Porkenstein by Kathryn Lasky

“Dr. Smart Pig was a famous inventor, but he had no friends…”

This is a Halloween book that can be enjoyed all year long. Most children are fascinated by The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf. So if you’ve read The Three Little Pigs a million times and need a change, this is the book for you. You’ll be happy to have a little variety in your life, and your young reader will be happy to keep hearing about the big bad wolf.

The story begins with Dr. Pig, who has been lonely since the Big Bad Wolf ate his two brothers. He then realizes that he is a famous inventor, so he can invent a friend. He runs to his lab where he mixes concoction after concoction. Kids will love the illustrations of his results: a hogfish, a hogbat. He can’t seem to get it right until, finally, he thinks he’s picked all the ingredients and comes out with the biggest pig he’s ever seen. And he is hungry. News of the giant pig spreads fast (I loved the illustration of the paparazzi taking photos outside his window) and Big Bad Wolf sees the pig on TV. Thinking the pig would make a tasty meal, he heads over to Dr. Pig’s house for a feast. In classic Big Bad Wolf style, he dresses up in a Halloween costume and rings the bell for trick-or-treating. The giant pig opens the door and after sizing each other up, it is the big bad wolf who is swallowed by the pig. Nothing like a little revenge!

This is a mad scientist story that emphasizes the importance of friendship, sure to get a laugh.

Additional Information:

Author: Kathryn Lasky

Illustrator: David Jarvis

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: Blue Sky Press (September 1, 2002)

ISBN-10: 059062380X

ISBN-13: 978-0590623803