Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

This meta-early reader begins (between the end pages and the title page) with the famous duo Elephant and Piggie expressing excitement about reading a book about a pig and an elephant who happen to be best friends, just like them.Piggie holds a copy of Harold & Hog Pretend for Real!—which is identical to the book readers are holding, leading them to believe that the characters are reading the same book. Piggie and elephant Gerald then open the cover of the book just as elephant Harold and Hog push it open from the inside, and the story seamlessly shifts to the latter pair's perspective. Harold and Hog—illustrated with depth and fairly realistically, compared to the cartoonlike Piggie and Gerald—are excited to see the famous duo, and Harold suggests they pretend to be them. Harold then produces round, wire-rimmed glasses for himself and a cartoon pig's snout for Hog so that they can pretend "for real." Unfortunately, Hog is "too CAREFUL to be Piggie," and Harold is "too CAREFREE to be Gerald!" The question then arises: Can Harold and Hog's friendship survive this game? Building on the popular Elephant and Piggie books and with the frame story contributed by Mo Willems, Santat creates yet another early reader that is at once playful, self-aware, and perceptive in its exploration of the differences of personalities and the complications (or simplicities) of friendship. A hoot for readers who already know Elephant and Piggie. (Early reader. 5-8)

ALA Booklist (Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Operating on the notion that no reader is too young to enjoy a metafictional romp, Willems and Santat both trot in elephant and piggy pairs e (Willems') to read a story about the other (Santat's), who decide to pretend to be their favorite literary duo (guess who). Unfortunately, Santat's overcaffeinated Harold is nothing like Willems' ponderous pachyderm, and likewise Santat's introverted Hog looks and, plainly, feels silly trying to emulate Willems' "carefree" porker. The art reflects these personality differences; in contrast to Willems' flat, simply drawn animal buddies, Santat's shy pig has a rounded, fuzzy body, mobile features, and a massive companion who is all wild gestures and exaggerated expressions. Eventually, Santat's pair solve the issue by switching roles, cuing a celebrity walk-on and cutting back to Willems' dazed duo, who race off to do some role-playing of their own. Punctuated by wordless spreads (as well as many exclamation points), the big, all-dialogue narrative cranks both the volume and pace of this brain-bending entry in the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! series up another notch.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Willems' Elephant & Piggie could sell this on their own, but throw in Caldecott-winning, best-selling Santat to boot and you've got yourself a hit.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

This meta-early reader begins (between the end pages and the title page) with the famous duo Elephant and Piggie expressing excitement about reading a book about a pig and an elephant who happen to be best friends, just like them.Piggie holds a copy of Harold & Hog Pretend for Real!—which is identical to the book readers are holding, leading them to believe that the characters are reading the same book. Piggie and elephant Gerald then open the cover of the book just as elephant Harold and Hog push it open from the inside, and the story seamlessly shifts to the latter pair's perspective. Harold and Hog—illustrated with depth and fairly realistically, compared to the cartoonlike Piggie and Gerald—are excited to see the famous duo, and Harold suggests they pretend to be them. Harold then produces round, wire-rimmed glasses for himself and a cartoon pig's snout for Hog so that they can pretend "for real." Unfortunately, Hog is "too CAREFUL to be Piggie," and Harold is "too CAREFREE to be Gerald!" The question then arises: Can Harold and Hog's friendship survive this game? Building on the popular Elephant and Piggie books and with the frame story contributed by Mo Willems, Santat creates yet another early reader that is at once playful, self-aware, and perceptive in its exploration of the differences of personalities and the complications (or simplicities) of friendship. A hoot for readers who already know Elephant and Piggie. (Early reader. 5-8)

School Library Journal (Wed May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

PreS-Gr 2 Santat and Willems pair up a hilarious installment in the series with a hysterical portrayal of metafiction for kids. Harold and Hog are huge fans of Gerald and Piggie. So much so, they decide to play dress up and pretend to be them. Harold dons glasses, and Hog wears a "Piggie" nose over his own, but it is far more of a challenge when it comes to embodying their personalities. Hog is not as carefree as Piggie, and Harold doesn't quite understand what it means to be careful like Gerald. This realization is a test of Harold and Hog's friendshiphow can they be best friends like Gerald and Piggie if they can't be like them? Just as in every "Elephant and Piggie" book, friendship is tested and readers are led to a satisfying ending. Santat's detailed art style mirrors Willems's simplicity, but is distinct enough to let readers know that they are in a different world than his. Willems's readers will be thrilled at the choices that Santat makes in art and text, subtle and overt. Whether if it's picking up on the "stage" they create or when a familiar Easter egg is used, all will have readers rolling with laughter. VERDICT A fun addition for most libraries, perfect for fans of Gerald and Piggie. Danielle Jones, Multnomah County Library, OR