Harcourt School Publishers Collections: LVLD Rdr: Babe/Gallant Pig Gr4

Like many of my generation, I came to "Babe" via the movies. I'm not proud of this fact. As a children's librarian I like to pretend that I've heard about all my children's books in their original papery forms. This is hardly the case, of course. Lots of book (like the wonderful "Millions" by Frank Cottrell Boyce) first come to my attention through their film. "Babe" is one of those books though that stands up well to a reading after viewing its adaptation to the silver screen. Dick King-Smith had enough guts and wherewithal to write a children's book about a pig despite the fact that the greatest pig adventure tale (i.e. "Charlotte's Web") was bound to draw comparisons. But did he care what die-hard White fans would say? Not he! He wrote a truly interesting, original, and deeply meaningful tale all on his own and devil take the consequences! Babe has the inherent sweetness of Wilbur and the pluck and charm of Walter R. Brooks', "Freddy". There's even a moral to the tale, but it's so sly and unassuming that kids will end up learning something despite themselves. Well done there. Farmer Hogget is a man of few words. Running a small farm of sheep, the occasional goose, and a family of sheepdogs, Hogget has never owned a pig (despite his own swinish name). At a nearby fair he happens to correctly guess the weight of a small piglet up for grabs. The pig is happy to go with Hogget but is deeply lonely and the farmer's kind-hearted sheepdog Fly takes the piggy under her wing and raises him as she does her own puppies. It soon becomes clear that Babe, as the pig is called, has a fast mind and is quick to learn. He befriends an old sheep named Ma and learns that by speaking politely to ewes, like herself, he is able to herd them as effectively as any sheepdog. Farmer Hogget is initially bemused by the idea but when it becomes clear that Babe is not only a first-rate sheep-pig but also a great protector of the flock, Hogget can't help but consider entering the animal in the upcoming sheepdog trials. But it's only when Fly and the sheep consider talking to one another sanely that Babe is given the key to keeping his master from becoming the laughing stock of the country. It's hard to read a book like this and not get bopped over the head time and time again by the things the movie added to the mix. In this story you will find no male sheepdog, no wacky duck sidekick, no singing mice, and no self-assured cat villainess. You don't need all that. This is a book that has as much emotional oomph as any Technicolor adaptation. Comparisons to E.B. White's book are inevitable, but the two stories aren't as similar as you might think. "Charlotte" was about growing up and how nothing in life ever stays the same. "Babe" is about overcoming prejudices, no matter how innate, and trusting in what you know to be good and true. When a character close to Babe dies, the result is not as wrenching and meaningful as Charlotte's death in "Charlott

Babe captured my heart, as he was trying to save his own skin. This book is truly a classic animal tale, where the creatures take on believable and human emotions and personalities. We see intelligence, fear, hope, and love, in a heartwarming pig, and his other animal friends. The inter-species bond between Babe and his human farmer is delightful! I have read it several times, and each time, see another angle, in this Pig-Shepherd memoir. Should not be limited to any age group, because adults as well as children will be entertained.Arlene Millmanauthor of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY(The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier)

Dick King-Smith has written a real gem! He is a genius at characterization. We are immediately caught up in the contrasting characters of the farmer and his wife. She talks a blue streak with never a pause for breath and turns and twists at great length in long and convoluted sentences that take up half the page, question after question and answering most of them herself. One susinct word suffices her husband. The animal characters are even more rich! The loving mother sheep-dog takes poor little piglet Babe under her "wing". Loving and kind though she may be to Babe, she is completely rude and disdainful towards the "stupid" sheep. Babe learns the power of truly respectful kindness, and totally surpasses the dog in being able to manage the sheep herd and bring out the best in them.As a teacher, I believe this has a message for us. I've seen some "benevolent dictators" in my day, who treat students as simpletons and get as much. Kindness, respect, and assuming intelligence go a lot further!

It's impossible to not compare Babe to Charlotte's Web because it is also about a pig that is trying to save its neck. Babe really holds up well against the classic work. Babe (which is very much like the movie that came from it) tells a marvelous story and also contains a lot of depth. The short book tells the story of a pig who decides to become a sheep-dog (or sheep-pig). King-Smith relates humorous, exciting, and touching episodes of the pig's life until the novel reaches a splendid climax at the National Sheep-Dog Trials. The novel does have quite a bit to say about life. It speaks to overcoming traditional boundaries as Babe becomes a sheep-pig. The novel speaks to how fellow beings should be treated. Perhaps most importantly, Babe: The Gallant Pig speaks ... as Babe learns to treat the "stupid" animals (this is what they were known as prior to Babe) like sheep and ducks with politeness and friendship. Babe: The Gallant pig has a lot to say (particularly to children) and tells a great story. It certainly ranks among the top works of children's literature.

When I checked out Babe: The Gallant Pig from the library and read it to my younger brother, we absolutely loved it! Dick King-Smith, who has a magical way with words, creates a charming story of a pig who is taken away from his mother and brought to a big farm in the country. All of the characters, human and animal, are simply wonderful. Anyone who has read this book will immediately fall in love with the imaginable environment and subtle realities in its context. After reading it only for a short time, the story draws you into the world of the innocent little pig like a magnet. If you have a younger sibling/son/daughter/nephew.., read this book to them! You'll be glad you did.