Porkenstein

by Kathryn Lasky, David Jarvis (Illustrator)

Newbery writer Kathryn Lasky presents a wildly funny Frankenstein / Halloween tale in the vein of Dav Pilkey's bestseller THE HALLO-WIENER, with hilarious illustrations by new artist David Jarvis.

Dr. Smart Pig is a famous inventor, but he doesn't have any friends. His brothers were eaten by the Big Bad Wolf, and now he's all alone. Halloween is coming up, and he doesn't have anyone to go trick-or-treating with. Suddenly, Dr. Pig has an idea. He can INVENT a friend--a pig who is bigger and better and absolutely wolf-proof! But things don't turn out quite as expected, and soon Dr. Pig realizes he's created a monster--an enormous porker who hogs the show but ultimately proves that true friendship comes in all shapes, sizes, and appetites. Who ate the Big Bad Wolf? PORKENSTEIN, that's who!

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Humor, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship, 2nd Grade

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Kathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.

Reviews

[Westminster Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a brilliant mad scientist who just happens to be lonely, the easiest thing to do is to make a friend in your laboratory right? But what if your friend just happens to be enormous, scary and always hungry? I found this to be a charming read with plenty chuckle worthy moments along the way.

Find Porkenstein at the Westminster Public Library!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Porkenstein by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by David Jarvis, is the story of lonely Dr. Smart Pig, a famous inventor, who decides to invent a friend, a pig who is bigger and better and absolutely wolf-proof! Things don't go as expected.

Dr. Smart Pig's brothers were eaten by the Big Bad Wolf, so before Halloween, the Doctor decides to invent a friend. His first couple tries don't work as the Doctor produces a pig fish and a pig bat. Then the Doctor invents Porkenstein, an enormous porker who eats everything in sight. The media is alerted and the Big Bad Wolf decides to pay a visit. Porkenstein turns out to be just the friend the doctor ordered!

The text tells this funny story in a straight forward way. The concept of a true friend and change within a character is portrayed within this tale. The concept of inventing a friend reminds me a bit of The Cake Girl.

Jarvis' illustrations really bring out the exaggerated humor of the story. My favorite images include the cover picture, the pig fish, the doctor hand feeding Porkenstein, the pigs putting on costumes, and the last page of the story.

The set up of Dr. Smart Pig as the remaining brother of the three little pigs who fears the wolf is a clever premise. The illustrations really carry this Halloween story, which children should enjoy as either a story time read-aloud or a one on one read.

For ages 3 to 9, wolves, monsters, friendship, Frankenstein variant, Halloween, pigs, and fans of Kathryn Lasky and David Jarvis.

[Victoria Leininger-halpern · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extension of the "Three Little Pigs", both of his brothers were eaten so the third brother pig decides to create a new friend because he is lonely, only to create a huge pig who eats everything. I really enjoyed this story because I thought it was very cleverly written and is a good Halloween book for young kids.

I really liked the illustrations in this book, they are very colorful and humorous. I thought the best part was the tie-in to the original story though, and the wolf at the end was the perfect end to a story like this. I highly recommend this as a Halloween story to kids of all ages.

[Tiana Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Porkenstein, by Kathryn Lasky, is a silly Halloween tale with The Three Little Pigs Twist. The smartest little pig is very lonely after losing his brothers to the big bad wolf, so he decides to make a friend! There is one problem, the friend he made is massive, and he eats everything! When Porkenstein makes the news, the big bad wolf decides he is hungry for some pig, so he decides to stop by the house and eat Porkenstein. The huge pig has something else in store for the wolf, and was feeling a bit hungry. In other words, the big bad wolf was no more.

This is a fun story to tell to students when learning about different fairytales. They love when original fairy tales have a twist to them. Porkenstein is fun story about accepting others for who they, and friendship.

This story reminds me of Goldi Rocks and The Three Bears, by Corey Rosen Schwartz. Both stories put a modern spin on the classic tales in a fun and unique way. Each story also displays friendship and accepting one another.

"That night Dr. Pig couldn't believe how lucky he was. 'Porkenstein, I'll never have a better friend like you'"

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is honestly a hilarious book. It's a fun way for little ones to have a good time with monsters without it being too threatening. I laughed out loud when I read it and used it for several story times at the library.
Definitely recommend.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about what happened after the big bad wolf ate two of the three little pigs... The one remaining, Dr. Pig, makes a Porkenstein to keep him company so he won't be lonely! Cute idea and twist ending.

[Suzann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the illustrations, but the story was not as good as it could have been with such a promising idea.

[Precious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! My kids and I used it for our Interactive Read Aloud and study of conjunctions.

[Zazie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and feel that a child would as well. I recommend this to your kids for sure.

[Mrs Heet -Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slightly odd story, and would be better appreciated by older kids.

[Mersi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy did an amazing job reading this!

[Matei Popa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what to say... I read it in less than 1 minute. It's like you are twenty and you read a book recommended for 5 years.

[KayCee K · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute Halloween read!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining follow-on tale to the classic story of Three Little Pigs. The narrative is strange, but humorous, and the illustrations are terrific.

Our oldest loved that the book was written by Kathryn Lasky, but it seems so very different from the other books we've read by her.

Overall, it was a fun, fast read and our girls liked the ending. We enjoyed reading this book together.

[Ch_katiemcginnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for K-3 especially around Halloween. This is a story about a lonely since his two brothers were eaten by the big bad wolf pig. He then tries to create a friend in his laboratory. Porkenstein lends itself to teaching the concept of change within a character and what a true friend means. The students will respond to the humor and can identify with the characters.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lonely pig decides to invent a friend, and after several humorous misfires, he accidentally creates Porkenstein who eats everything in sight (including the big bad wolf, yay!). A good read-aloud for pig, Halloween, friendship or inventor themes.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book strictly for the fact that my friend illustrated it. He is an incredible artist and I was excited to see more of his stuff. I was pleasantly surprised by how cute the story was. I think any kid would enjoy the story and pictures.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Smart Pig is lonely and needs a friend. He also happens to be an inventor. This hilarious story tells of how Dr. Smart Pig tries to create a new friend. I think that third graders would really enjoy this story. The creatures that are created are silly and fun.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a funny way to teach kids "beware of what you wish for"! This book was hilarious. Inventor Pig, the last remaining brother of the 3 pigs, is lonely and needs a friend who is wolf proof. The illustrations really supported this book.

[Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was extremely disappointed with this book. A pig is lonely for Halloween and in a nutshell, creates a porkenstien friend to keep him company. I would not read this to my kids and was not impressed by this book at all. The book was uninteresting and was a big letdown for me as a reader.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun re-iteration of Frankenstein - only this time the "mad scientist" (Dr. Smart Pig) is making his creation to be his friend so he won't be lonely. After several mis-starts, he finally get the pig he thinks he's after.

Terribly fun illustrations!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this one! It's about a lonely scientist determined to invent a new wolf-proof friend. Very funny for Halloween. Plus, it's got pigs!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seasonal reading for Junior Mint. Five months and he already has a library card. An interesting twist on the three little pigs Happy Halloween!

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing illustrations

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think next time I will read this book closer to Halloween. Ooops :) A cute story for that time of year.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was great, because it reminds me of the story "Three Little Pigs" and "Little Red Riding Hood." I like the illustrations. I would recommend this book to other kids.

[Cindy]

Very funny story! You could use this for sequence and for Halloween! I would use this for first or second graders.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing to fear with a good friend by your side...even the big bad wolf!

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute Halloween book for kids that combines the 3 Little pigs and Frankenstein. Nice and fun artwork with a silly but simple story telling style.