Wilbur, Poppleton, Olivia, and more—there are many delightful pigs in children's literature. Here are some of my favorite picture books and early readers for fans of our porcine friends to enjoy.

Picture Books

Huff and Puff  by Claudia Rueda

Loosely based on the folktale about the three little pigs, these three pigs have a different surprise for the wolf who is trying to blow their houses down, as readers are asked to huff and puff to help the Wolf.

 

 

Julius by Angela Johnson; illustrated by Dav Pilkey

Maya and Julius, the pig her grandfather brings her from Alaska, learn about fun and sharing together.

 

 

 

 

I Love You Like a Pig  by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

A celebration of the madcap ways that friends care about each other.

 

 

 

 

If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff; illustrated by Felicia Bond

Readers will delight in the story of an accommodating little girl who tries to keep up with the whims of a busy little pig.

Fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will love this perfect addition to the series!

 

 

Meet Wild Boars by Meg Rosoff and Sophie Blackall

It is very hard to be friends with wild boars because they are dirty and smelly, bad-tempered, and rude.

 

 

The Mellops Go Diving for Treasure by Tomi Ungerer

One day Mr. Mellops finds a dusty old trunk in his attic, and before they know it, the family are embarking on a journey of discovery. But treasure is not the only thing waiting for these intrepid pigs below the ocean's surface.

 

Olivia by Ian Falconer

Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good. If you like Olivia, we have more titles in this popular series.

 

 

 

A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Could anything possibly be more fun than a pig parade!? You wouldn't think so. But you'd be wrong. A pig parade is a terrible idea. Pigs hate to march, refuse to wear the uniforms, don't care about floats, and insist on playing country music ballads. Those are just some of the reasons—this hysterical book has plenty more!

 

 

 A Piglet Named Mercy  by Kate DiCamilo; illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson live ordinary lives. Sometimes their lives feel a bit too ordinary. Sometimes they wish something different would happen. And one day it does, when someone unpredictable finds her way to their front door. In a delightful origin story for the star of the Mercy Watson series, a tiny piglet brings love (and chaos) to Deckawoo Drive and the Watsons' lives will never be the same.

 

Pig Pig Meets the Lion  by David McPhail

Pig Pig wakes up one morning to a BIG surprise. While Mama makes breakfast, Pig Pig and the lion run down the stairs, through the kitchen, over the furniture, and romp around the house. An unexpected friendship is forged in this playful story. But will the lion be able to stay, or will the two new friends be separated forever?

 

 

Pigs to the Rescue by John Himmelman

Farmer Greenstalk and his family have the darnedest luck. Broken-down tractors, kites stuck in trees—they're always having problems! This time around, the pigs want to pitch in, and boy, do they ever! The Greenstalks soon find, though, that life might just be a little easier withouttheir help…
 

Peppa Pig and the Library Visit 

Peppa and George are tired of all their regular bedtime stories. The only book they haven’t read is Daddy’s library book, The Wonderful World of Concrete. . . what a snooze! It’s overdue anyway, so the family sets out for Peppa’s very first visit to a library. With so many books to choose from, how will Peppa ever decide which ones to borrow? Bedtime will never be boring again!

The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book begins placidly (and familiarly) enough, with three pigs collecting materials and going off to build houses of straw, sticks, and bricks. But the wolf's huffing and puffing blows the first pig right out of the story...and into the realm of pure imagination. The transition signals the start of a freewheeling adventure with characteristic David Wiesner effects' cinematic flow, astonishing shifts of perspective, and sly humor, as well as episodes of flight.

Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie

Toot and Puddle are best friends with very different interests, so when Toot spends the year traveling around the world, Puddle enjoys receiving his postcards.

 

 

 

 

Early Readers

Amanda Pig and the Wiggly Tooth by Jean Van Leeuwen; illustrated by Anne Schweninger

Not wanting her father to pull out her tooth, Amanda Pig patiently waits for it to fall out on its own, but when it does and then goes missing, Amanda worries that the Tooth Fairy won't come to her home if there is no tooth to put under the pillow when bedtime comes.

 

 

 

 Hog on a Log by Janee Trasler

Dog and Frogs are enjoying riding a log in the pond, but then Hog comes along and is not willing to share the log, or the lunch Dog has made. Hog wants it all, so Dog and Frogs need to teach Hog a lesson about friendship and sharing.

 

 

 

Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Mark Teague

Complemented by story prompts and how-to-draw instructions, an early reader introduction to posh and persnickety pig Poppleton finds him greeting a new neighbor, visiting the library to read adventure stories and helping a sick friend. 

 

 

Small Pig by Arnold Lobel

Because the farmer's wife insists on cleaning his mud puddle, a little pig runs away to the city where he becomes permanently stuck in what he thought was a mud puddle.

 

 

 

 

There is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems

Everyone loves the Elephant and Piggie books. In this delightful book Gerald the Elephant discovers that there is something worse than a bird on your head‚ two birds on your head! Piggie is there to offer helpful commentary.

 

 

 

What This Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig by Emma J. Virján

Pig embarks on an exciting boat ride and discovers that life is more fun with friends, in a cumulative story that features such giggle-inducing characters as a dog on a log and a skunk on a trunk.

 

 

 

Bonus Book

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White; pictures by Garth Williams

Although not a picture book or early reader, no literary list of pigs would be complete without Charlotte's Web. The immortal friendship of Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider continues to enthrall generation after generation of children. A tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

 

 

 

 

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Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.