Piggy

Abundant love between a child and toy animates standard stuffie fare from Hood and Quaranta, making a double U.S. picture book debut. Piggy provides frank narration, opening with introductions before segueing to salad-day reminiscences of being “pink and plump and...// perky.” From the moment the pigtailed speaker and their pale-skinned human bestie first meet, they sleep, eat, and play together. But as Piggy begins to look worse for the wear, inevitable washing machine stints occur, events the pig describes as a “terrible thing.” Still, the stuffed animal emerges, steaming, from the dryer to greet its rosy-cheeked child with an unwavering smile. Homey artwork—a mix of digital techniques, watercolor, and texturizing colored pencil detailing—take the lead from here, with vignettes chronicling the repeated cycle: in one, the tot spills food on their companion; in another, the stuffed animal wallows in muddy wildflowers. Despite its anti-bath stance (“NOOOOO!!!” Piggy laments as another trip to the wash looms), the stuffie slowly comes to express appreciation for the beauty that lies in being (and looking) well-loved. This portrait of a tight bond feels winsomely on the nose. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Gail Hochman, Brandt & Hochman. Illustrator’s agent: Alex Gehringer, Bright Agency. (June)