Pigs Might Fly

by Jonathan Emmett, Steve Cox (Illustrator)

A fast-paced adventure, inspired by the traditional story of "The Three Little Pigs", in which the brave trio attempt to outwit the Big Bad Wolf for the second time, this time by winning the 'Pie in the Sky Air Race'. Each pig builds a plane, out of straw, sticks and...not bricks, but metal. In a fit of frustration, the wolf leaps out of his plane and onto the back of the pigs' plane, just at the moment that the cleverest pig is testing out the rocket booster. The wolf shoots off into the great blue yonder and the pigs shoot over the finishing line.
Winner of the Books for Younger Children category of the Red House Children's Books Award 2006.

Genres: Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Jonathan Emmett was born in Leicestershire in 1965, the son of a factory fitter and a primary school teacher.

Jonathan loved books from an early age and some of his earliest memories are of visiting his local library. The picture books that he borrowed then, including Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss and Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson have had a great influence on the picture books that he now writes.

It was while Jonathan was at college, studying architecture, that he first started developing his own illustrated texts, illustrating poems and lyrics that he’d written. Pleased with the results, he found himself spending more and more time on writing and illustration. Although he qualified as an architect, he found the job unsatisfying and began pursuing a career in children's books in his spare time, eventually going full-time in 1995, a few months before his thirtieth birthday.

As well as writing picture books such as Bringing Down the Moon, Someone Bigger, Pigs Might Fly and Ruby Flew Too, Jonathan also writes and paper-engineers pop-up books. His books have won several awards including the Red House Children’s Book Award “Book for Younger Children” for Pigs Might Fly and the Kiekeboekprijs for Bringing Down the Moon.

He now lives in Nottingham with his wife, Rachel, and children, Max and Laura.

You can visit Jonathan’s website atjonathanemmett.com

Reviews

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lystikäs mukaelma kolmesta pienestä porsaasta ja isosta pahasta sudesta, jotka ottavat osaa lentokilpailuun. Kaksi ensimmäistä haluavat tietenkin rakentaa lentokoneensa risuista ja oljista, eikä niistä ole vastusta susihukan hävittäjäkoneelle...

Loistava satutuntikirja!

[Hannah Lightning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wondered what happened to the three little pigs? Did they learn by their mistakes...
The story begins with more constructions out of straw and sticks and bricks. All three pigs decide to enter a flying competition and stick to what they know best (opportunity to use prediction here). Did Wilbur (the smart pig) build his plane out of bricks? NO, he's much to smart for that. He took his time planning a magnificent metal airplane. However, the story also features the villainous wolf, who all the time is spying on the pigs planning his revenge!
I love the fact that the wolf disguises himself in a sheepskin coat, really funny.
Links to the traditional story 'not by the hairs on my chinny chin chin' 'little pig, little pig, let me win'- here the book can be used along side the original to see similarity and difference for themselves. Children can also create their own airplanes (materials) or use role-play to re create the story during play (traditional story and this picture book story). Great ending and chance to discuss as a class if they can spot what happened to the 'sore loser' (wolf parachute caught in the tree).

[Monica Ver Meer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This clever take-off on the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs has the pigs, and the wolf, enter in a airplane flying contest. Each pig builds their plane out of their "classic" material and a wild race against the wolf ensues. This story was a fun way to connect to the original story and kept my students on their toes!

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luke absolutely loves this book. Plenty of giggles from the hapless pigs and a dastardly wolf that doesn't learn from his mistakes.

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possut vauhdissa uusissa seikkailuissa. Mukana tietenkin myös iso paha susi.