Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs

by Betsy Hearne

Eleven-year-old Louise Tolliver lives with her mother and her brother, Willie, in Tollivers' Hollow. Like any brother, Willie gives Louise a hard time, but the trouble really starts when Louise calls him a pig -- and he becomes one.
And that's not all. Louise's father has been missing for seven years, and the locals are starting to wonder about Tollivers' Hollow. It's now up to Louise to use her wishes for good and make right all that's gone wrong. She uses her head, her heart, and a little bit of magic to bring her family back home.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Family

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Betsy Hearne is the author of numerous articles and books, including Choosing Books for Children: A Commonsense Guide, the folktale anthology Beauties and Beasts, fiction for both children and young adults, and picture books—one of which, Seven Brave Women, won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award. The former children's book editor of Booklist and of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, she has reviewed books for almost forty years and contributes regularly to The Horn Book Magazine.

Hearne was the former Director of The Center for Children's Books and a professor emerita in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she taught children's literature and storytelling for many years.

Reviews

[Story enthusiast (●´⌓`●) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Stars, though, were a mystery. Stars were out of her range. it was pretty clear that Louise didn't have a clue about that star. She just had to feel her way along her dark ground of planet Earth and hope for the best." (Ch.20, p. 103)

Louise's wish that her brother, Willie, was a pig 🐽, a wish that she doesn't realize has come true, is a situation that many of us can relate to. Now, as she grapples with the consequences of her wish, we follow Louise and her mom as they navigate the challenges and setbacks that come their way.
This was a reread, but I certainly loved it the first time I read it. The humor in the story, the interesting plot, and the relatable characters made it a delightful read. It resonated with me, reminding me a lot of my relationship with my brother. Overall, I enjoyed this fast-paced book and look forward to finding more hidden gems ☺️ within the middle-grade genre like this one.

[Jillyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a kid. It's heartfelt and well written, and is one I wanted to read again and again.

[Tori I · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just recently finished Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs by: Betsy Hearne. This book is probably oe of the best books I have ever read in my life. Although the ending was probably my favorite part because Louise's - the main character - plan works out technacily perfect. in the beggining of this book Louise turns her little brother, Willie, into a pig and now has to do something to turn him back to a human being. This prosess doesn't work the first time, but the second plan tottaly worked. I can related in many ways to Louise first of all we look exactly alike except she has a middle part, but most of all I wish that my sisters turn into a pig al the time, I am not saying that they accually did, but I always wish that they turn into different animals. This book really diserves five stars because I never wanted to stop reading it. Also Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs is for anyone that likes adventures and little mystery not a lot though. I would love to read this book again because it was outstandingly amazing!

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs is a quick read, made more so by the author's style. She keeps you turning pages with her domino events and unexpected twists. Heavy on dialogue, peopled with caricatures, entwined with elements of classic fairy tales, this story is the perfect remedy for a rain day. I think it would make a superb read-aloud in the classroom. Firmly in the genre of magical realism, the book centers around Louise and her Mama and brother, Willie. They do all right, until the night Willie disappears. Or does he? A stray pig turns up that same evening. When Louise thinks she may have wished disaster on her family, she tries to undo the spell and lands her family in further trouble. Add rival suitors, a stuck-up neighbor, a passel of pigs, and a wishing star, and you have a recipe for comedic chaos.

[Eileen H]

So far this book (wishes, kisses, and pigs) ha sheen the best book yet.

in this book Louise a young farm girl accidentally dose something to turn her brother in to a pig! So she and her mom have to find a way to stop peolpe
from taking a pig to slaughter. Some times I feel like there is nothing I can do just like Louise but this book so far is a fast pace fun book and I can recomend this book.

[Alise · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students in my room LOVE this book.... makes me want to write a screenplay for it and make it the next big Disney Movie.. you see the actors/acrtresses who could play the parts as you read it.. Must read for your own kids or students!

[Elza Kinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Louise makes a careless wish upon the evening star, her brother, Willie, is turned into a pig. This isn't the first sign of troubles at Tollivers' Hollow, and certainly not the last. Out-of-hand magic and conspiring neighbors threaten their chances as Louise and her Mama try to find a spell to make everything go back to the way it was.

Like a younger cousin of Diana Wynne Jones blended together with Natalie Lloyd, Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs is an imaginative blend of fairy tale and southern folktale. The rural setting has a timeless quality, the discourse is full of energy, and the mystery keeps you guessing all the way to the last page. While a tad repetitive at times, I have no doubt adults would fall in love with Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs just as much as the intended age group.

I especially love this story for the bond between Louise and her mother, Clara. These two aren't just mother and daughter, they're best friends. They talk through all their problems together, keep one another steady through adversity, truly listen to one another. I love stories with positive female role models, and Clara Tolliver has risen nearly to the top of my list with Louise close behind.

[Tiffany Wintle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book to my 5 year old boy. We both enjoyed it.
The story has a good message of trying to resolve conflict. The main character is relatable and I appreciated the involvement of the mother to find a solution to the problems. Most other books with children facing opposition, the child takes it on all by themselves and they try to keep it a secret from their family members. Louise goes straight to her mom to bounce ideas and theories off of her, and the mom helps accordingly.
This story has a happy ending, although the epilogue made both of us tear up a little bit.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light, quick read that I might have liked more when I was a kid. I did like seeing Louise deconstruct fairy tales, as I, too, have always wondered, for example, why it was ok for Jack to steal the gold, hen, and harp from the Giant.

[Hilary Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs is a really fun, young adult magical realism novel. I loved that it presents the magic without trying to hard to explain how it works. The story is fun, and the characters are relatable.

[Kaitlyn Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of my favorites as a child! I can't say I don't enjoy it still, though adult me found it to be too quickly paced for current tastes! But that's why it's a middle grade book, it is perfect for the age group.

[Sophia Barsuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came out in 2001. I bought it in 2002 when I was eight years old. It has sat on my shelf for over two decades and I never got past the second chapter as a child. And now that I've read it, I can say it's a solid book. Cute, whimsical, sometimes a little funny. A quick, easy, fun read.

[Louie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books in elementary school. I loved it.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Janet Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good little story, and a quick and easy read.

[Chrystal Iris · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was so good

[Cassidy Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been a LONG time, but I remember loving it!

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story about being careful what you wish for. Found the backwoods country vernacular grating.

[Trudy Monk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book unlike other concepts, very country and animal friendly. Good for just being interesting.

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishes, Kisses and Pigs
By: Betsy Hearne
Report by: Gracie Schlutz
Q2 #3

Star rating: 5 out 5 stars
Because I found this book enjoyable and relatable

Plot Summary:

Louise is a farm girl who has lost her father but currently lives on a farm that they raise pigs. Louise lives with her mom and her brother Willie, her family loves pigs they have sows and little piglets running around the barn, which is always such a joy. But there was one night in particular that changed everything. Louise was sitting in the grass stargazing when she immediately spotted a shooting star, it was one of those once and a lifetime kind of things, she saw the shooting star so she closed her pretty blue eyes and wished upon a star. Even though the thought of wishing upon a star was silly and kind of childish because of coarse it’s not going to come true or at least it probably will not. The last thing she heard from her brother that night while she was stargazing was that he was going off to the barn to feed the pigs. Louise and her mom start beginning to worry because Willie has gone missing with no trace of evidence. The only thing that Louise had thought was strange is that a new looking pig appeared the pig had the same baby blue eyes as Willie. But could it be possible that Willie could have been turned into a pig…or is it just Louise’s head getting to her, and he really ran away? If so is there a way to turn him back? I know but that’s for me to know and you to find out…so happy reading, read the book Wishes, Kisses and Pigs!

Main Characters:
Story told from Louise’s point of view,
Other main characters are her brother Willie and her mom
Protagonist: Louise
Antagonist: the wish

Key issues:
The key issue is that Louise’s brother disappeared one night and nobody knows where he is the only thing Louise knew is the last thing he said “I am going to feed the pigs”.

Conclusion:
I gave this book the rate that I did because it was enjoyable. My reactions to the book was mainly I loves the fact that I can have personal connections with the character Louise in the story because my family raises pigs plus I absolutely love pigs and I love to show at fair. I think that people that judge a book by its cover would like it because I think the cover is intriguing and most importantly farm girls, farm kids, or kids that like animals or are in love with pigs! I want to also share that this book isn’t just a book for particular kids I think about any kid would like it!

[Saige Holcomb]

I think "Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs" is a great book. It can teach children to be careful what they wish for, especially when they are wishing on a shooting star. My favorite part was when at the end Louise made her final wish and everything went back to normal. Her dad who the family thought had left years ago came back to being a human . It turned out he was an owl this whole time because years ago he made a wish that he wanted to fly.

"Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs" is about a girl named Louise that accidently made a wish about her brother being a pig when he was upsetting her. Louise and her mother were then on a mission to make Louise's brother Willie be a human again and hide it from people. They waited almost the entire summer for the full moon to be out to make a wish. They also needed Willie's girlfriend Maybell to kiss him so he would turn back to human. At the end Louise made a wish and everything went back to normal and Willie was human again.

I reconmend "Wishes,Kisses, and Pigs" to either people who like Pigs or wishing on stars. This story has it all. It will also teach you to be careful what you wish for even when you are technically not wishing when a shooting star is out, Willie and Louise's father did when he said he wished he could fly. When you say the words "I wish" it still might come true.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book, because of the title, I thought wishes, kisses, and pigs, did not go together, so I had to check it out for myself, and I was pleased with the outcome. In 'Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs," a girl named Louise wishes for her brother to turn into a pig, and her wish actually comes true. She now has to find a way to turn him back into a human, but she needs to keep in mind that wishes can me manipulative and tricky! My favorite quote from this book was "Star light, star bright, first star I've seen tonight. I wish I may I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight." This was the quote Louise used to turn her brother into a pig, and for some other mischievousness things. She would wish on a star, and hopefully the wish would come true the next day. I liked the author's writing style, because it made me feel like I was at a farm, and I was a Southern cowgirl who had to work in my family's farm, and that made me feel superb about the book. There was also many similes and metaphors, which added to the book's experience. In end, I was satisfied with this book,and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a short and sweet story.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot fronm this book. it is truely one of the best books I have ever read. It Basically has Three main charactors which are Louise,mama, and Willie. But some outher key charactors are Tom and Tod. The sory is about a girl who told her brother he was a pig while there was a full moon and hr turned into a pig. Now Louise has to figure out the trick to reverse the whole thing. Louise is definetly a dynamic charactor because at the beggining she can't stand her brother butat the end she is happy hes back. The story was also Ironic because she didn't like her brother and just by saying Three words he actuallt turns into a pig. However two of the charactos who are stabilizing charactors are Tom and Tod who like Louise,s mom at the beginning and still at the end. Overall something to remember from the book is be careful what you wish for.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishes Kisses and pigs By betsy Hearne is a great book. Its a fiction book.The book is basically about the main charactor, a girl named Louise and her brother Willie. Louise cant stand her brother and one night while she is enjoying a beautifal sunset Willie makes a comment about how it looks like smashed tomatoes. Louise got mad and called Willie a pig and he ran off. But when Willie doesnt show up for supper they start getting worried. But when a new pig shows up in their pin the next day Louise and their mom come to the conclusion that the pig is Willie. And throught the book they try to switch Willie back to a human. overall i thought the book was really good. It kind of left you guessing about what would happen next. I think the part at the end were Louise comes up with a plan is interesting. Any way its a great book and I would definetly racommend it to anyone.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do wishes really come true? I sure hope so because i would love to make a wish right now. Louise and he brother had a little argument one night and she wished he turned into a pig, and guess what happens? He's a pig now. So now when you hear people say "Be careful what you wish for" you know what they mean. Now Louise doesn't know what to do. Especially since her father's been missing for 7 years and people are starting to suspect something suspicious about the Tollivars. Louise then says that she's going to fix everything by her 12th birthday but does she know how?
This book is a very interesting book. If you believe in wishes, then this is the right book for you to read. It talks about wishing on stars and what you have to say to make the wish come true. If you didn't believe in wishing, this book might just change your mind.

[Yan cao · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one of my favorite book since childhood,back in second or third grade.Louise, the main character of the story, is just like me.I said that Louise and I are similar because we both have a brother that is extremely annoying.But after I read this book, I learned something that changed the way I acted to my brother.
This book was about Louise making wishes on stars, including the sun. But Willie, her brother, kept saying that she does not know how to make a wish. He made Louise very angry and she made the wish that changed her life!
Louise,"I wish you were a pig!"
All of a sudden, Willie did turn into a pig. After all the searching and trying to save Willie from being a pig forever, Louise learned a lot. She learned that however Willie treats her, she will still love him because he is her brother after all.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character in this book is Louis Tolliver. She lives with her mom and her brother. Her father had disappeared a while ago. One day, Louis gets into a fight with her brother and she wishes that night, unaware of the falling star. The next day, her brother is gone, but a pig with blue eyes appears. Throughout this whole book, Louis tries to undo what her first wish had done, and winds up with a lot more than she started with. You follow her through an adventure full of wishing and hoping, all while she tries to balance everything out.

I really liked this book because wishing plays a huge part in this book and really teaches the lesson, be careful what you wish for. Louis tries very hard to return everyone to normal, and eventually she does, after a lot of hard work. I really love that aspect of the book. I also liked how the characters were very relate-able.

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book almost feels like an unusual American fairy tale to me. The story is fairly short and simple, and the tone is whimsical but a bit dark and mysterious too. The characters are likable(except for the two "villains"), and the story is overall written with warmth and humor.
It did bother me that Louise and her mother so readily thought up and accepted the idea of Willie turning into a pig, because I would have expected them to dismiss the very idea as at least improbable. But then again, this also contributed to the fantastical tone of the book. I also would have liked to see the story about Sadie Tolliver worked into the main plot more. However, this strange little book was still a very enjoyable and refreshing read.

[Ally Shae]

Wishes, Kisses,and Pigs, is a great book.The author is Betsy Hearne.It takes place in 1950's in Texas.The main characters in this are Julia and jacob.The book is mainly about Jacob get's lost.Julia find's the magic red circle's on the barn her dad's friend was telling her about and found out the pig was jacob.

This book was one of my personal experiences.Some parts was mystery's you had to find out by keep reading.Once you start reading you can't stop because you feel like you need to find out more about it.This is great or anybody who likes mmystery book's.This is a great book for any kid to read.