Too Many Pigs in the Pool

by Wendy Hinote Lanier, Iris Amaya (Illustrator)

On Sunday, Mr. Jenkins welcomes one pig into his pool (as a guest of his neighbor Ms. Peal, who's brought along her famous seven layer dip as well). Really, how much trouble could one little pig be? But one pig becomes two and two become four... And by Saturday there are just TOO MANY PIGS IN THE POOL! This funny math-based story will have readers laughing along with pigs Percy and Wanda while learning about multiplication and the doubling sequence.

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Animals, Humor, Childrens, Stem, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 15, 2022

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just right for teaching youngsters about how numbers double and grow, this humorous picture book vividly illustrates that mathematical concept but also shows what happens when someone is too generous. Mr. Jenkins enjoys having a pool in his backyard where he can swim, snooze in the sun, and read books. But he also would love some company and decides to invite a neighbor, Ms. Peal, to come over. She does, bringing her pet pig Percy. Everything goes swimmingly, and Mr. Jenkins has no regrets about the invitation he extended. But the next day, Percy shows up with another friend, Wanda, and they lounge in the water. That's when all the trouble starts because during the ensuing days, there are even more pigs in the pool--four--and then eight, and then sixteen, and then thirty-two, and then, oh, no, sixty-four pigs. There's barely room to move in the pool and certainly no place for Mr. Jenkins to dip even his toes. When the pool collapses due to all the weight, the pigs are all washed down the hillside into town. A wiser Mr. Jenkins rebuilds the pool frame, adds a fence, and limits the number of guests. That way he can still have some companionship but not so many. After all, too many pigs in the pool may result in no pool for anyone. The illustrations are filled with characters with interesting facial expressions and posture, and the sight of all those pigs in the pool will elicit more than one snigger from young readers as they realize what's about to happen.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former elementary teacher turned author of numerous nonfiction books for kids has now written her first fiction picture book. Think of a good old-fashioned math story problem and turn it into a story. Then you can imagine the chaos that happens as a growing number of pigs are added to a pool.

Mr. Jenkins loves relaxing in his pool but at times, he wishes he could enjoy it with someone else. He decides to invite his neighbor Ms. Peal, who also brings her pet pig, Percy. They had such a wonderful day at the pool. The next day, Mr. Jenkins finds Percy in the pool along with a pig friend. Each day, more pigs join the fun in the pool until there may just be too many pigs in the pool.

Each day when more pigs are added to the pool, a math equation appears at the bottom of the page to help kids add all the pigs together. Even with all the pigs added to the story, they each appear to have their own personalities. The illustrations show such great expressions every time Mr. Jenkins finds more pigs in the pool as well as the joy of a day laying in the pool. If your child is looking for more math fun, the end of the book includes more math activities.

This book would make a great read-aloud for a classroom. If your child is struggling with math, make it fun by reading this book with them.

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super cute picture book filled with pool party-crashing pigs who know how to have a good time.

This book is also meant to introduce the concepts of addition and/or doubling. However, unless the reader is older and already has a grasp of the fundamentals of addition and the concept of doubling, the illustrated number sentences (ex. 4 + 4 = 8) on each spread may not make much sense. Because the author's text only mentions the number of new pigs *joining* the party, and not how many pigs have already been in the pool AND how many new pigs are joining, the concept might seem a little confusing. That said, littles will love counting all the adorable fun-loving piggies, as well as become familiar with what a math sentence looks like.

[Marilyn Wolpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Hinote Lanier has written a delightful tale of swine and swimming. Join Mr. Jenkins in his pool – or maybe don’t – because there is a doubling of pigs in his pool as the week progresses leading to disaster. Rather than a counting book, this book doubles the pig count exponentially. With amusing art by Iris Amaya that makes you look, then look again and laugh. Back matter reinforces the math concepts.

[Shan Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

“No pigs in the pool except Wanda and Percy” lol a pig named Percy, who wouldn’t ever thought lol

This was a funny book, not only was it humorous its a great book to practice counting! Large additions, and even a great tool and guide to explain the idea of multiplication even though the book states addition problems.

I read this to my toddler and will def be checking it out again for her to read. I may even buy my own copy as this seems like a great tool to practice and discuss math

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child-sized math lesson in a splashy disguise? I'm in.

Bonus teaching point: This the first kid's picture book I've seen with equations. (More than one equation, actually.)

What a fine-and-friendly way to introduce children to math concepts! FIVE STARS are joyfully given to this book and its encouragement to have fun with numbers.

[Mindy Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pigs double in Mr. Jenkin's pool each day making this a perfect book for counting and math fun. I also loved it when they played Marco Pinko. The end pages have some excellent math activity ideas for you and your child.

[Clementine · Rating 3 out of 5]

very silly fun - this would work for a counting storytime for older kids

[Chari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious with amazing illustrations!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

good math book. very silly lots of pigs in the pool

[LS Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a great math picture book! This one is quite funny and I think young readers will enjoy it. It also encourages readers to predict what might happen next and that is always fun to watch.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book about counting, but the story was really nothing new. The illustrations were really cute also, and I could 4-6 year olds thinking this book is pretty funny.

[Tracy Rietmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute, well-written story with a mathematical bonus! Highly recommended for young readers and read-alouds.

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

An increasing number of pigs join Mr. Jenkins in his pool every day. Preschool and up

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute way to visual how fast doubled numbers grow. Cross-curricular readaloud possibilities for sure!

[Ann Haefele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute picture book about a generous offer to swim that gets out of hand. Basic math addition is included relating to how many pigs are now in the pool.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This silly story introduces math concepts, and the illustrations are quirky and fun.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preschool and school-age
Maths

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: pigs, math, summertime/pools, humor
Ages: preK-2nd grade
Pub year: 2022

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book with a building problem that would appeal to young readers. The art is a great accompaniment to the story. Math elements are a nice bonus.

[Jacob Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1. This was a fun book for me and the little one.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun story filled with a math lesson on doubling numbers. It is always more fun for children to learn when they have a story to go with the lesson- we remember the story and that reminds us of the lesson.