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| Here’s a snapshot of the “If You Give …” series found around our house. |
This week, I’ve chosen If You Give a Pig a Pancake for Perfect Picture Book Fridays.
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
Written by Laura Numeroff
Illustrated by Felicia Bond
Harper Collins Publisher, 1998
Suitable for: Ages 3 and up
Theme/Topic: Cause and Effect, Friendship, Playtime
Opening:
If you give a pig a pancake,
she’ll want some syrup to got with it.
You’ll give her some of your favorite maple syrup.
She’ll probably get all sticky,
so she’ll want to take a bath.
Brief Synopsis: A young girl gives a pig a pancake. This leads to a series of events from bubble baths to mailing letters to building a treehouse. Dont’ forget the decorations!
Link to resources: A Virtual Vine lesson plan for the If You Give a … Mouse, Moose and Pig books. One fun activity is to create brown circles for pancakes and yellow squares for butter with rhyming word. Then children can match the pancake with its butter.
Laura Numeroff has a link of story starters and links for teachers at her website.
There is also a website MouseCookieBooks.com with games and character introductions. An interesting note from illustrator Felicia Bond from her bio on this site: “Time has really passed — the six books in the series were painted over a span of twenty-one years. Wow.”
I agree — wow.
Why I chose this book: While my son may not be able to think about cause and effect, the story seems familiar to us. Let me think: If you give your kid a cookie, he wants milk to go with it. When he spills the milk, you grab a towel to clean it up … Oh, I’ve lived this fun circle.
Laura Numeroff has a list of 10 tips for writers. Her no. 10 is to write because you love it “and not because you are looking to make money!”
To find more books and resources, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog. There is a page dedicated to Perfect Picture Books.
I struggled with how to label the theme/topic for this book. Suggestions? Have a great Friday the 13th!
Feb. 7, 2013 — Spambots are loving this post, so I’m closing the comments section. – ssj
Hi Stacy,
This is a perfect choice to add to PPF’s library! They were a huge hit at our house. Love all of the activities you posted.
Have a great weekend!
Sounds fab. I’ve read the party version. I can’t believe how long it took, strangely reassuring 🙂
One topic could be consequences I guess. Have a lovely weekend Stacy!
This was wonderful playtime at its bes! Great pic and great links. You did alright on the themes. Thankyou have a great weekend.
I enjoyed your personal photo, Stacey.
We have most of these ‘if you give …’ books as BIG BOOks in our school library, as they are perfect for story time for the really young members of the school.
Excellent resources list for this!!
I am only familiar with the mouse/cookie story. These look great! Thanks Stacy 🙂
I love these books! When I was in first grade we actually went and saw If You Give A Pig A Pancake as a play! I think the theme is silliness and friendship!
Thanks for the Friday 13th good wishes. First thing this morning was I realized it was the 13th and I have a dreaded appt today.
Your book seems perfect for ages eighteen months up. And mothers who live the circle! Fun, you.
I think one theme would be family life from the way you describe it. 😉
Another perfect choice, Stacy! I love Laura’s books! And I think you did fine with the themes 🙂 Thanks for another wonderful contribution!
I love these books! Stacy, you chose some of our favorite books. Laura is awesome and I wanna be like her when I grow up. 🙂
Smooches and hugs.
P.S. the theme was perfect. I had trouble with mine too. *grunt* It is my first time posting for Perfect Picture Book Fridays. Could that be my excuse??
Love these books! Someone on Facebook recently posted “If you give a Mom a muffin”. It was really funny!
~Debbie
This was such a favorite when my kids were younger. They also loved If You Give A Moose A Muffin.
Ah yes, these books should be standbys in every house. I love the activity links you shared too!
Oh yes, this is a great one! Thanks for sharing this book and the activities!
Stacy, nice choice. I like how you think about what Enzo would like and do when you review. Brings a fun book to life. Great review!
I enjoy these books, but what really makes them GREAT (imho) is Felicia Bond. She draws such engaging little critters!
You have a MOUSE? Ooooooh, love it! These are such delightful (and true) books.
My boys and I LOVE the If You Give books! I think my favorite is If You Take A Mouse to School. Thanks for adding to PPBF!
I love these books, too. I just checked out If You Give a Dog a Donut this past week. It’s really fun, also.
Your choices seem perfect. What a great mother you must be, Roland
My kids are a big fan of “if you give ..” books. Such fun to read.
I haven’t read that one. It sounds like a fun book. I didn’t realize there were so many of those out there.
My boys all loved this book! A great choice for PPBF.
Great choice, Stacy. I love this book!
I will ahve to look for this book for my nieces and nephews.
@Loni- It’s amazing the activities available for books.
@Catherine – I’m looking for the party version. Consequences – that’s a good one.
@PatientDreamer and @Joanna – I tried to spice it up with the photo and cover up the chewed up corner — as usual it was Enzo not the dog eating books.
@Coleen – It’s a fun series.
@thiskidreviewsbooks- A play? I bet that was fun.
@Clar – Yes. Family life is a good idea.
@Susanna and @Robyn – I love Laura’s book’s too. She is awesome.
@Debbie – I think I saw the Mom and muffin FB version.
@Johanna and @Julie – Yes these books should be sent home with parents from the hospital.
@Miranda- Lots of fun activities.
@Patricia – Yep. We’re pretty Enzo-centric right now.
@Cathy – The illustrator is wonderful.
@Beth – Yep. We have the Mouse. Enzo likes to herd his animals, so the Mouse was a great addition.
@Jennifer – I’ll have to find the Mouse/school story.
@Penny – And, the dog a donut story.
@Roland-You are too kind.
@Darshana- They are certainly popular and fun.
@Janet – I’m learning about more myself – through the comments.
@Heather and @Inluvwithwords – Thanks.
@Russ – They will enjoy them. The books tell a fun, interesting story in a very small word count.
Thank you all for commenting. I hope everyone checked out the PPBF link. Lots of great books this week.
love, love, love Laura Numeroff books! A few years ago Kohl’s department store sold all of the “If you give a mouse a cookie” books for $5 and the stuffed animals for $5. Wish I had bought more! I have the mouse in the library. These books are wonderful for teaching cause and effect. Great choice!
Kelly – We actually found the Mouse at a toy swap! So we scored it for free. It was a fun find.