The late James Marshall was one of the funniest writers to ever grace the field of children’s literature. Wildly popular with children, Marshall tells the zaniest stories with fun and laughter. After his early and unfortunate death, the famed illustrator Maurice Sendak took one of Marshall’s manuscripts’s and created all the illustrations for a new story. This powerful combination of talents has created a book that has all the humor of Marshall and the drawing talent of Sendak. The name of this funny book is Swine Lake.
A down on his luck wolf hunches over a newspaper looking for opportunities to find some delicious animals to eat. Somewhat given to the fine arts, the wolf peruses the Arts and Leisure section of the newspaper as well. Since reading isn’t going to fill his stomach, he leaves his threadbare room and heads out to the street. Above all else, the wolf loves to eat pigs, and salivates at the mere sight of the little porkers. Much to his surprise he sees that a new ballet has come to town and is being performed by the Boarshoi Ballet. As he nears the theatre, he sees pigs everywhere and his hunger becomes inflamed. But since the audience appears to be completely comprised of pigs, the wolf wonders how he can get into the theatre with his bushy tail and sharp claws. Fortunately, a rich old sow stops the wolf and offers him her front row tickets. Cunningly, the wolf walks to his section and begins planning his assault. The curtain rises and the ballet begins.
Much to his surprise, the wolf is captivated by the music and the graceful dancing of the chunky pigs. One of the male leads, the portly Monsieur Franche de Lard, seems to leap through the air in his leotards. Captivated as he is by the story, the wolf keeps telling himself not to gobble all the pigs when he makes his attack. But the prima pigarinna and the ballet have begun to capture his heart. Much to his surprise the wolf understands that a story is being told, and a marriage is about to take place in the ballet. His heart rises with joy for the pigarinna and is crushed when an evil monster appears on stage and snatches her away from her heartbroken fiancé. As his stomach rumbles, concern for the welfare of the abducted pig fills his heart. How could that evil monster seize such a beautiful girl pig? The curtain falls and the wolf begins planning a rescue strategy.
What does the wolf do? Does his physical hunger overcome his love for the stricken pigarrina? Or does he act nobly and save the graceful but forlorn ballet star? What would you do in such circumstances? Does love triumph in the end? To find out, go to the library and checkout this witty book, Swine Lake by James Marshall and Maurice Sendak.
The vivid play of imagination is quite evident in this book. Children will have no trouble understanding the book, and will think it is hysterical that pigs are dressed in ballet attire and gracefully dancing. The pictures of the wolf’s growing concern for the female lead dancer are delightful. Pay close attention to the pictures because they are as funny as the story. This book is not trying to tell some eternal truth, but is children’s literature at its rollicking best. I hope you get a chance to read this book with the younger members of your family. My wife kept laughing when she read it, and I think you will too. Enjoy!
