cover image Pig Pig Returns

Pig Pig Returns

David McPhail. Charlesbridge, $15.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-58089-356-5

After a lengthy sabbatical, expressive Pig Pig is back, and he has some reservations about joining his aunt and uncle on a road trip. But despite a bout of carsickness and a few minor disappointments, the trip is fun: Pig Pig marvels at the world's biggest ball of yarn, a house made of soda cans, and a three-legged chicken. By the end, he "couldn't believe he hadn't wanted to come." McPhail has gentle fun with Pig Pig's trepidations (his favorite magazine, ironically, is Daring Pig Exploits, and even as the trip comes to a close, Pig Pig has a few more worries to get out of his system). But overall it's an empathetic and sensitive portrait of the ups and downs that come with trying something new. Ages 4%E2%80%937. (July)