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Constant Reader

James Marshall is known for his hippo books, and his fairy tales, but in the late seventies he also produced a story called "Portly McSwine."

Tomi Ungerer has said that, if you're going to write a picture book, you should do your own illustrations. This is something James Marshall has paid attention to; Kevin Henkes, as well.

In "Portly McSwine," we are immediately taken to another world. Portly, a pig who dons a suit and bowtie to work for a business simply called "Truffles," wants to throw a party. He wants to celebrate National Snout Day. But he has a crippling case of social anxiety. What if the appetizers are inadequate? And the pastries? And the dancing? What if his stories are a bore?

As Portly tortures himself, he encounters friends. Emily Pig, exiting a Chinese restaurant (the "Wok Right In"), demands to know about a party menu. Esther the Secretary says--and this isn't helpful--"worrying will make you sick." The baker at "The Widow Cochon" has no patience for hand-wringing.

Of course the party is a wild success, and then--in a genuinely subversive twist--the success doesn't matter. We see that Portly can't take in the lesson. He goes right back to worrying. What in the world will he do for National Snout Day one year from now???

Just as Henkes's details make Henkes a genius, Marshall's details allow Marshall to shine. I'm very fond of "Truffles," "Wok Right In," and the strange church-lady-pig who seems to wear a large decorative swan on her head. You try to tell me Marshall wasn't having fun.

This is my reading rec for your weekend. I carry Portly in my own heart.
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