Room for One More? What This Book needs Is A Pig in a Wig by Emma J. Virjan

WHAT THIS STORY NEEDS IS A PIG.

And a drama queen pig needs a gig. Lacking a venue, this protagonist decides to create her own.

Costuming? Put on a big red wig.

Setting? A moat with a boat.

Supporting Cast? They're everywhere! A frog, dog, and goat wash up on their log. All aboard!

Then a rat in a hat, a skunk (on and elephant's) trunk, and...

A MOUSE AND A PANDA IN A BLOUSE!

Theme? There's always room for one more? But... in reality, THERE'S NOT!

At least not for this pig in a wig.

Climax? The little craft is close to swamping as a considerable number of rhyming critters come on board, sinking the boat to its gunwales and raising too big a ruckus for this pig.

WHAT THIS STORY NEEDS IS A PIG IN A WIG

ON HER OWN...ALL ALONE!

But the pig in the wig learns that one is no fun either, in Emma J. Virjan's I-Can-Read book, What This Story Needs Is a Pig in a Wig (A Pig in a Wig Book) (Harper, 2015). Borrowing the line from a famous shark movie that shall remain nameless, author Virjan scripts an ending with a familiar line,

Conclusion? "We need a bigger boat!"

Virjan masterfully manages her sizable cast of characters with some jolly humor, and her simple, understated drawings. And watch for the sequel, Pig In A Wig II, What This Story Needs Is a Hush and a Shush (A Pig in a Wig Book). Add this one to the beginning reading shelf, right along with Mo Willems' notable Elephant and Piggie series to add to the audience for this important genre.