Pig Scramble

by Jessica Kinney, Sarah S. Brannen

Clarence has always felt very small compared to his two big brothers. He just can't seem to find his place on the family farm. But advice from his inventive uncle helps him win the county fair's pig scramble and gain some confidence in the process. Told in a true storytelling fashion and accompanied by illustrations of a pig every kid will want to take home, The Pig Scramble is perfect for read-aloud story times or for newly independent readers.

Genres: Picture Books

36 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Danielle Mootz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I kinda loved this book. Maybe it's because we're from a relatively small town surrounded by amazing agriculture but this story tickled us. My son wants to know where you can get in on the pig scramble.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute cutest little piggies!!!

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it could’ve been done just as well with not as many words. But it was still a really cute story.

[Rachel Stine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The “uncle” has a portrait of a pig he helped to slaughter and eat in his house. that’s dark

[Isabella · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Pig Scramble—picture book
I’m not sure why exactly I was so repelled by this book but I really had a hard time seeing its charm! I thought that the story in and of itself wasn’t a particularly notable one—but could have been engaging were it told better. But, having been written the way it was, I
wasn’t really impressed/drawn in at all. The illustrations I also found to be a really bizarre choice for a children’s book—I found them to be so flat, pallid, and lifeless. The kids didn’t look to me like kids at all! I’m curious about other people’s impressions though—maybe I just didn’t get it…

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young boy, Clarence, with two older brothers feels he can never live up to them. He'll always be the smallest and won't ever be able to do as many things as them. Then comes the pig scrambe at the county fair. His brothers are too old this year and never caught a pig. Uncle Leon gives Clarence some special advice that just might work.

Good, but not especially moving. Best for communities that are involved in county or state fairs. For young elementary students.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

A terrific idea for a story is spoiled by awkward, herky-jerky prose with minimal kid appeal and stiff illustrations. This is the sort of story that E.B.White and Garth Williams would have told beautifully, but neither author nor illustrator here is anywhere near that standard. Really, really, disappointing.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, full disclosure: I'm the editor of this book. Nevertheless, it's a lovely children's book, a timeless story about a small boy who just needs some more self-confidence. He finds it in an unexpected place -- the county fair pig scramble.

[Lynn Plourde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story--sweet and slowly told, which I liked. But the illustrations dragged the book down for me--they were too static, people not illustrated well at all, although the illustrator's strength clearly lies in drawing animals.