Mrs Pig Gets Cross ¦ Wicked William

The strength and enduring charm of the Garth Pig stories lie in our ability to share vicariously in the antics of the naughty piglets in the safe context of the anthropomorphic pig family. We can 'tut tut' virtuously whilst all the time knowing that everything will indeed be 'all right in the end'. Mrs Pig Gets Cross drew some rather guilty looks from children across the whole infant school! A sorely tried Mrs Pig goes on strike when facing the mess and lack of response from her numerous offspring to her requests for tidying up. The resulting argument with Mr Pig sends both parents to bed supperless and most disgruntled - having forgotten to lock the doors and with the house still a mess. A burglar's attempt to steal Mrs Pig's jewellery and Mr Pig's wallet is foiled by an obstacle course of untidy toys. Rayner's firm cautionary note to children at the end led to quite a few thoughtful expressions - her tale should not lead children to think that leaving toys out is advocated as a means of deterring burglars but rather that they should be careful not to make their parents 'so cross that they forget to bolt the doors'. Wicked William left even this reader rather nervous that he really would tie up his younger brothers and leave them bound and gagged on the top of a four storey bunkbed - pause here while the children listed the ghastly what might have happened scenarios. However, William is distracted from his evil plans when one of his other brothers locks himself in the bathroom with an overflowing bath - the heroic rescue is good stirring stuff.