This book is about a women who buys a pig, but when she tries to take it home it will not cross the bridge. She is very sad because she does not want her son to be scared and lonely. She enlists the help of a dog, rat, and cat to finally make the pig the cross the bridge. GENRE: folktale. USES: teach about folklore. MEDIA: oil paint or acrylics?

The Old Woman and Her Pig is about a little boy and his grandmother who live in a house. The little boy finds a penny and they decide to buy a pig. The old lady goes into town to get the pig and she brings him back towards home. The pig won't cross the bridge that goes to her house though. She runs into a bunch of different animals that could help her help the pig cross the bridge. She's worried because the little boy will be by himself. She says he's okay because he has the moonlight. She meets a rat, a cat, a dog, and finally they all work together to get the pig over the bridge.

This is a cute rendition of the old Appalachian tell about a woman who buys a pig, but can't get it to cross the bridge when she tries to take it home. She finally gets the aid of a cat to accomplish her goal. I remember my dad reciting this little chant! Primary grades should love this one. ( )

Could work really well as both a read-aloud and for storytelling. MacDonald has released several of these individual folktales in the past few years and this is high quality just like all the others. The repetition and cumulative nature of the tale make it appealing and the addition of the two songs will just add more fun for those willing to jump into the musical end of things. The illustrations (some sort of painting, maybe acrylics?) are warm and bright with lots of texture. A short, but thorough note at the end of the tale explains its origins and what MacDonald added herself. ( )

A sweet story about an old woman living with a boy. She goes to buy a pig but the pig won't cross the bridge on the way home. The end of the book provides the melody for the songs the woman sings.