Review by Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 2. The River Patrollers, a town of law-abiding pigs, always win first prize in the winter Ice Festival's sculpture contest, much to the annoyance of their neighbors, the Pigaroons, who are "descended from Spanish pirates" and are known for "stealing stuff." Planning to carve their own impressive contest entry, the Pigaroons make off with the Patrollers' block of ice. In return, the Patrollers sculpt revenge in the form of a giant ice magnifying glass, which they carry to the festival and position above the Pigaroons' sculpture, causing it to melt quickly as rays of the sun pass through the giant ice lens. Children unfamiliar with the potent combination of sun and a magnifying glass may need help with the science concepts, and a few points don't make sense: why wouldn't the sun melt the Patrollers' ice lens along with the Pigaroons' sculpture? Still, the lively rivalry between communities will delight many children, as will the detailed, colored etchings of inviting winter landscapes filled with busy pigs who build, sculpt, scheme, and celebrate. GillianEngberg.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Readers catch up with the latest adventures of favorite picture book characters. Thievery and doublecrosses are once again afoot in Pigaroons by Arthur Geisert. With the annual Ice Festival approaching, the titular group of porcine protagonists (similar to the stars of The Giant Ball of String and Nursery Crimes) steal the River Patrollers' block of ice, carving it into a fine portrait of Hernando de Soto. The victimized pigs use some ingenuity to melt their enemies' hopes of winning first prize. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3-Every year, the River Patrollers (a group of pigs that live on Porcine Ridge) cut a block of ice from the pond, carve it, enter it in the Ice Festival, and usually win first prize. They are understandably upset when the Pigaroons (pigs descended from Spanish pirates) steal their ice and sculpt it into a huge statue of Hernando de Soto for their entry. Disgusted with their rivals' dishonesty, the River Patrollers hatch a daring plan. After honing and polishing a huge ice lens, they take to the sky in their flying machine, focus on de Soto, and melt the statue. They also burn a portrait of the explorer into the snow for good measure. The River Patrollers end up with first prize after all (for their cleverness) and the Pigaroons are told not to steal-"Not that that would ever do any good." Geisert's delicate etchings are full of humor and detail, and complement the spare text perfectly. His pigs wear clothes, move like humans, and generally behave in a very un-porcine manner. Their flying ship is just that-an old-fashioned sailing ship elevated by a hot-air balloon. This light and whimsical story, with its very original premise, will engage children's imaginations, and maybe even spark an interest in early Spanish explorers.-Jane Barrer, Washington Square Village Creative Steps, New York City (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When the pirating Pigaroons steal the block of ice the River Patrollers use for their annual Ice Festival ice sculpture, the River Patrollers come up with a plan (involving a flying ship, a giant magnifying glass, and melting) to get back at them. In Geisert's signature etchings the frozen northern setting provides background for the offbeat and funny story's frenzy of piggy activity. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Only Geisert's agile mind could construct a fanciful pig plot with pirates, ice sculptures, and flying ships. The River Patrollers live in a stone quarry on Porcine Ridge overlooking the river. Each year they cut one big block of crystal-clear ice, carve a sculpture for the Ice Festival, and usually win first prize. Across the river live the Pigaroons, descendents of Spanish pirates, who true to their heritage, steal stuff. This year, they steal the Patrollers block of ice, and sculpt the famous Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto, intent on winning first place. The Patrollers devise a plan to thwart the Pigaroons using a round, polished disc of ice as lens and a flying machine (reminiscent of Shulevitz's flying machine), they focus light rays on the sculpture, melting de Soto, and winning first prize for their cleverness. Geisert's signature tinted etchings intricately detail the scenes, filling the pages with his clever touches. Like his previous pig tales, this is engaging, ingenious, and original--a "pigadilly." (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
