Status Updates From Babe: The Gallant Pig

Some parts of this book shows its age at times with both its language and certain messaging that could offend or be harmful without careful considerations and discussions. And if you're not up for that with your child, may be better to pass on this.

Lucky me pipsqueak's too young to even know what I'm saying.

Finished Chapter 11, where the day of the Sheep-Dog trails is upon our titular pig, as Babe, Fly & Farmer Hogget goes to the competition.

Looks like we have come to the final step of Farmer Hoggat’s plan which is so crazy, yet it just might work… as long as he doesn’t get disqualified on the spot.

Finished Chapter 10, where Babe trains for the big day, while fly checks on some sheep.

We have got ourselves a bit of a breather episode, after the dramatic nature of the previous two chapters, and the final part of the story where the Dog trails take place. It all comes down to this, as Babe trains himself up to achieve an impossible dream, and Farmer Hoggert devises a plan to let Babe enter the Dog Trails.

Finished Chapter 9, where Babe is nearly sent out to pasture, but is saved by a bunch of good news.

Well, this is one way to bring a glimmer of hope for not only Babe, but also for Farmer Hoggert, Fly, and the flock of sheep near the Hoggert’s farm. If this pig can do good things, he will be handsomely rewarded.

Finished Chapter 8, where a sheep-dog corse is set up for Babe, and when he visits the sheep, he comes across a terrible sight.

Looks like Babe is learning to train for the big leagues, but not before the most heart-rending scene in the book. I’m not going to spoil what happens, but it involves a pig’s old friend.

Finished chapters 6 & 7, where Babe gets his first herding job from Farmer Haggert, and experiences what the sheep dog “trials” are like.

I just want to note something, there is a bit of hidden character development with Farmer Hoggert that I enjoy, at the beginning, he gets the pig to hopefully fatten it up for a meal, but when he sees that Babe has an interest in herding sheep, he decides to let him do it.

Finished Chapter 5, where the old sheep, Ma, has been cured. A few days later, when Fly & Farmer Hoggat goes away for a while, Babe decides to pay Ma a visit, but comes across a threatening sight.

Well, looks like Babe will be our unexpected hero of the evening. He learns from the best, like Fly, and hears other people’s opinions, like Ma. It goes to show that a little pig can make a big difference.

Finished Chapter 4, where, after a failed attempt at herding ducks, Babe continues to learn a bit more from Fly. Then, he meets an old sheep and strikes up a very interesting conversation.

Look what we have here, it appears that this is a book about learning each animal is more than their stereotypes & fates. Babe’s dream of becoming a sheep-pig is a long road, but he learns more about the Sheep’s point of view.

Finished Chapters 2 & 3, where Babe is Carrie’s to the farm where Fly, the collie mother, and her pups comes across him and takes a liking to the swine, even if she withholds the details about the pigs usual fate.

I see where this story is going now. I think this book has themes about adoption, foster parenting, and big dreams. I do like how vibrant the story is, focusing on light drama then animal shenanigans.

There was a VHS I watched repeatedly that ran the Babe trailer before it when I was a kid. Enough that I recall that trailer vividly.

I can't believe the line "Mom, he'll wet the bed." was an actual line in the book and not one made up for the movie.

Started reading Babe, the children’s book that was adapted into a movie from Chris Noonan. In the first chapter, Farmer Hogget goes to a fair and guesses a pigs weight.

Well, this is a small start. While I do appreciate the small introduction to our human characters, there is a sense that Babe could or could not be the main star of the show. I’m not sure, but I’ll give this book a few pages.

Took the pipsqueak to the library and came home with this damn book because it's on my TBR and there isn't a copy of this book on Libby. It's 9 chapters so if I read a chapter to him every night (with Pearls, which I at least own) to pip it should be finished quickly.

What a delightful book!