Piggybook

By Anthony Browne

This story is an interesting one for a children's book. It begins with a father and two sons who live in a nice house, with a nice garden, and have a nice car in the nice garage. However, the tone quickly changes when they begin talking about mom. Mrs. Piggott constantly does all the chores and is talked down to. One day, she decides to leave. She leaves a note that says "You are pigs." The father and sons are forced to fend for themselves, and they don't do a very good job. The illustrations add another layer of tone to this story. The pictures of the father and sons are bright, happy, and colorful. Those of Mrs. Piggott are dark and dreary. You never see her face, and she is never in an illustration with her family. We don't see Mrs. Piggott in color, or in the same frame as her family until she returns and they beg her forgiveness.

I thought this was an interesting topic for a children's book. I wouldn't have normally expected it. During the time when Mrs. Piggott leaves, her family become illustrated as pigs. I think this part of the story will have children laughing!