The Princess and the Pig

Mischief and mayhem are afoot in this subversive and witty fairy tale when a piglet and princess get accidentally swapped. Wickedly humorous, it’s especially funny when readers discover the reason for the swap: because the careless queen can’t stand the smell of the royal nappy! So the piglet (Priscilla) and princess (Pigmella) grow up in their vastly different households, creating absurd contrasts in life style, illustrated with hilarious pictures. It’s all part of the leitmotiv in this modern fairy tale, ‘it happens all the while in books’.

It’s a theme that is well used to complete the story too, for when a prince is tricked into marrying Pigmella, he hopes his piggy bride will turn into a princess with a kiss. Some hope!

Strongly European in flavor, the illustrations are full of fun and incident. There is a great sense of pattern and dynamism in the angular shapes of the royal household, richly contrasted by the bouncy curves of the happier country-folk. With plenty of movement across the page, rich colours and soft edges complete the look.

For anyone who doesn’t fit in or any toddler who’s ever needed taming, this is the book.