cover image The Runaway Piggy/El cochinito fugitivo

The Runaway Piggy/El cochinito fugitivo

James Luna, trans. into the Spanish by Carolina Villarroel, illus. by Laura Lacámara, Arte Público/Piñata, $16.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-55885-586-1

The story of The Gingerbread Man gets a lively Mexican makeover in this bilingual tale, with the title role filled by a freshly baked cochinito cookie that escapes a bakery after being taken out of the oven. Piggy soon has the entire neighborhood in pursuit: a mechanic, salon owner, bus driver, and others all offer to keep Piggy safe, but he's rightfully wary of the steaming mugs of coffee they have handy. "Chase me! Chase me down the street. But this is one piggy you won't get to eat" is his insouciant refrain (though he eventually gets his just desserts). A recipe is included, and given the story, the last step might be the most important: "Place in airtight container." Ages 4–8. (Nov.)