Meet Wild Boars

My two year old grabbed this book during one of our *leisurely* scrambles to find new reading material at the library. Like many parents of toddlers I don't have a lot of time to thoroughly review books while actually AT the library. This funny, quirky story of four naughty wild boars became an instant favorite of my son's -- and mine. So much so that I ended up buying it (and also searching Google for an acceptable plush wild boar to accompany it [see: http://www.stuffedark.com/boarhansa.htm], which my son now dresses as Doris, his favorite of the gang, and to whom he gives well-deserved time outs). My son insists that I read the same books many, many times over, so it makes my job a lot easier when I enjoy the book too! I love the humor of this book, it is very fun to read out loud. The tone is imperatively conversational which has the effect of actively engaging the reader - and listener. I suppose it is a bit crude (poop and farts and such) - but I guess that is part of what I personally love about it. It seems like the author/illustrator duo haven't "sanitized" their humor for a younger audience. To me that is actually respectful of their readership. My son knows the boars are naughty, he actually reprimands them as we read along. I think that is kind of the point of the book -- the kids reading it get to recognize bad behavior they might themselves have been accused of -- and even worse behavior yet! My son gets it, and he is just a bit over two. I am happy to see that it there is another wild boar book on the horizon -- "Wild Boars Cook." I hope it is just as good!

I've never laughed so much reading a book to my kids. The words are witty and the pictures are hilarious. Oh and the kids like it, too.

Not all adults are vegans, not all of us are patient, not all of us believe in angels. Kids know this. So why not vary their diet of Polar Expresses, Flopsy Bunnies and Flower Fairies with an amusing tale about life's darker facets. If you and your 5 year-old liked Walter the Farting Dog, which tells us that not all cuddly young puppies grow up to be loveable old dogs, you should pick up Meet Wild Boars. This quirkily illustrated book puts paid to any idea that animals in gingham dresses are automatically cute; Doris the Wild Boar and her pals are sly, spiteful, rude, malodorous and bent on destruction. Meg Rosoff has created a quartet of little monsters that kids will love to laugh at .

This funny, irreverent book is a favorite in my son's first grade classroom, where twenty children howled, stomped and snorted with laughter. The text is delicious and the illustrations are enchanting. Foul as they are, it's hard not to love Boris, Horace, Morris and Doris.

The four boars in this book are really boors -- the kind of playmates no child would want. The text is ideal for read-aloud, and the illustrations are witty and sly. Be forewarned: Those offended by farts and poop need not apply. My 7- and 5-year-olds have asked for this every night since we brought it home from the library. I think it will turn up for a birthday or Christmas!