Summary:
Mr. Piggins is the family butler and the family is going on a picnic together. The family plans a mystery for Mr. Piggins to solve because they have a surprise for him. In the end, Piggins solves the mystery and the surprise was a birthday party for him.

Personal Reaction:
Very cute book. I love how the family made their servants feel like they were part of the family. It's great to treat the people that work with you the same respect that you treat your family with.

Classroom Ideas:
1. Come up with a mystery for the children to solve.
2. Bake a cake with the children
3. Throw a surprise party for the children

The moral of the story can be thought of, but not found. The reader must imagine that in order for all of his friends to surprise him for his birthday, he must have friends indeed. Although Mr. Piggins is a butler to the two kits he is still very much their good friend and fatherly figure. The story speaks about how he is trust worthy and how the kits "love doing things with Piggins, They know he is more than a butler. He was a hero is Boar War. He has solved mysteries. And, with a bit of persuading he can be made to sing." These great characteristics all make PIggins a great man who is loved by many. This same idea of being a kind and genuine person to all, even people who are above you, can result in many great friendships and partnerships alike. ( )

This was the first Piggins book I've ever read...I'm definitely going to seek out the rest of the series! If you have trouble with the concept of picture book mysteries, this is one of the best examples I"ve found. Piggins himself is very cute - he could be a companion to Agatha Christie's Poirot or Miss Marple! I also loved the "cross-section" illustrations of the house. ( )

This book tells the tale of a mystery about a family and their clever butler.

My son and I liked the Piggins books when he was young and when I read them aloud to a group of mostly 6 and 7 year olds the response is positive. In this one Piggins has a bit of a surprise mystery to solve and does it very well indeed.