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A Preston Pig Story
Suddenly
A story that will make children read SUDDENLY! about a little pig and a hungry wolf.
A little pig is walking down the street, unaware of the hungry wolf waiting around the corner. SUDDENLY, the pig remembers he has left something behind and turns away at the last second, leaving the wolf to fall flat on his face. The wolf pursues the little pig throughout the day, but the pig, quite unaware, evades him every time. In the end the wolf gets his come-uppance in an unexpected and hilarious way.
Young children will love predicting the outcomes and joining in the chorus of “SUDDENLY . . . !”
A little pig is walking down the street, unaware of the hungry wolf waiting around the corner. SUDDENLY, the pig remembers he has left something behind and turns away at the last second, leaving the wolf to fall flat on his face. The wolf pursues the little pig throughout the day, but the pig, quite unaware, evades him every time. In the end the wolf gets his come-uppance in an unexpected and hilarious way.
Young children will love predicting the outcomes and joining in the chorus of “SUDDENLY . . . !”
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
5 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Colin McNaughton
164 books25 followersGrowing up in his native England, the young Colin McNaughton had little indication that he would one day become an author-illustrator. There were no books at all in his parents' home, he recalls, but there were always comics. These were his formative literature, and their slapstick humor has been a lasting influence. "I've been talking about the comic format for years," he says. "It's the modern way of telling stories for today's children; it's about movement, the step between film and the book."
Colin McNaughton says he "hated school. The word 'school' still gives me nightmares." Opting for technical college, he admits he even "made a mess of getting in there -- I'd filled out the application wrong, and when I turned up for registration they'd never heard of me!" So he worked at odd jobs for the next year before entering art school. Although his first book was published while he was still in school, Colin McNaughton did not immediately become a full-time artist. He first tried editorial and advertising work, but did not find the satisfaction that he got out of creating children's books. "At the end of it, there it is, a book on the shelf, not like a newspaper in the gutter. In fact, once you start thinking about it, it's a smashing job!" If the response to his books is any indication, children and adults seem to agree that Colin McNaughton is doing a "smashing job."
Colin McNaughton lives in London with his wife.
Colin McNaughton says he "hated school. The word 'school' still gives me nightmares." Opting for technical college, he admits he even "made a mess of getting in there -- I'd filled out the application wrong, and when I turned up for registration they'd never heard of me!" So he worked at odd jobs for the next year before entering art school. Although his first book was published while he was still in school, Colin McNaughton did not immediately become a full-time artist. He first tried editorial and advertising work, but did not find the satisfaction that he got out of creating children's books. "At the end of it, there it is, a book on the shelf, not like a newspaper in the gutter. In fact, once you start thinking about it, it's a smashing job!" If the response to his books is any indication, children and adults seem to agree that Colin McNaughton is doing a "smashing job."
Colin McNaughton lives in London with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 23, 2017
Preston the pig is being followed - by the Big Bad Wolf! What will Preston do (or not do) to avoid harm? Entertaining book that could also be used as an example of 'stranger-danger' avoidance for small children.
September 19, 2018
Little pig gets followed by a big bad wolf but everytime he manages to escape. A lovely book with vibrant and comical illustrations.
November 26, 2012
This book is about a naughty wolf who follows a pig called Preston around trying to eat him but he keeps missing and falling flat on his face. In the end the wolf is taken away on a stretcher from falling so many times! It confirms that wolves are bad and that in the end Preston ends up safe in his mother's arms. The illustrations are amazing and really engage the children.
This story is good for talking about what might happen next, the repetition of "Suddenly..." is fun for the children and allows them to join in when reading as a class. Children could act out different parts of the story or talk about what could have happened instead. It could be used to teach children about beginnings, middles and ends by having children sort pictures of the story into the correct order.
This story is good for talking about what might happen next, the repetition of "Suddenly..." is fun for the children and allows them to join in when reading as a class. Children could act out different parts of the story or talk about what could have happened instead. It could be used to teach children about beginnings, middles and ends by having children sort pictures of the story into the correct order.
November 3, 2007
Kindergarteners LOVED reading Suddenly and making predictions about the story! We couldn't believe that Preston the pig kept wiggling out of trouble without even realizing it! We got better and better at our predictions as the story went on, but most of us were STILL tricked at the end of the book!
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December 4, 2014This hilarious story is about a wolf who follows a pig around for a whole day without the pig even realizing it. Students will love to follow the adventures of this oblivious pig who always manages to escape the grasp of the wolf.
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March 29, 2016Based on the characters in the book, students will think they know how this will end...but unexpected twists turn up on every page! A great story to consider and write predictions, or to change the ending.
October 11, 2018
I enjoyed this book as it’s repetitive word scheme provides children with an easy way of predicting what will happen as the word that is continually repeated is ‘suddenly’. The repetition also allows children to join in as they can tell by the way that it is structured, which words are coming up. The way it is set out and structured means that it can be read at a good pace and the word ‘suddenly’ is always put in much larger font, with an exclamation mark on the end which would encourage expression and you would expect the children to learn to do the same.
The large, clear illustrations mean that the children can use their early comprehension skills to work out what is happening. The illustrations are so clear that you would be able to cover up the text and work out the gist of the book solely on the pictures. The fact that the wolf always hurts himself instead of the pig, also adds comedy value through slapstick for the children and this means the children engage more. The characters are also related to that of ‘the three little pigs’ which Is a well-known fairy tale and a lot of children would have heard it. If they have, then this would give the children more background knowledge to the book and would enable them to put the characters into context and are more likely to comprehend the book, as well as make more correct predictions.
The large, clear illustrations mean that the children can use their early comprehension skills to work out what is happening. The illustrations are so clear that you would be able to cover up the text and work out the gist of the book solely on the pictures. The fact that the wolf always hurts himself instead of the pig, also adds comedy value through slapstick for the children and this means the children engage more. The characters are also related to that of ‘the three little pigs’ which Is a well-known fairy tale and a lot of children would have heard it. If they have, then this would give the children more background knowledge to the book and would enable them to put the characters into context and are more likely to comprehend the book, as well as make more correct predictions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2019
I read this to a lovely Yr1 class and we all enjoyed it immensely.
November 9, 2019
I liked this book's take on pig vs wolf trope; it mirrors Wiley Coyote vs Road Runner in the way that the pig evades the wolf's violence. The repetition of the quote "silly me" would be great for children to join in with.
April 21, 2020
This book is about a wolf who follows a little pig around for a whole day. The characters will remind children of the story of "The Three Little Pigs" which should enable them to make great predictions! A very funny book for Reception children.
October 22, 2014
This is one of my favorite stories to share during a story time or with an early grade class. Little Preston Pig narrowly escapes being pounced on by a wolf as he heads home from school and then goes on an errand for his mum. Of course the children all see the danger Preston is in and how things keep going terribly wrong for the wolf. It's all good fun and ends with a big HUG from Mum and Wolf being carted away on a hospital stretcher.
Come to think of it, it's much like the old Wily Wolf and the Roadrunner cartoons.
Come to think of it, it's much like the old Wily Wolf and the Roadrunner cartoons.
December 24, 2017
This is a very entertaining story about a young pig being stalked by a wolf. Danger lurks around every corner, but suddenly... the pig unknowingly outwits his pursuer.
The narrative is repetitive and the illustrations are hilarious. The story is sure to appeal to young children and I can imagine that it would work very well in a group storytime. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
The narrative is repetitive and the illustrations are hilarious. The story is sure to appeal to young children and I can imagine that it would work very well in a group storytime. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
April 7, 2011
A young pig goes about his day as a wolf is chasing him around the town. The wolf is about to eat the pig when "SUDDENLY!". This repetitive line is repeated during every situation. And, as always, the pig ends up turning around at the right time (just in time to escape the wolf). A good book to teach predictions and cause and effect.
December 20, 2011
Eh. My niece and I agree that Oops! was better (and I really didn't care much for that one, either). My niece and nephew barely laughed at Suddenly. In fact, I think the only page that got a chuckle out of them was the final one, and that's just because they appreciated that the author successfully tricked them.
June 16, 2014
I actually do not particularly care to read this book to my son as I find it too simple and repetitive but my son(3) made me read this book over and over again for about 6 months. He loved it! He is all about the big bad wolf and "scary" stories.
March 17, 2016
This is a cute story about a wolf that is creeping up on a pig all the time - but the pig changes his direction just in the knick of time. Cute story!
We used it to talk about how to add suspense to our stories.
We used it to talk about how to add suspense to our stories.
December 6, 2016
A great story for teaching prediction and cause and effect. Preston the pig is having a busy day going shopping, going to school, and going to the park, but a hidden threat lurks at every corner....the Big Bad Wolf. Will the wolf's wicked plans succeed, or will something surprising happen?
February 16, 2008
she really likes anything to do with the 3 little pigs - it's her favorite story besides cinderella
March 3, 2008
Always good to listen to your instincts.
March 28, 2008
This is a story within a story. This is a cute book about the day in the life of a pig and the things that "SUDDENLY" happened to him.
January 2, 2009
Another of our favorite bedtime stories!
April 21, 2009
Hilarious! I used this book for Read Across America Day and the 2nd and 3rd graders loved anticipating the next un-event.
March 22, 2010
Cute story about a wolf that tries to catch a pig all day. Good story to use as a read-aloud and having the students join in by saying Suddenly as you read.
November 16, 2010
Brilliant...
Favourite bit was when the bully was eaten...
Favourite bit was when the bully was eaten...
May 7, 2011
A perenial favorite from the bookshelf, Preston feels like someone is following him because someone is...sweet ending.
August 26, 2011
This is one of those pure picture books where the words and illustrations blend together seamlessly. Kids love this scary and funny story of another adorable pig!
May 1, 2012
This is such a funny book. Spoiler alert: This is a book about a pig and a wolf is always tring to eat him put the wolf is the only one who gets hurt
October 8, 2012
A humorous tale about a pig who repeatedly avoids disaster. A read aloud could turn into a perfect exercise in prediction!
May 25, 2013
This is a wonderful silly book. Large pictures, great for a read aloud. I kinda feel bad for the wolf.
February 4, 2015
Cause and Effect
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews