Starred Review Not even McPhail's Pig Pig has as much personality as the sprightly pointy-eared porker who belongs to farmer Neligan. This pig is one of a kind. Using splashy, bright watercolors, Barton depicts Neligan's portly pig looking longingly on as a gaggle of self-satisfied geese swim in the farm's cool green pond. But pigs don't swim--except for Neligan's pig, who surprises the daylights out of the geese when she revs up in a series of cartoonlike antics, splashes in and wallows across a funny two-page spread, and causes a to-do that brings the other animals rushing for a look. When farmer Neligan spots his rabble-rousing pig in the drink, he drops his duds (backside discreetly forward) and jumps in, soon to be joined by the rest of the animals--even the chickens get wet. Waddell's simple repetitive text is touched with humor, though it's the expressive animal visages in the watercolors that give the book its bounce: Barton depicts human attitudes in her barnyard beasts with an easy grace and a laugh-out-loud flare. A lovely bit of joyful malarkey. (Reviewed Dec. 1, 1992)

Humorous and expressive animal characters inhabit this noisy picture book that tells what happens when Neligan's pig jumps into the pond to cool off. Animal noises, appealing illustrations, and a fun conclusion make this simple story appealing to preschoolers.

Watching the ducks and geese in farmer Neligan's pond, the pig ``didn't go in, because pigs don't swim.'' Finally, though, the hot day overwhelms her and in she splashes, cavorting with such glee that the others are driven out. With Waddell's comical, deftly cadenced text and Barton's joyfully ebullient illustrations, this might be enough, but no: word passes from animal to animal and Neligan himself appears, removes his delightful attire (formal bowler and jacket, red vest, Wellies), and plunges in—an example followed by his entire menagerie, last seen complacently dripping in the shallow water. A perfect hot- weather book, sure to create demands for a swim. (Picture book. 3-7)"

PreS-Gr 2-- One day Neligan went into town. It was hot. It was dry. The sun shone in the sky. Neligan's pig sat by Neligan's pond.'' This book tells the story of how the pig finally cools off. After enviously watching the self-satisfied ducks and geese swimming around, she goes through some dainty preparation, then dives in with aSPLASH!'' that fills a double-page spread. When the farmer comes home, there is a tense moment while he surveys the scene, then joins the pig in the pond, followed by the other farm animals. Waddell conveys a wonderful sense of silliness. The well-spaced print and the repetition make the book appropriate for beginning readers, but it certainly succeeds as a read-aloud for preschoolers. The playful language, rhythmic but not rhymed, matches the mood of the tale perfectly, and the artwork is a delight. Done with watercolor and pencil, Barton's animals are especially endearing and incredibly expressive, considering how simply they are drawn. The pig's decision to dare to do something unusual (``She didn't go in, because pigs don't swim''), and Neligan's affirmation of that decision, are story elements that young children will relate to. --Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL