Picturebook Review: Under a Pig Tree: A History of the Noble Fruit by Margie Palatini and Chuck Groenink

Under a Pig Tree: A History of the Noble Fruit (A Mixed-Up Book) is a picturebook written by Margie Palatini and illustrated by Chuck Groenink. The publisher and author of Under a Pig Tree seem to be having communication issues. The author has written a clear, no-nonsense history of figs, but the publisher is sure she meant pigs. The final product is a hilarious illustrated history of pigs, from the earliest times (“Pigs were presented as ‘medals’ to the winners of the first Olympics”) to the present day (“There is nothing better than enjoying a cup of tea or glass of milk with one of those famous Pig Newtons”). The author, needless to say, is not happy about this “little mix-up” and makes her feelings very clearly known, by scrawling all over the book!

Under a Pig Tree: A History of the Noble Fruit is a highly entertaining picture book that had me chuckling aloud as I read it. this would not be so bad if I was not processing the book for library cataloging in a crowded office. The author's not at the beginning of the book really sets the tone for the book, which is full of sticky notes with corrections and commentary from the author remarking on the absurdity of replacing fig with pig. The result is a book that will have young readers giggling at the silliness of it all and adults equally (if not more) amused by the book.

I cannot recommend Under a Pig Tree: A History of the Noble Fruit enough. It will entertain readers of all ages, and has inspired a staff story time at my library to share it with those that might not otherwise get a chance to enjoy it.