If+You+Give+a+Pig+a+Pancake

__ If You Give a Pig a Pancake __ by Laura Numeroff

Book review by: Jacob Gioia

Hardcover: 32 pages Age Range: 4 years and up Publisher**:** HarperCollins; 1st edition (April 11, 1998) Language: English ISBN-10: 037585861X ISBN-13: 978-0375858611
 * Bibliographic Information: **

Laura Numeroff was born on July 14, 1953 in Brooklyn, New York. Laura is the youngest of three girls. She was an avid reader as a young girl and knew by age 9 that she wanted to become a writer when she was an adult. However, Laura attended Pratt University and began to follow in her sister’s footsteps by majoring in fashion. After she found her passion in writing again Laura returned to writing and illustrating children’s books. Laura is best known for her //If You Give…// series, which began in 1985 with //If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.//
 * Author Biography: **

// If You Give a Pig a Pancake // is a story about a young girl who caters to the needs of a pig. The girl first gives the pig a pancake, which begins a snowball effect of the pig’s desires. Next, the pig wants syrup to go with the pancake but the pig gets sticky from the syrup. Therefore, the pig wants a bath. This cause and effect goes on until the pig wants more pancakes, leaving the reader to believe this is a never-ending cycle of events because after the young girl gives the pig what he wants, the pig then asks for something new.
 * Summary: **

The plot development in //If You Give a Pig a Pancake//, or any book in the //If You Give…// series heavily relies on cause and effect. For example, in the story the young girl gives the pig a bath after he gets sticky from the syrup. Because the pig is in the bath, he then asks for some bubbles. This theme of cause and effect creates an opportunity for students to make predictions. By referring to personal experience and the illustrations in the story, students can make predictions about what will happen next. One fun activity that focuses on this theme would be for students to make their own “If you give a…” story (refer to related links).
 * Analysis: **

When I was in elementary school I enjoyed reading the //If You Give…// series. Having the chance to read and review //If You Give a Pig a Pancake// has been a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The illustrations in the story are colorful and active, which grab the children’s attention. Also, the needy pig in the story makes me think of people in my life who act like the pig does by constantly wanting more. This story is very creative and shows how frustrating it can be to others when people constantly want more. //If You Give a Pig a Pancake// is a great book to have in any classroom library and can be integrated into the curriculum by making predictions and discussing cause and effect based on the plot development.
 * Book Review: **

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