Virján, Emma J. What this story needs is a much and a crunch. New York: Harper, 2016. Print.
I really look forward to every PIG IN A WIG book. Rhymes are fun to read aloud, especially when they're paired with bright illustrations that you will want to look at again and again. This is the case with the Pig in a Wig series (all are Early Readers). The plot is relatively zany -- and very appealing because it is often very offbeat and random.
The latest book, What This Story Needs is a Munch and a Crunch (HarperCollins, 2016) has the most tied-together story of any in the series. The book opens as Pig in a Wig works in the kitchen, prepping for a picnic. She isn't taking any shortcuts, either -- baking bread from scratch for the meal. Turn the pages and you'll see that she's meeting friends: a rabbit and a squirrel, who both some fairly happy to join in the picnic. And why wouldn't they? Pig has brought along pies, and sandwiches (and carrots for the rabbit), and there's a kite, too (which they do fly).
Then, in the middle of their fun, a storm breaks -- and the rest of the story is about Pig saving the day, and making it all good again.
There are rhymes, alliteration, and even a "dash" of onomatopoeia, all rolling of a reader's tongue with ease.
On the cover, notice how both of Pig's friends are waving. Truly, there is joy in every bit of this book. And within the pages there are little bits of cleverness along the way: three bees and two ladybugs that join along in the ride, and Squirrel and Rabbit have catcher's mitts!!
A book filled with simple delights -- a book perfect to take along with you an any picnic!
Make sure to read all of the Pig in a Wig books!