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English Awards

		MR. CHRISTIE'S BOOK AWARD 2003 (CHRISTIE BROWN & CO.) FOR THE BEST ENGLISH BOOK (AGES 7 AND UNDER) PIPPIN THE CHRISTMAS PIG JEAN LITTLE ILLUSTRATIONS: WERNER ZIMMERMANN MARKHAM, ONT.: NORTH WINDS PRESS, 2003. 32 P. ISBN 0779114205 AGES 4 TO 8
Pippin the Christmas Pig Source

It is Christmas Eve, but Pippin the piglet is downhearted. Her farm animal friends have told her how their "very-great-grandparents" helped comfort baby Jesus when he was born in a stable. "What did the pigs do?" asks Pippin. The other animals reply that pigs were not worthy of being present at the Nativity. Hurt and determined to run away, Pippin ventures out into a raging snowstorm. But before long, she comes across a woman and baby who are lost in the storm, and guides the pair towards the warmth and shelter of the barn. Recognizing the piglet's strength and goodness, Pippin's once disdainful friends thank her for reminding them that the best gift of all is oneself.

Author Jean Little, winner of numerous children's literature awards, uses an inquisitive, plucky and appealing little pig to explain to children that being kind to others and appreciating their true value is at the very heart of the Christmas message. Werner Zimmermann's magnificent watercolour illustrations bring the farm animals to life and reinforce the emotions conveyed by the text. Readers who want to know more about how the characters were created can visit the illustrator's website at www.wernerzimmermann.ca (available in English only).

-NL