Sir Pigglesworth's Adventures in Pigonia

Sir Pigglesworth Adventure Series

Children - Grade K-3rd
84 Pages
Reviewed on 08/31/2016
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Deepak Menon for Readers' Favorite

Sir Pigglesworth’s Adventures in Pigonia by JoAnn Wagner and Jim DeBellis, with illustrations by David Darchicourt, is a delightful tale of courage, innovation and goodness for young readers to cherish as it inculcates traits of goodness and fair play while they read on. The authors have set this story just a few years ago, about the time when the little ones who are told this tale were born. The historical background of Pigonia dates back to the year 1802 when the King sent Royal Grand Duke Spencer J. Hoggbottom of Pigglesworth to Pigonia, an island far away, exactly halfway between London and New York. Many happy hardworking pigs lived in the beautiful island, playing and raising crops for the next 200 years after they had arrived there. The Duke had left for work in America. The peaceful pigs of Pigonia sent a message to Duchess Penelope of Pigglesworth, who now ruled Pigonia, informing her that pirate ships led by Captain Phineas Nastybeard - a pirate who had also captured the nearby island of Bacon shortly before - has landed on Pigonia and several little pigs had disappeared. They pleaded for her help to save Pigonia.

A rollicking adventure follows, with delightful characters such as Duchess Penelope, Queen Alexandra, Admiral Cornelius Snout of the Royal Navy, and Reginald J. Hoggbottom of New York City who emerge as the story progresses. The pirates are typical, complete with the traditional pirate flag, the eye patch, and even a peg leg and swords. The numerous full colour cartoon illustrations by David Darchicourt throughout the book are a treat for young readers. JoAnn Wagner and Jim DeBellis have shown rare insight by keeping the text large and attractive, avoiding any unsavory violence, and even making the battle against the pirates original to generate smiles and excitement. The hero of the tale is a joyful young frolicking pig named Spenser, who plays a pivotal role in winning the battle. This book is highly recommended for its target audience and certainly deserves a five-star rating for an attractive cover, excellence in prose and illustrations, as well as the undercurrent of character building running through it.

Jack Magnus

Sir Pigglesworth’s Adventures in Pigonia: The Sir Pigglesworth Adventure Series, Book 4 is an action and adventure storybook for children, grades K-3, written by JoAnn Wagner and Sara Dean, and illustrated by David Darchicourt. Many of the readers who have followed Sir Pigglesworth’s exploits in London, Vancouver, BC and New York City are probably wondering just how the adventurous pig got himself a title. Well, it all started in the island nation of Pigonia several hundred years ago. Sir Pigglesworth’s ancestor was sent there by the King to establish a royal colony. The Pigonians prospered and lived happy lives until the present day. The Duchess of Pigglesworth, who would become his mother, received a desperate appeal from the beleaguered islanders who were being attacked by pirates. When apprised of the situation, Queen Alexandra assembled a team to go to the Pigonians’ aid. The Duchess, Admiral Snout, and Reginald J. Hoggbottom would lead the team. Their efforts made the island a safer place, but then the pirates grew braver still. Would the Pigonians be able to survive their next onslaught?

JoAnn Wagner and Sara Dean’s action and adventure storybook for children grades K-3, Sir Pigglesworth’s Adventures in Pigonia, gives young readers the background to the knighting of Sir Pigglesworth, and, along the way, provides some first-rate pig versus pirate battles. These pigs play hard, but fight even harder to protect their island. And while young readers will be enchanted by the flying potatoes and mud balls, the intense battles and the skirmishes, their parents and caregivers might find themselves remembering classic pirate movies featuring the likes of Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone battling fiercely with swords while poised on the rigging of their pirate ships. While I’ve loved reading about each of Sir Pigglesworth’s visits to some very special cities, I have to admit that Sir Pigglesworth’s Adventures in Pigonia is of special interest in that it gives the reader some historical background to the series, and it's lots of fun to boot. And it did answer any questions I had about his knighthood. Sir Pigglesworth’s Adventures in Pigonia: The Sir Pigglesworth Adventure Series, Book 4, is most highly recommended.

Jane Finch

Sir Pigglesworth's Adventures in Pigonia (Sir Pigglesworth Adventure Series) Book 4 is written by JoAnn Wagner and Jim DeBellis, and illustrated by David Darchicourt. Set in the wonderful world of Pigonia, the adventure begins as piglets begin to disappear, rumours abound, and the island is invaded by pirates. The head of the band of cutthroats is Captain Phineas Nastybeard, and his intentions towards the inhabitants of Pigonia are not at all good. It’s left to Duchess Penelope and Duke Reginald, and their son, Spencer, to save Pigonia and defeat the pirates.

This is a real tale of adventure for the pigs of Pigonia and the hierarchy from London in their bid to bring calm and tranquillity back to the island. The reader is given a brief history of Pigonia to set the scene for the story, which is helpful. There is a delightful map of the island to explore, and the wonderful illustrations by David Darchicourt really bring the story to life. The authors, JoAnn Wagner and Jim DeBellis, have created an amazing, believable world that children will love. But this story is not just about pirates and mud games and ingenious ways to defeat the pirates. It is also about friendship and the importance of teamwork. The inhabitants of Pigonia are a peace-loving bunch, but when it comes to defending their island they will stop at nothing. It’s amazing what can be achieved with a potato and a tomato. A rip-roaring, fast-paced adventure that will have readers on the edge of their seats and looking forward to the next book in the series.