Thank you P. Marin for sending us Pig and Chick: The Birthday Wish That Got Away to review and for answering our questions. All opinions are our own.
Pig and Chick: The Wish That Got Away written by P. Marin is an adorable story of friendship, kindness and generosity. It’s Pig’s birthday but he doesn’t really understand what birthday wishes are all about because all he’s ever wanted is a friendship with Chick and he already has that. So being the kind and generous Pig that he is, he decides to give his birthday wish to Chick. Have you ever had a birthday wish that got away? Well that’s how Chick feels when the candle melts into one big pile of wax and she isn’t able to wish for a donkey so they could play pin the tail on the donkey. But then Chick sees a donkey and gets excited that maybe her wish will come true. However, things go awry and once the wish is fulfilled she realizes that she already has everything she wants in her friendship with Pig.
Wonderful for ages four to eight this early reader chapter book will spark discussion about friendship and kindness. Don’t miss the other books in the series Pig and Chick: Stuck and Pig and Chick: Pigcasso.
3 ?s about Pig and Chick
What are three words you use to describe your book?
charming, funny, endearing
How did you decide to have Pig be the kind and patient character?
I first met Pig and Chick when I was doodling. They showed up in my sketchbook. They were sitting at a rundown bus stop. I had no idea who they were or where they were headed; all I knew is I wanted to buy a ticket and get on that same bus. So I tucked that sketch into a drawer and went about my daily business. Sometimes as I washed dishes or went for a walk, a thought would cross my mind and I’d say to myself, “Oh, that’s something Pig would say.” Or “That’s something Chick would do.” When that happened, I’d jot down notes on scraps of paper. It was in that process of jotting down random thoughts that I discovered who they were. Pig, the patient, more thoughtful one – the one I aspire to be like – and Chick, the impatient, child-like one who I already am.
How did you come up with the story idea?
In Pigcasso, Pig is determined to be the next artist extraordinaire. When I was growing up I loved to write and draw. In fact, every week in fifth grade, my teacher wheeled in a television set. He’d turn it on and there would appear local artist Bruce McIntyre. Alongside Mr. McIntyre, we’d draw.
For me, it was the highlight of elementary school. Toward the end of fifth grade, my teacher announced that Mr. McIntyre would be visiting our classroom – in person – and if we brought five dollars that day, we could buy a copy of his book. I began saving immediately. On the big day I arrived to school early with sharp pencils and no money. I was devastated. At the end of the presentation, Mr. McIntyre walked up to me. He handed me a copy of his book and said, “Your teacher thinks you’re going to need this.” Turns out I did. But it took me nearly three decades, and a bunch of jobs that made it hard to get out of bed, before inspiration struck and I realized how important our dreams are. Luckily, unlike Pig, I didn’t have to get run over by a donkey to create my first work of art.
3 ?s about You
If you weren’t a writer, what would you want to be and why?
There is this quote by Poet Galway Kinnell. It says, “Sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness.” It’s a terrible thing to forget how wonderful you are. So if I weren’t a writer, I’d be a teacher. The kind that shows people their loveliness.
What is one book that has stuck with you since you’ve read it?
Adult book: Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Children’s book: Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad
To me, they say the same thing. Keep life slow and simple and don’t forget to appreciate the things that matter most.
What is one item in your fridge that tells us about you?
Worms. What they say about me is this: I love our son, who is affectionately known as the Domestic Zookeeper, very much. Because there are a lot of compelling reasons not to keep worms in your refrigerator. But there is also one compelling reason why I do. Love. Love for our son and love for a boy’s dream. I hope it’s that kind of love you’ll find in my books.
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