A Pig and A Poke

Tricia Gardella's picture book is the kind of thing that is easy to underestimate from the description and fun to read aloud. Angela wants to win the pig at the local contest and has to outmaneuver Bruce, the town bully, to do it. The folk-saying flavor of the title gives it a classic feel, Bar Fabian's illustrations bring lively color to the community setting, and the pro-social values — perseverance, fair play, standing your ground — are communicated without being preachy. It is a straightforward arc, and readers who want something more inventively structured will find it familiar. But for its target age of four to eight, the formula works: a relatable kid, a real obstacle, a satisfying resolution. A good read-aloud with clear lessons children can name.