Inspiration for Writers from Audrey & Don Wood's "Piggy Pie Po"

We follow Piggy through his day; he plays, reads, tries to tie his shoe. Piggy eats a big dinner and follows it up with a hot pepper that sends him straight to bed! 

I was introduced to Audrey and Don Wood’s Piggy Pie Po when I was a nanny, years ago. The book was a bedtime favorite for my young charges; Piggy is an endearing, silly character and the author expertly weaves little nuggets of learning (counting, telling time, etc) into the tale. The book is light on plot, but still delivers a satisfying narrative arc for young readers. Let’s take a closer look!

Piggy Pie Po proves that great stories don’t have to be complicated.

There isn’t much narrative to speak of in Piggy Pie Po. The book is split into three parts, self-described as “3 little stories.” The first part explores the different activities that Piggy likes to do in his different outfits. The second describes Piggy’s talents, and the third details a big meal he eats before going to bed. The book is part story and part list, taking advantage of the best of both worlds. Lists are fun for young readers, as they provide a predictable format that repeats with slight variations. The subtle narrative arc of the story offers enough plot to make readers feel invested. 

The book incorporates age-appropriate skills like counting. 

As the story celebrates Piggy’s talents, it celebrates the talents of young readers as well. It does so by incorporating age-appropriate skills into the art, as when Piggy counts backwards, ten to one, or reads the clock on the wall. Even the three-part form is subtle counting practice and a gentle lesson in narrative structure. This is a smart technique for engaging readers; children enjoy showing off their skills with letters and numbers, and adults love stories that weave skill practice in with fun characters. 

Simple, sing-songy rhythm is peppered with big, fun words. 

Audrey Wood is a veteran author of picture books. The song-like poetry of Piggy Pie Po is simple and sweet, fun to read aloud. The author avoids rhythm and language that are boringly predictable by introducing some unexpected vocabular like “pistachio,” “pimpernel,” and “tromped.” These words, all a joy to say, establish a playful, whimsical tone. 

How can Piggy Pie Po inspire you as you draft your picture book manuscript?

• Enjoy the freedom that picture books offer; your book doesn’t need the water-tight plot that books for more mature audiences demand. Your book can be character-driven, concept-driven, or even driven by compelling visuals. Experiment with different options to feel out the best fit by jotting down (very) rough drafts. One iteration should have a traditional story arc. Then, try a draft that replicates the list-like structure of Piggy Pie Po. Next, try a draft driven by a concept like counting or the alphabet. Don’t worry about making these drafts share-worthy; you’re experimenting, trying things on to see what fits! For other examples of joyful books with light narrative arcs, check out You are Not a Duck, 10 Little Ninjas, or Zoom.  

• Make a list of words that you think are fun, silly, or sound cool together. What words make your inner child giggle? What words do you relish on your tongue? Once you’ve got a list of 10 or so words, try dropping a few into your manuscript. Don’t be too heavy-handed, limiting yourself to 3 or 4 juicy word gems. 

Piggy Pie Po, by Audrey & Don Wood, was published by Harcourt Children’s Books in 2010.