Synopsis: In this moralistic fable, the overworked and under-appreciated Mrs. Piggott leaves her swinish husband and two sons to fend for themselves, and they literally turn into pigs. There are exceedingly clever illustrations: even before the porcine evolution of the males, there are hints of piggery everywhere in the father's lapel carnation, the boys' upturned noses, a piggy bank, a light switch. After the transformation, pigs turn up everywhere, including on the wallpaper (which was formerly a rose design). Browne also uses a sly before-and-after technique in his portrayal of Mrs. Piggott, who starts out as a drab, shadowy figure, face averted, while the males are brightly drawn in full light and full-face. After the victory for women's rights, however, Mrs. P. is drawn in an equal style.
Activity (8 years old): Imagine that you are one of the two Piggott boys. Write a letter persuading your mother to come home.
Activity (7 years old): Draw a picture of your mother or father doing some activity in the house. Write a sentence to describe this picture.
