Booklist (January 1, 2012 (Vol. 108, No. 9))Preschool-Grade 2. Liam is a piglet with “the kind of problem that is called heartbreaking”: he wants to be the Easter Bunny, but instead of floppy ears and a spring in his step, he has triangular lobes and trotters. His family is generally unsympathetic to the cause; his big sister tells him to “deal with it.” Luckily, Grandma knows that with just the right costume, ordered online, a heartbreaking problem can become a fixable one. Some of the humor in the text may tickle adults more than kids (e.g.,“Hello, my name is Liam, and I’ll be your Easter Bunny”), but Tankard (Grumpy Bird, 2007) extends the laughs with his broad-brushstroke digital illustrations. A piglet with a belly button is funny enough, but Dad’s mustache and Grandma’s oversize glasses are the real snort inducers. Picture books about pigs and bunnies are perennial kid favorites, and this one, which contains nice sentiments about believing in yourself, is likely to be enjoyed long after the Easter Bunny’s departure.Horn Book (Fall 2012)Pig Liam's parents aren't exactly thrilled with his aspirations: "Hello, my name is Liam and I�ll be your Easter Bunny." His big sister has even less patience: "You are a piglet . . . Deal with it." Fortunately, Liam's grandparents (and the Internet) lend a hand in this laugh-out-loud celebration of individuality and imagination. Eye-catching illustrations feature bold black outlines and whimsical touches (Dad sports a handlebar mustache).Kirkus Reviews (March 1, 2012)Another entry in the well-populated genre of animals that experience an existential crisis features a pig who wants to be the Easter Bunny. Liam the piglet practices hopping and delivering eggs. He tries to like salad. And he copes with his siblings, who tease him, and his parents, who offer lots of advice about what a perfect piglet son he is, without any need for change. His grandparents, however, are more supportive of his unusual ambition, and they provide him with an Easter Bunny suit. (They order it from the Internet, as they are modern grandparents who don't do homemade costumes.) The costume isn't perfect, but it gives Liam the confidence to believe in his transformation, and others then accept his new role as well. The understated conclusion could even be interpreted to mean that Liam becomes the Easter Bunny, but each reader can decide what Liam's role really means. Simple cartoon-style illustrations with thick black outlines are set off against bright backgrounds with lots of pink accents playing up the porcine premise. Though the believe-in-yourself theme has been told in many ways, Liam holds his own with his quiet determination. Who can resist a piglet who introduces himself with "Hello, my name is Liam and I'll be your Easter Bunny"? (Picture book. 3-6)Publishers Weekly (March 5, 2012)A small piglet with a big dream-to be the Easter Bunny-will have readers laughing out loud in this spunky outing about self-esteem. Liam is not good at hopping, doesn't like salad, fumbles egg deliveries, and doesn't have much family support. But with help from his Web-savvy Grandma, Liam achieves his cotton-tailed vision. Vail excels at conveying childlike emotions and a realistic family dynamic ("You are a piglet... Deal with it," says Liam's sister). Liam's perseverance and his parents' steadfast support provide a welcome, positive undertone, while Tankard's stocky, black-lined pigs pop off the pages. Ages 4-6. Agent: Amy Berkower, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.School Library Journal (January 1, 2012)K-Gr 1-Liam is a piglet who wants to be the Easter Bunny when he grows up. He practices hopping, eating salad, and delivering eggs in order to convince everyone that he is serious. His friends stare at him because he doesn't look like a bunny and his sister, who is not sure her family even believes in the Easter Bunny, tells him, "you are a piglet, deal with it." His parents try to convince him that they love him just the way he is. Liam is heartbroken that his family and friends do not believe he can accomplish his goal until his grandparents help him to find a solution to his problem-they buy him an Easter Bunny suit on the Internet-and everyone believes in him. Tankard's characteristic bold black lines outline his anthropomorphic pigs, and pastel-colored backgrounds reflect Liam's mood. Young children who play dress up dreaming of being someone else may enjoy the grandparents' support and Liam's transformation; however, not all identity crises can be solved by putting on a suit. Unfortunately, this venture into individuality falls flat.-Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Rachel Vail did an outstanding job with this story. The pictures were appealing to the eyes as well as the mood of the text. This pig was unlike the rest. He had dreams of becoming the Easter Bunny. This story had an underlying message of the importance of self worth and self identity. It would be perfect to read to a class learning about bullying or teasing others because they are different than the rest.
What do You think about Piggy Bunny (2012)?
I really wanted to like this book but it felt like something was missing.
—tara
Cute story about accepting yourself and not giving up on your dreams!
—killz11399
