and as I started rereading and noting our favorite kids books here at goodreads, I immediately remembered that this one was missing..
So, I bought a beautiful brand new hardcover, and the minute I opened the envelope and pulled it out? Both of my kids dove for it, and each took a stroll down memory lane.
I can think of no higher honor for a children's book than that-- years later a child remembering their love for it and reading it again.
October 26, 2020
This was a fun book about pigs dressing up like other farm animals to avoid being eaten by the witch. Cute and clever, with fun illustrations. Also a nice Wizard of Oz reference when the Witch forms a cloud message "Surrender Piggies" I gave it only two stars though because in the end the Witch invites the wolf for dinner (obviously to eat him) and he accepts (obviously to eat her) and that is accompanied by illustrations of the two as meals. Which in and of itself isn't horribly offensive, but given the tone of the rest of the book, is pretty aggressive.
May 24, 2021
The perfect picture book, combining a witch, a recipe, a version of the Old MacDonald's Farm song, and even the wolf from the three little pigs. My daughter, wife, and I all loved this book from the story to the illustrations.
The witch has a strong, unforgettable character voice.
The pigs are hilarious, as are the illustrations.
The incorporation of Old MacDonald is fun to read.
The repetition makes this book fun to listen to.
The ending is the best way to end this story.
In search of a picture book, start and end here!
The witch has a strong, unforgettable character voice.
The pigs are hilarious, as are the illustrations.
The incorporation of Old MacDonald is fun to read.
The repetition makes this book fun to listen to.
The ending is the best way to end this story.
In search of a picture book, start and end here!
September 27, 2022
"Gritch the witch woke up grouchy, grumpy, and very hungry. Her belly grumbled for something special." PIGGIE PIE! And so begins this cleverly written, full of pun fun adventure enlivened even further by hilarious illustrations created by Howard Fine. My personal favorite nod to witches who came before is the "Surrender Piggies" skywriting done by Gritch over Old MacDonald's farm. Young ones will enjoy this frolic through fractured fairy tale land and will be giggling with delight when they spot the ingeniously disguised piggies in the pictures.
November 1, 2022
This is a good book to read to kids around Halloween. The illustrations are dated but still fun and bring the story to life with 3D images. This book alludes to old stories such as Wizard of Oz, Old McDonald's Farm, and the Big Bad Wolf. Gritch the witch wants to make piggie pie and the pigs dress up as different animals to trick the witch, so she will not turn them into piggie pie. Overall, this is a good fiction book to read aloud to children, since the story is easy to imagine and understand the jokes with help from an adult.
June 6, 2018
This book includes repetition of parts of Old MacDonald Has a Farm, which will be delightful to young listener/readers. Some eagle-eyed students will love discovering the humor as the piggies hide from the witch who wishes to cook them. However, the stylistic illustrations maybe too much for some young children. To me, there is just something "creepy" about them. This book will surely find its following.
October 3, 2018
When Gritch the Witch is hungry for a truly special dish, only one thing is on her mind: Piggie Pie. BUT, she can't make it without any piggies! So she sets off to Old MacDonald's farm. She finds cows, ducks, chickens, and a farmer, but no piggies! What will she do about lunch? The results may surprise you. A delightful story with a sprinkling of recognizable bits from classic tales, this book is sure to entertain readers of all ages.
August 19, 2019
Gritch the witch wakes up in the mood for something special to eat — Piggie Pie. But she has no piggies in the pantry so he must go in search of pork. When she shows up on old MacDonald’s farm, the pigs are wise to her and disguise themselves.
Includes references from The Wizard of Oz, The Three Little Pigs and, of course, Old MacDonald.
A classic read aloud with great illustrations and clever text.
Includes references from The Wizard of Oz, The Three Little Pigs and, of course, Old MacDonald.
A classic read aloud with great illustrations and clever text.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews