Origin
This is a true story. Well – almost a true story.
One day I showed Melissa how to make a little, felt bookmark mouse. As soon as her friends saw it, they wanted one too. So Melissa went into business making mice. Each one was special. Each one was different. Each had a name. In the end, she couldn’t part with any of them. I watched this happening and thought, “That’s exactly what Jillian would do.” I started to write and then I got stuck. The Wonderful Mice of Jillian Jiggs didn’t sound right. It clunked! I gave up and put the story away. Weeks later, I awoke with a start. Jillian wouldn’t make mice. She would make -PIGS!
Fun Facts
One of the pigs wears a dress that is made from the material of the dress in the first Jillian book.
Our car is in the book.
The book is dedicated to my husband, Brian.
The rainbow picture on the cover was designed by my daughter, Leora.
Hide and Seek
Someone is reading the book, Little Blue Ben.
A drawing of Little Blue Ben and his family
A picture from The Balloon Tree
The Balloon Tree book
The Wizard’s cat from The Balloon Tree
Jillian’s boxes
Toy chickens
Activities
Activity #1: Adding, subtracting, and multiplying pigs. This can be done using pink paper cut out pigs or- for the really ambitious- stuffed, sewn pigs. Examples:
- If each pig cost 10 cents, how much money would Jillian make if she sold 3 pigs?
- If Rachel made 5 pigs and sold 2, how many would she have left?
Activity #2: Sorting pigs: As above, only students sort the pigs by colour, size or other distinguishing characteristics.
Activity #3: Start as above, then have students divide pigs up. How many do they each get? How many are left over? Does someone have more or less?
Activity #4: Have a pig-nic. Suggestions: Ham sandwiches, pigs in blankets, etc.
Activity #5: Collect sayings derived from pigs. For example: Go hog wild. Pig out.
Activity #6: Make stuffed pigs following instructions at the back of The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs book. A word to the wise: don’t attempt this without classroom helpers. Once students have created their pigs, have them create an environment for them using a shoebox. For instance, a space pig’s box could be covered with aluminum foil to resemble a space ship or a strange planet with 3 moons. A vampire pig could live in a cave. Then have students write or tell a story about their pigs.
