Pigs In The Mud In The Middle Of The Rud

by Lynn Plourde

A feisty grandmother and her family struggle to get an assortment of farm animals out of the road so the family can pass in their Model T Ford.

Genres: Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Childrens, Family, Transport, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

I write kids' books--talk about a FUN job! I worked for 21 years as a speech-language therapist in Maine schools. When I got married, I got 3 & 4-year-old stepsons as part of my ready-made family. I read the boys picture books at bedtime. They fell asleep after 2 or 3 books, but I kept reading stacks and stacks of picture books and started to dream . . . maybe I could write picture books. I was already writing educational books (listening & speaking ideas for the classroom), but PICTURE BOOKS--that was different!

Different, and sloooooow! I had 13 years of rejections before getting my first book published, Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud, and I still get more rejections than acceptances--even after having more than 40 books published. So I'm still an author-in-training--learning to be a better author all the time.

I LOVE writing, the whole creative process. I also LOVE sharing my books with kids at schools: doing interactive readings, turning one of my books into a play, and teaching students how to plan and write different kinds of stories (i.e. problem stories, character stories, graphic novel scenes, fables) modeled after my books.

I love to try new kinds of writing such as poetic stories, a biography, a graphic novel, and more. Writing new kinds of stories is a challenge, but it makes writing fun and keeps me interested in the process.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beginning rhyme story tickled me. Lynn is so whimsical with her stories and she must be a totally hilarious person to be around. She comes up with some stuff that surprises the reader and brings that childhood joy out.

I did think the artwork was worth too much and did little for the story, but the story is funny enough to overcome the mediocre art work.

The rhyme scheme repeats itself each page. A family drives home and a pig is blocking the road and they all say a rhyme about it, a member of the family gets out, says another rhyme and tries to remove the animal. All I have to say is don't mess with grandma when she gets her dander up. She's the closer. The ending did surprise me and had me laughing.

I'm going to share this one with the Nephew and see if he gives me feedback. He has started virtual school, so he might not be in the mood for reading.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is always a hit with the 3-6 audience. One of the most requested books in my classroom. "Please, oh please Ms. Christine, please read Pigs in the mud" Can't get much better an endorsement than a preschool class gathered round the teacher squealing with excitement at the anticipation of this book being read to them. Well worthy of 5 stars.

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This energetic book depicts a 1950's Northeastern family on a trip into town in their Model T Ford. But their forward progress is repeatedly blocked by a variety of ever-increasing animals. Brother, sister, mama, and papa all take a turn to try to clear the way, but all are unsuccessful until Grandma gets "her dander up" and takes decisive action... with dramatic results.

This book has all the qualities toddlers love: predictability, simple slapstick hilarity, rhythm, and drama mixed with a warm family dynamic. Adults will enjoy reading it aloud, and there is enough complexity to draw in older elementary children. Plourde demonstrates a flair with wordplay, effortlessly weaving invented words such as "shmuffle" and "smarge" into her well-written story events, and her subtle interpersonal humor will make this an instant, and repeated, success. Schoenherr's illustrations depart from the more somber mood of Owl Moon into bright watercolors situated against white space, creating a lightheartedly playful experience.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I am not sure I would keep this book in my classroom, I could see where this book may be humorous for students. Yet, I didn't quite understand all the "in the rud" references. It just made no sense and it didn't funny in that nonsensical way Dr. Seuss does. I suppose it could aid students in gaining knowledge about rhyming words and making up words but aside from that, I don't see a purpose for this book.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course it takes the oldest and wisest of the family (Grandma) to solve the dilemma of all the farm animals blocking the family’s buggy from being able to begin its journey down the path.

I didn’t make this read-aloud anywhere near as exciting as Ms. Plourde did in her you-tube video. Great job making the story more interactive and fun! Interest level: second grade or younger.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

another one of my most favorite children's books. the granny reminds me of the gramma on beverly hillbillies. again, when my mum would read this, she's put on a funny voice for granny. i love the old fashion bit about it, what with the whole model-t ford and all, and the solution to the problem is awesome.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved that it was the matriarch of the family who got things moving in this story. It's a fun and silly rhyming tale of a family stuck in the "rud," blocked by a variety of farm animals on their way home. Our girls thought it was hilarious, especially with repetition, the onomatopoeia and the nonsense words.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's mud season, but there's more than mud in the middle of the road: There are pigs, hens, sheep, and bulls in the way. That won't do. For a car to get through, somebody's gotta shoo! But who?

A great rhyming read-aloud during Fair Week and hence, Pig stories. Fun to see who gets stuck in the mud next.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word is sure to get the pigs out of the middle of the road..."SUP". Yup, that's the word.

Used for "Cheep, Oink, and Moo: Chicken, Pork, and Beef"-storytime-April, 2010.

Used for "What a Mess! Storytime-October, 2010.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a culumative rhyming tale about farm animals being stuck in the mud. What member of the family will be able to get the animals to move so the car may proceed? Great fun and great illustraions.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorite read-alouds!

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly little rhyme about animals in the way of a car on a country road and a pushy gramdma.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny story about a family trying to get animals out of the road so they can get home. Great hick/southern accents for all of the family members.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in my English Language Arts Methods class! So cute and funny! Good to use for teaching rhyming, alliteration, short vowels, etc.

[Kaley Coburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book not only brings in a fun well-loved animal but silly words to make a story in which children will find mesmerizing.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A silly book about a family trying to clear animals out the middle of the road in order to continue on with their day.

[Vanessa Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a car that needs to get by but it runs into quite a few obstacles along the way. There are lots of rhyming and fun words in this book that make it very engaging for early childhood students. This also is a book that highlights farm animals which again makes it something that can then be interactive where you may ask the student what farm animal this is or what sound this animal makes. I enjoyed this book because it had rhymes that made the book more entertaining and illustrations that brought out and highlighted the animals on the pages. I also loved that it was realistic colors and not imaginary colors. This book makes a fantastic read-aloud!
Author: Lynn Plourde
Illustrator: John Schoenherr
Publisher: UNKNO January 1, 2006

[Brittney Cayford]

This a fun and entertaining book for students to learn about pigs and realistic events that occur on a Farm. Pigs and animals can be stubborn- but the 'Farmer" or grandmother has ways to control their animals. Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud shows the importance of listening skills as well as following orders. I said this was realistic fiction because this commonly happens to farmers- Cattle pause in the middle of the road when crossing- Sheep have herding dogs to keep them going in the right direction.

[Kaylee Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Lynn Plourde
Illustrator: John Schoenherr
ISBnN-13: 9780892727193

Summary: There is mud in the middle of the road. There are animals in the way as well. Somebody has to remove the animals in order for the cars to get through. The book uses alliteration and rhymes to create an engaging story.

[Kim Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice repetition and descriptive words. The ending is cute. Pictures are vivid. Children will enjoy the problem one family has trying to go down the road when it is blocked by various animals.

[Keann Moncrieffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book that hooked me from beginning to end. The pictures helped show the story fun and light, and it was easy and light to read! I like how some parts repeat because when reading with others, we can all say those parts together; overall, it was an incredible story!

[Amber Helt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading this to my students! They love the rhymes, repetitions, and the ending (no spoilers here).

[Bella Herrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really good for small children that like fun words, rhymes, repetition, and silly scenarios.

[Lauren Hay · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Lynn Plourde uses anticipation to engage her readers with a cute repetitive story. This book would be great for younger readers to work on their reading fluency.

[Craytonh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can be a tongue twister, so be sure to practice this before reading aloud to children! I like the fun rhyming in this book and the illustrations are very well done once again!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was very well written. I loved how it tuned and it was really well flowing.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites from when I was younger. I really like Plourde's use of rhyming to help younger children learn to read on their own.

[Isabella VanZandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. With the rhyming, the book is great for students to read who is in speech therapy. Also, it is a funny book for children.

[Jenna Hanoian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the rhyme, great for kids and it was a fun book that makes you smile. It also brings up idea of rural maine.

[Hailey Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all of the sound effects and playful words throughout the story