If You Give a Pig a Pancake
By Laura Numeroff A Laura Geringer Book (1998) ISBN: 006026686
In Numeroff’s narrative, she poses a hypothetical scenario--what if you give a pig a pancake? The story develops as a young girl proceeds to meet all of the pig’s requests. Upon receiving the pancake, the pig would like some maple syrup. The syrup makes the pig sticky, which leads to a bath. While in the bath the pig asks for bubbles, then a rubber duck. With each wish granted, the pig can’t help but to want more or something else in addition to what is has received, eventually ending right back where the pig and girl started--eating a pancake.
Quantitative: Lexile Level--570; ATOS--.5
Qualitative: If You Give a Pig a Pancake is not complex when considering language, multiple access points, figurative language, and organization; however, the text posses great complexity with its purpose. When taken literally, the story is about a pig that takes advantage of a young girl’s hospitality. It seems fun and playful, but the intention of the book is to demonstrate the nature of greed. It is not insignificant that Numeroff uses a pig--why not a dog or a cat? The pig connotes negative feelings and the implication of those feelings lead the young reader to interpret that pigs take, emphasizing the saying, “I ate like a pig.” Therefore, people that behave similar to the pig are then acting like “greedy pigs” and they should be avoided. It is significant to note the hypothetical “if” of the narrative. The cautionary “if” leads to the inevitable “will” allowing the reader to connect the cause and effect relationship of giving a pig a pancake.
Content Area: English; Health
Common Core Standards: These standards are for students making connections to Othello and the portrayal of women--RL.11/12.2-4
Curriculum Suggestions: Although this book is recommended for students in preschool through first grade, I can see this being used to teach connotation and word choice. Immediately, I thought of connecting it to Othello, given the tragedy’s heavy use of animal imagery especially when describing Othello and his behavior. Additionally, students could also examine the portrayal of women. The permissive character in If You Give a Pig a Pancake is a girl and since this is a book about behavior, the implication is that girls are more enabling than boys. Again, this is another angle that can be applied when considering Othello--students could investigate the treatment of women, specifically Desdemona, through a sexist lens.
Additional/Digital Content:
Personal Thoughts: This book made me giggle. Last year, my principal made a comment about me not becoming a “pig with a pancake” after he approved the addition of 17 new computers to the library. I find it amusing since the addition of the new computers meant that a whole class could access the lesson, rather than the students having to share a computer. If that somehow implies I’m a pig, I’m happy to be one!
*Meets the “Reading for Pleasure Picture Book” requirement
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