Sky Pig

by Jan L. Coates, Suzanne Rizzo (Illustrations)

First Jack and Ollie try the leafy branches. Then a giant kite. Idea after idea, invention after invention, boy and pig drag them all to the top of the highest hill. Then Ollie runs as hard as ever a pig could run, until his trotters lift from the ground and Crash! In Sky Pig, Jan Coates weaves a story of sweetness and whimsy, ingenuity and empathy. Plasticine artist Suzanne Del Rizzo brings dimension and energy to the tale of a pig who wants against all popular truisms to fly. He may never reach the sky on homemade clockwork wings, but Ollie still dreams as hard as ever a pig can dream. And Jack, a true friend, realizes that just because a pig can t fly in the ways they have tried doesn t mean he can never soar. An uplifting picture book for anyone who has tried and tried again."

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2016

Reviews

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ollie, a little pig, wanted so very much to fly. He watched birds, and airplanes, and bugs, and things being blown in the wind, and he wanted to fly more than anything. His friend Jack, being an inventive boy, did all he could to try to help him attain his dream – even though everybody knows pigs can’t fly.

To launch Ollie airborne they collected leafy branches and fastened them onto his back. They climbed all the way to the top of a very high hill, and Ollie did his very best to fly. Just when he was thinking, “I’m flying! I’m flying, I’m …” Crash! he came down hard, and sadly limped home.

Since that unsuccessful attempt didn’t dampen Ollie’s determination, Jack helped him construct a kite (fail), then wings with feathers and things (fail), and more inventions to try to make Ollie fly. Nothing worked, and nothing made Ollie smile, until the day they discovered something wondrous.

Illustrator Suzanne Del Rizzo created amazing illustrations for Sky Pig. To quote: “The illustrations were rendered with plasticine, polymer clay, paper collage, milkweed fluff, watch gears, and other doodads.” Take a close look at the cover illustration to see many of those doodads.

Sky Pig was a selection for the 2016 Best Books for Kids & Teens, won the 2017 Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for excellence in illustration, and was a finalist for the 2017 Shining Willow Award.

Sky Pig by Jan L. Coates is an inspiring story written with repetition of some phrases and humour children will love. Her word choices are delightful. Suzanne Del Rizzo‘s illustrations are gorgeous and complement the story perfectly. When you get to read this book, watch for two little friends who appear in almost every picture with Ollie and Jack, adding a smile for the reader.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sky Pig by Jan L. Coates and illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo, explores the fearless adventures of a pig who wants to fly, and the boy who is determined to help him. From kites to clockwork wings, to even a kaleidoscope of beautiful umbrellas, Ollie the pig still ends up crashing his way all the way down from the sky. But will the boy, Jack ever be able to help Ollie learn how to fly? In this misadventure of determination and friendship, one little pig will find his way into the sky.
With illustrations rendered by plasticine and polymer clay, readers are taken on an artistic adventure, where creativity knows no bounds.

You can find the rest of my reviews and giveaways in my weekly newspaper column: For the Love of Books-Dixon's Independent Voice

[Paula Hollohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the ideas put forth in this book as Jack and Ollie try to problem solve together. The problem of course, how to get Ollie to fly. Several iterations until he is finally airborn. K-4 design thinking, innovation and inventions.

[Sue Slade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated picture book proving that the adynaton, when pigs fly, is not an impossibility when you have the determination, imagination, and creativity that Jack & Ollie have.

[Laura Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought Sky Pig was an exceptional picture book. It shattered my expectations, it mesmerized me with it's artwork, and the relationship between Ollie and Jack reminded me of that between Pooh and Christopher Robin.

Ollie the Pig wants to fly. Like any pet owner, Jack understands Ollie even without a shared language between them. Jack helps Ollie to create wings from branches, and just when Ollie thinks he's flying he comes crashing down to the ground. Together they invent several flying devices, and every time they try something new they learn from their past mistakes and employ more modern technology into their attempts. Will one of those attempts help Ollie achieve his dream of flying?

Coates' writing is clear and fun. Whether or not she intended to draw inspiration from Winnie the Pooh, she has managed to create a story about a boy and his best, non-human friend that is original and current.

The artwork by Suzanne Del Rizzo is absolutely brilliant. This book is colourful, fun, detailed, and textured. Sky Pig can be read over and over again, and each time a new detail will catch your eye as you flip through, keeping the experience fresh and exciting.

This picture book is suitable for many children. Toddlers will love the expressive faces of the clay characters, the bright colours, and the sillyness of the messes Ollie gets into. And children old enough to know the expression "when pigs fly" will also enjoy this book because the plot brings the expression to life and they may be familiar with some of the technology that Jack and Ollie use to try flying. I highly recommend it!

[Wendy J. Whittingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Ollie are the best of friends. When Ollie (a pig) decides he wants to fly, Jack tries to help him realize his dream. Sadly, none of the brilliant ideas work out and in the end Ollie finds a way to not only fly, but soar.
Suzanne Del Rizzo’s plasticine, mixed media, and found objects illustrations capture this fun, energetic story.
A great tale of friendship and perseverance that will surely appeal to those who never give up.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ollie the pig wants to fly more than anything. He tries and tries with the help of his friend Jack. Nothing works until he finds a hot air balloon. Now with Jack holding the rope, Ollie is flying overhead.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a fun book and lots of nice entertaining clever visual detail from plasticene, polymer clay, fabric and paper. Adults will have to explain the joke about pigs flying.
I would give it a 3.5 and slightly more if the 2nd page of the story wasn't so disconnected - are we supposed to work out that Jack can read Ollie the pig's mind? And why does a pig want to fly?

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ollie dreams of being able to fly, and his human friend Jack tries just about everything to get his pig friend aloft. After all, what are friends for? But even though they tie together branches, use a kite and its string, and even fashion wings to Ollie's back, no matter how fast and hard he runs, he can only fly briefly. But friends never give up, and one day when a hot air balloon presents possibilities, the two seize the moment, and Ollie rises into the air. The story is sweet and provides a message about persistence, but the illustrations, created with plasticine, polymer clay, paper collage, and various found objects, including milkweed fluff and watch gears are visually appealing and merit a second or a third look.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ollie the Pig dreams of flying and his human friend, Jack, helps him invent some wings. A whimsical tale of friendship and ingenuity.