Pigs Alphabet

Who's the biggest pig of all? That's what best friends Pinkerton and Prue, two feisty and competitive porkers, try to determine when they hold a 26-course eating contest to see who has the most voracious appetite. In this beguiling poem disguised as an alphabet book, the porcine palates are tempted by an array of foods from artichokes to zucchini, and in the end both pigs are so stuffed neither can claim the prize--a treat from the pastry chef. Alphabet books are certainly plentiful these days, and one that utilizes a new and original format is welcome indeed. First-time author/illustrator Preiss's lilting stanzas and winsome ink-and-colored-pencil illustrations lift this small-sized volume above the average. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)