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Hogwash!
He washed the horses, ducks and cows
The goats, the cats and dogs.
Everything went dandy...
Until the farmer reached his hogs.
"No hogwash for us today. Pigs love dirt - so go away!"
Farmer's stubborn pigs refuse to be hogwashed, and no matter what he tries, poor Farmer cannot trick them into getting clean! But when several failed attempts leave him stuck in the mud, our determined farmer realizes his hogs may have been on to something all along... sometimes a mud bath is even better!
New York Times best-selling author Karma Wilson's clever rhyming verse will engage parents and kids alike as Jim McMullan's illustrations bring to life these delightfully mischievous pigs with a penchant for all things muddy!
The goats, the cats and dogs.
Everything went dandy...
Until the farmer reached his hogs.
"No hogwash for us today. Pigs love dirt - so go away!"
Farmer's stubborn pigs refuse to be hogwashed, and no matter what he tries, poor Farmer cannot trick them into getting clean! But when several failed attempts leave him stuck in the mud, our determined farmer realizes his hogs may have been on to something all along... sometimes a mud bath is even better!
New York Times best-selling author Karma Wilson's clever rhyming verse will engage parents and kids alike as Jim McMullan's illustrations bring to life these delightfully mischievous pigs with a penchant for all things muddy!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2011
2 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Karma Wilson
102 books523 followersKarma Wilson grew up an only child of a single mother in the wilds of North Idaho. Way back then (just past the stone age and somewhat before the era of computers) there was no cable TV and if there had been Karma could not have recieved it. TV reception was limited to 3 channels, of which one came in with some clarity. Karma did the only sensible thing a lonely little girl could do…she read or played outdoors.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
October 8, 2017
When the farmer got a wonderful idea about washing all the animals, he was not expecting such protest from the pigs. No matter what he tried, those hogs refused to be washed. Try as he might, there was no way to trick the curly-tailed porkers. Even his most conniving plan went awry and he ended up inside the pen, covered in mud. It was then that he had an epiphany and ended up seeing just how much fun life with in the mud. Neo got a good laugh out of the story and could not believe that those pigs could be so smart. In the end, it was the realisation that the farmer could not win that had Neo in stitches. A great way to end his day.
June 24, 2013
Big favorite in our family, as I read at the dinner table with my husband and three children eating dinner. Probably considered a level 2 reading book, the rhyming was both original and a blast to read. The pigs turned out to be smarter than the farmer and the whole story concept was surprisingly unique. The kids loved that the pigs refused to take a bath and I loved how all the way til the end the cat still refrained from the general opinion of the crowd. A great book and one we'll be reading again.
February 24, 2019
This is a rhyming story of mud-loving hogs and the farmer determined to give them a bath.
See Horseplay! for another farmer vs the animals story by the same author.
See Horseplay! for another farmer vs the animals story by the same author.
September 3, 2021
Karma Wilson's books are always a pleasure to read, and this one is just fun and silly. As a story about a farmer who wants to wash all his animals and the hogs who have another idea, this would pair perfectly with Mrs. Wishy-Washy.
Hats off to the illustrator, Jim McMullan, as well. I couldn't help but laugh when the farmer disguised himself as a pizza deliveryman and put a "pizza" ball cap on top of his cowboy hat. Nice try, lol.
Hats off to the illustrator, Jim McMullan, as well. I couldn't help but laugh when the farmer disguised himself as a pizza deliveryman and put a "pizza" ball cap on top of his cowboy hat. Nice try, lol.
May 9, 2022
My Kindergarteners loved this book. Second graders? Not so much.
July 6, 2023
KW does an amazing job of rhyming and telling a story. This book was fun but there was a plane crash (albeit with a happy ending), so this book might not be for everyone. The pigs were a hoot and the farmer was creative. I loved this, and would read more by this author.
November 28, 2011
Another fun rhyming book by one of my favorite children's book authors.
"One warm day in early May,
Farmer had a plan
To spring-clean all his animals
Till each was spic 'n' span."
And he has no trouble washing his horses, ducks, cows, goats, cats and dog. But the hogs? When he goes to the pigpen, he sees that the pigs have made a sign:
"No hogwash
For us today
Pigs love dirt-
So go away!"
And the battle is on. Will Farmer be able to complete his spring cleaning? Or are there other surprises ahead? Fun illustrations make this a delightfully silly book.
"One warm day in early May,
Farmer had a plan
To spring-clean all his animals
Till each was spic 'n' span."
And he has no trouble washing his horses, ducks, cows, goats, cats and dog. But the hogs? When he goes to the pigpen, he sees that the pigs have made a sign:
"No hogwash
For us today
Pigs love dirt-
So go away!"
And the battle is on. Will Farmer be able to complete his spring cleaning? Or are there other surprises ahead? Fun illustrations make this a delightfully silly book.
January 10, 2014
Somehow, reading it aloud managed to evoke a fairly terrible "country western farmer" accent that I didn't know I had.
July 19, 2021
Would have given it 5 stars if it did not include the word gosh. Very cute story and I love the rhyming.
April 9, 2020
Fun and silly bath time book, centered around a bunch of pigs and their farmer. While the rest of the animals have taken part in the Spring Cleaning on the farm, the pigs are refusing their baths. The rhyming rolls easily (something I always love about Karma Wilson's books) and I love how the pigs' signs roll right into the narrative rhymes.
A fun book too pull out for storytimes on farms and farm animals (especially pigs) or for bath times (would love to pair it with The Pigeon Needs a Bath! or similar books!). Maybe pair it with a messier craft or something with bubbles?
A fun book too pull out for storytimes on farms and farm animals (especially pigs) or for bath times (would love to pair it with The Pigeon Needs a Bath! or similar books!). Maybe pair it with a messier craft or something with bubbles?
September 2, 2022
This book Hogwash is a cute book about change and being okay with things not working out how you want them to workout. The farmer just wanted everything clean but that did not end up working out and he was mad and trying to do anything he could to make it work. Then he realized he could not do it so he tried to make it work with what he had.
I feel that this book would be good for kids in third grade especially when teaching them and showing them rhyming. This book includes different kind of rhymes which is good for children to learn. I feel that this book is good for children who have a harder time reading because it uses easier words and includes site words. Great book for read aloud.
I feel that this book would be good for kids in third grade especially when teaching them and showing them rhyming. This book includes different kind of rhymes which is good for children to learn. I feel that this book is good for children who have a harder time reading because it uses easier words and includes site words. Great book for read aloud.
June 12, 2017
fun Rhyme and Rhythm. It was easy an entertaining to read out loud.
September 15, 2017
Very fun read - aloud; cute pictures.
December 22, 2017
One of my favs by this author... funny book that my children and I liked a lot.
June 16, 2018
The farmer just can't get the pigs to take a bath although he keeps trying. cute and funny. preschool and up
August 6, 2018
Not as enjoyable for me as Noni the Pony.
March 26, 2019
4, 5, 6, and 7 year olds liked this one. Silly story, rhyming text, surprise ending, and first graders had fun reading the pigs' signs.
March 26, 2019
cute sotry
lotsa rhyme
illustrations could be better
lotsa rhyme
illustrations could be better
March 27, 2019
My kids (biological, not classroom) always loved this from the library. I do like Karma Wilson, her rhyming ways and the illustrations in this book are pretty good.
September 3, 2019
Lots of activity and foolishness for a 4 year old to enjoy with her grandmother. The book does not encourage bathing-beware!
February 24, 2021
Almost 3 yr old thinks it's hilarious
March 13, 2023
Pretty generic, but cute. Nice illustrations!
July 24, 2023
I love this book!
September 7, 2023
A farmer tries to wash his obstinate pigs but with a surprise ending.
October 20, 2024
This is a family favorite. This book is so funny and perfect for any person who loves pigs or just laugh out loud comedy.
March 3, 2025
Fun and funny. A farmer needs to wash the pigs, but the pigs are very opposed to this. The farmer tries all kinds of tricks, but to no avail. I enjoyed the illustrations.
August 11, 2025
Farmer decided one May day that his farm animals all needed a spring-cleaning. He scrubbed clean his horses, cows, ducks, and all others - except for his hogs. The hogs would not allow it! No matter what he tried Farmer could not persuade them to be washed free of their mud. When he resorted to using his crop duster an accident changed his perspective about the whole thing. Funny rhyming text and illustrations.
February 25, 2017
A farmer tries to clean all his animals but his pigs are NOT having it. This book kept myself and my daughter entertained with the antics of this farmer and his dirty pigs. The illustrations were great as well. Would recommend.
August 1, 2012
One spring day Farmer decides his animals all need a good cleaning. He gets everyone except the pigs. The pigs want nothing to do with being clean. They foil all attempts made by Farmer to get them clean. Farmer tries spraying water into the pig pen but that just makes more mud. Then he tries delivering a pizza but the pigs see right through that. Finally Farmer loads up his crop plane with suds but finds he didn't put any gas in the plane.
When he crash lands in the pig sty he learns that mud can be extremely fun. So instead of getting the pigs clean, Farmer learns that it's more fun to take a mud bath!
When he crash lands in the pig sty he learns that mud can be extremely fun. So instead of getting the pigs clean, Farmer learns that it's more fun to take a mud bath!
September 12, 2016
thought this was really cute. farmer sets out to wash his animals, doesn't have any luck with his pigs. cute story. felt like the rhyming was weird. you would get into the rhythm of it and then one line would be off. I didn't like the two parts with "hammed it up"- yes the phrase fits pigs,but it almost seemed thrown in. would read again and enjoy it, but wouldn't buy unless my kid, for some reason said it was their favorite (I don't think that will happen though). my favorite part was "sudsy ammunition" and some of the things the pigs say. one was something like, "keep your soap and bucket, bud/ thanks for making all this mud".
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews