The Prince and the Porker

by Peter Bently (Author) David Roberts (Illustrator)

The Prince and the Porker
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Pignatius was passing the palace one day, when he saw ten fresh buns left to cool on a tray . . . When Pignatius sees fresh pastries cooling on the windowsill of the palace kitchen, he's tempted to try them. Surely, the cook won't miss just one. But Pignatius's greed gets the better of him, and he eats all the buns before sneaking into the palace in search of more treats.

Before long, he finds himself in the prince's room trying on a wig and some clothes, and the servants mistake him for the real prince! When the actual prince returns, Pignatius fears the worst, but the prince saves Pignatius's bacon instead. It turns out that the prince has always wanted a double to deal with a particularly frightening problem--his aunt Alice!

This hilarious reimagining of Mark Twain's classic The Prince and the Pauper is sure to make kids laugh with its clever rhyming text and delicious, dessert-filled illustrations by New York Times bestselling illustrator David Roberts.

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School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--A picture book play on The Prince and the Pauper. Bently's story, told in tongue-tickling rhyme, follows Pignatius, a pig, as he goes about achieving his goal of having some delicious snacks. In the palace, the porker's resemblance to the royal allows him to impersonate the prince and feast on endless desserts. Inset, framed illustrations; scrollwork; and battalions of soldiers add plenty of fun visual details. Pignatius fares well after he's discovered by the prince. (One might even suspect that the prince knew all along.) Deciding that a double could come in handy when unpleasant Aunt Alice comes to visit, the prince permits Pignatius to remain at the palace and continue his feasting. VERDICT This tale will appeal to both younger and older picture book readers and fans of seriously silly titles such as Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.--Paige Mellinger, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

One morning, a pig named Pignatius eats 10 buns he finds cooling outside the palace, dips inside to explore, then flees the outraged cook: "The bedroom was splendid. The pig was impressed./ He chuckled, 'There's even a dressing-up chest!' " When Pignatius dons the blue satin suit and frizzy red wig he finds stored there, he looks enough like the palace's prince to fool the staff: "The cook is mistaken, it's quite clear to see./ Now what does Your Highness desire for his tea?" Between the time that Pignatius discovers that he can pass for the prince and the moment the real prince returns, Pignatius enjoys himself thoroughly, eating whatever he likes and ordering the palace soldiers about. Unlike other trading-places fables, neither the prince nor Pignatius is especially virtuous, a fact mirrored in Roberts's (Ada Twist, Scientist) sly visual parallel between the piggy prince and the princely pig. Bently's (Captain Jack and the Pirates) cheeky verse never stumbles, and Roberts has rousing fun with classic set pieces: trays of treats, palace luxury, angry servants, and straight-faced guards. Delectable, mischievous fun. Ages 5-7. (Mar.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Bently's rhymed reworking of the Mark Twain classic is appropriately silly; young readers should identify with Pignatius' curiosity and mischief. Roberts' elegant yet loopy illustrations—in watercolors, pen, and ink—are a big enhancement." — "Kirkus"
Peter Bently
Peter Bently is the award-winning author of many books for children. He has been a journalist and a nonfiction book editor, but writing stories for children is the job he has enjoyed the most. Peter has two children and lives in London with his wife and daughter.

Steven Lenton is an award-winning illustrator of books for children, including Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, written by Tracey Corderoy. He loves to visit schools, festivals, and bookshops, encouraging and inspiring his audience to draw, giggle, and create! He has worked as an animator and art director for children's television. He lives in Brighton, England.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781419723124
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Harry N. Abrams
Publication date
March 20, 2017
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV012040 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | Adaptations
JUV050000 - Juvenile Fiction | Cooking & Food
Library of Congress categories
Pigs
Swine
Behavior
Stories in rhyme
Conduct of life
Princes
Mistaken identity
Horn Book Guide

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