Perfect the Pig

by Susan Jeschke

The adventures of Perfect the pig begin when his wish for a pair of wings is granted.

"Jeschke's pencil drawings are rough-hewn and pithy, their homely figures at once distinctive and endearing." -- Booklist

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Juvenile, Animals

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Susan Jeschke is a children's author and illustrator whose books include the Reading Rainbow selection Perfect the Pig. She has also illustrated Tea and Whoppers, Into the Great Forest, and Scary Night Visitors.

Source: https://us.macmillan.com/author/susan...

Reviews

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you know, I have seen many children’s books through a brilliant and memorable television series called “Reading Rainbow” and this must be the one thousandth book that I have seen from “Reading Rainbow” which is called “Perfect the Pig.” “Perfect the Pig” is a children’s book by Susan Jeschke which is about an unusual pig named Perfect who has sprouted wings and he finds a friend in a woman named Olive. “Perfect the Pig” is a wonderful tale about true friendship that children will read over and over again!

Amazing! Simply amazing! I never would have thought that I would have read a book that truly defines the true meaning of friendship in such a dramatic way! Susan Jeschke has certainly done an excellent job at both writing and illustrating this book about true friendship and I loved the way that Susan Jeschke has made this story extremely heartwarming and intense at the same time as it vividly details the adventures that Perfect the pig has on his journey to the city. The scene that I was almost literally crying at was when Perfect is lost in the fog and he is taken in by a man who mistreats him badly and I was literally screaming for Perfect to get back home to Olive. I was also near to tears about the scene where Perfect the pig is kicked out of his home because of his wings and it reminded me of the movie “Dumbo” where Dumbo was mistreated by the other elephants because of his large ears. Susan Jeschke’s illustrations are extremely beautiful and dramatic and I really loved the image of Perfect the pig himself as he has beautiful wings, which makes him look like a character that came out of a mythological book and I also loved the way that the black and white colors complement to the dramatic tone of this book.

For those of you who have seen this book on “Reading Rainbow,” you might be a little disappointed that this book is not in color and the illustrations are in black and white. Even though I loved the illustrations, I will admit that I was a little disappointed that this book was not in color like I seen on “Reading Rainbow” however the story was still enjoyable to read and it did not completely set me off from the main story.

Overall, “Perfect the Pig” is a brilliant book about the power of true friendship and just being yourself no matter what other people think. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since smaller children might be worried about the kidnapping scene.

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another "Reading Rainbow" book that totally got me as a kid! I was just utterly absorbed by this story and found it at once endearing and repulsive; the bad guy is just so darn bad (the part where he makes Perfect eat the trash just filled my little soul with such outrage!) but there is also so much love here. I'd like to read it again.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our girls really enjoyed this story. It's a fantastic story, filled with good and bad, love and drama. The illustrations are all black and white, like pencil sketchings, but they bring the story to life. Our oldest borrowed this book from the library a second time; she really likes this story.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read this in a long time but this book was my childhood. My grandma owned/owns this book and I have the good memory of being at her house and reading it. I remember it was a good book!

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book with a creepy villain.

[Bri Lunde · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story full of magic, adventure, and the importance of a loving friend. Perfect is a pig who wishes for wings. Once he is different, he is shunned from his fellow pigs and left to his own. Through his troubles he meets a woman named Olive who takes him in and cares for him. But... Perfect encouters a problem and gets taken from his warm, loving home to be used for profit in a circus act. Throughout his experience Perfect finally makes it home where he and Olive spend the rest of their days on their dream farm.

I chose this book because it is one that I was read to in the fourth grade and have since loved. It is a book that can be used for all students despite their individual backgrounds and would be excellent for teaching resiliency. This book would be best for kindergarten through fourth grade. What I like most about this book is the message that it sends about friendship and how impactful someone can be in your life.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so I remember watching the Reading Rainbow episode about this as a kid, but I repressed the memory until I found the book in the children's book store I worked at. As I opened it I got flash backs to ALL THE FEELS I felt as a child. From Perfect floating into the window all tired and sad, to the creepy, CREEPY old man who held Perfect for prisoner. He remains the creepiest most disturbing baddy in children's lit for me.

That all being said, maybe it's the nostalgia but I still really like this story. Ah well.

[Stephanie Croaning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is sadder and more dramatic than a lot of children's books, so it may not be for every child. First, Perfect is the runt of his litter and is not accepted by his siblings or mother. There is also a pretty creepy bad guy who doesn't treat Perfect very well at all. Perfect has some scary and sad things happen in his life, but the story does have a good ending. It is a story about love and friendship, good and evil.

The illustrations are black and white sketches, which I feel match the more mature story. This is a longer picture book with a fairly high reading level.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little piglet that doesn't like doing "pig things" rescues a large sow that has fallen down (and can't get up!) wherein she grants him a wish and he picks wings. With his new wings he flies off to the city where he is adopted by an artist. Eventually he gets lost, captured by an evil man, and made to perform. Miserable, he is finally rescued by the artist and they move to the country to live happily ever after.

I remember reading this book as a child. I was a bit baffled by it then as I am snow.

Illustrations are okay.

[Darkfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay, some parts are a little cheesy, but I love it, and so does my 5yo. The artwork draws you in to the story. I think it wonderfully illustrates for children the difference between a safe adult and the type of person we always try to warn our kids about. However, the emphasis is on being with the people you love, and who love you, and it doesn't leave my kids cowering with fright of strangers and bad guys.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

The runt of the litter is chased away. He grows wings. How? Why? He's adopted by an artist who makes money from the paintings. He is treated well and named Perfect. He becomes lost and is found by a circus trainer who makes money by tethering him and having him fly. He does not treat Perfect well. The artist retrieves him.

Yeah, not that great of a story, is it?

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this on Reading Rainbow when I was a kid. My parents bought me a copy, and I still have it. It's a beautiful story of a pig with wings looking for his forever home. He meets some horrid people on the way, but finds his happy ending.

[Gloria]

This is another story where children can examine was is real and what is make believe. This book's illustrations were in black and white but I do not feel like they took away from the story. This book could also go along with talking about emotions.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read this book with my PACE (high level) first graders. They loved hearing about Perfect and the story entranced them. The book was read along with Catwings, which has a similar story line (flying cats), but they seemed to like Perfect more.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

From Reading Rainbow episode: Perfect the Pig.
My daughter (8) is not really into "bad guy" stories so they lost her in that section. Before that she liked the story of the charming baby winged pig.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry, had to add it. This one's for Eva!

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember too much about this one except that it has a happy ending. This was featured on Reading Rainbow.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

pig, flying, unlikely pilot, family

[Aida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can still remember when I read this book in 1983. It is one of my favorite books from childhood.

[Kelly Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story! (But I should warn you I'm partial to pig stories...)

[Cws]

JEAR3-Jes

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have longed to find this book again! But I could not recall the title. Before I give it a proper review I must find a oopy and reread it. When I was a child, it made me cry.

[Talia Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this story as a child, had it memorized by kindergarten. Now I read it to my son who shares the same fascination with a flying, sweet pig. It's perfect!

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A favorite of mine from my reading rainbow days.
Uses: pleasure read

[Nancy Ely · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my childhood favorites! Heartwarming story

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sweet story about finding yourself and your family. The bad guy is pretty creepy.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text to text: Catwings
Charlotte's Web

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you're unwilling to exploit a friend, maybe let them get kidnapped so someone else can exploit them, then use the court settlement to get a happy ending for both you and your friend.

[Cheriwinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story that my kids and I discovered on Reading Rainbow.

[Madeline Polson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome book for a read aloud! Encourages imagination and shows anything is possible.