The Pig Who Ran a Red Light

by Paul Brett Johnson

paperback book

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Juvenile, Humor

27 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Paul Brett was a painter and children’s book writer/illustrator who grew up in the small town of Mousie, Kentucky, in Knott County. He was asked once in an interview to locate Mousie. He said: “Mousie is over there around Onion Blade, Dismal, Possum Trot, Sassafras, and Right and Left Beaver. But, if you haven’t been to Knott County, you may not be able to locate those places, either.”
That response was quintessential Paul Brett Johnson, a man of deep humor, good will, and immense artistic talent who honored his mountain upbringing in his work. Because he showed talent as a young child, his parents secured art lessons for him, and he made drawing and painting his life’s work.
After nearly a decade of trying to break through in the children’s book market, he finally saw success in 1993 with the release of The Cow Who Wouldn’t Come Down, a School Library Journal Best Book, an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, and one of the New York Public Library's "One Hundred Books for Reading and Sharing." He eventually produced two companion books of these funny, outrageous tales of a farm woman and her adventurous animals, The Goose Who Went Off in a Huff, and The Pig Who Ran a Red Light. His art was whimsical, colorful, and full of motion that delighted children and adults alike. He was most fond of giving animals a sly (and hilarious) sense of humor and keen intelligence—traits that often matched his own. Eventually he wrote and illustrated over 20 books for children and served as illustrator for several other children’s book writers including George Ella Lyon, James Still, and Margaret Hodges.

Reviews

[Maris Welgat · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Pig Who Ran a Red Light" by Paul Brett Johnson is a delightful story of crazy animals on a farm with their farmer Miss Rosemary. More specifically, George the pig is envious that his friend Gertrude the cow can fly. George is struggling internally and wants to be anything, but a pig. Because of this, he spontaneously not only drives a car, but on the wrong side of the road! Back at the farm on day, George sees Gertrude playing in the mug and decides that it looks like fun. He joins in and instantly feels happiness. Constantly throughout the story, Miss Rosemary is reminding George to be himself and that it's okay to be unique from the other animals. This message could really resonate with children who struggle to be themselves and accept that their uniqueness is beautiful. I enjoyed the aspects of onomatopoeia and animals sounds included. This book would be best suited for any and all ages!

[Amy Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those be yourself tales involving a pig that is just silly all around. Gertrude the flying cow can do many amazing things and George the pig attempts to do likewise but with less success. The farmer tries to explain to George how he shouldn't act silly trying to be like Gertrude and to just be himself. However, it was kind of a mixed message because for the prodigy Gertrude being bovine isn't good enough for her, and that doesn't seem to be questioned. Regardless it made my son smile, especially the goose at the end.

[Karli Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pigs who can drive... or can they??? This book is a fun, simple read for kids. The illustrations are detailed and captivating and they keep the reader's focus from page-to-page.

[Jessica Pinnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a silly short farm animal story

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!!!

[Chance Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing and reductive retread of the insane previous story about the flying cow. The "moral" is antiquated by today's standards, and maybe even for 1999.

[Taylor Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pigs are my favorite barn animals and I think this story is so cute. Being yourself is the best, don't change just because others are.

[Mabelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo ame.

[Eric Summers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously the author is trying to tell a story about being happy with who you are and not being jealous of others. The books first page is actually pretty amazing in the way that it just matter-of-factly lets you know that the cow on the farm can fly.

Unfortunately it goes downhill pretty fast. The story does not carry the theme in a way that will be comprehensible to young children. Whoever reads this book to their kids or students will have to take time to explain what the book was trying to say. Also, the book does not leave any room open for the fact that is is OKAY to look to others for inspiration and role models. It simply says "if you're a pig, act like a pig and get over it."

On a positive note, the illustrations are fun and imaginative.

[Kandice Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Rosemary has a pig who does not like acting like a pig. He is always trying to act like her cow named Gertrude. After the pig; steels her car, runs a red light, and gets a ticket, Miss Rosemary is fed up. She wants the pig to act like himself and stop trying to be like somebody else. Miss Rosemary has Gertrude begin to act like a pig to trick the pig into doing pig like activities. The pig finally starts to act like a pig again. Kids would enjoy this book because it is humorous. This would be a great book to use in a classroom to show children that they should always bee proud of who they are and try to only be themselves, nobody else.

[Katie Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book to read! Young readers will enjoy the farm animals and the silly things they do. They may not pick up on the message about being okay with who you are, so you may need to preface the story with a little explanation. Cute story, just not the greatest.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

George the pig is trying to emulate Gertrude the cow (who is doing some very un-cowlike things, such as flying). This causes Miss Rosemary no end of trouble. So she devises a plan to get George to act like a pig again.

Illustrations are okay - colorful.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

after george the pig gets a ticket driving miss rosemary's pickup, she gets him to imitate the cow to improve his behavior. it was just okay.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute story

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 2-yr-old loved pointing out the farm animals and trucks/tractors while my 4-yr-old loved that the animals are saying the wrong sounds and driving trucks. And I thought it was fun to read. :)

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pig who copies everything a cow does learns to be himself.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had potential, but fell pretty flat.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story about cute pig who tries to be a cow. The pig must learn to be true to himself. I loved the pictures, very colorful.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the dedication states: "To those who have sometimes wished to be somebody else."

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute way to talk about behavior, and not trying to be something that you're not.