Skip to Main Content

A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea

Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

About The Book

Could anything possibly be more fun than a pig parade!? You wouldn't think so. But you'd be wrong. A pig parade is a terrible idea. Pigs hate to march, refuse to wear the uniforms, don't care about floats, and insist on playing country music ballads. Those are just some of the reasons. And trust me, this hysterical book has plenty more!

About The Author

© Natalie Brasington

Michael Ian Black is a writer, comedian, and actor who has appeared on Another Period, The Jim Gaffigan Show, and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. He created and starred in many television series, has written screenplays, and regularly tours the country as a stand-up comedian. Michael is the bestselling author of the book My Custom Van, the memoir You’re Not Doing It Right, and the children’s books Chicken Cheeks, The Purple Kangaroo, A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea, I’m Bored, Naked!, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop!, and I’m Sorry. Michael lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children.

About The Illustrator

Photograph courtesy of the author

Kevin Hawkes has illustrated more than forty books for children, included the New York Times bestseller The Library Lion, Weslandia, Michael Ian Black’s A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea, and Santa in Cincinatti. He lives in Southern Maine, where he can be found wandering aimlessly in his garden, unless forced indoors, where he creates imaginary landscapes with cobalt blue skies.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 24, 2011)
  • Length: 40 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781416982838
  • Ages: 4 - 8

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

* "If this book’s arch-toned text wasn’t flat-out funny enough, Hawkes’ deliciously down-and-dirty art takes the concept to a whole other level.... Horror will mix with hysterical laughter when kids (and adults) get ahold of this one." -BOOKLIST, STARRED review

* "Black's pitch-perfect porcine parody sets off at a brisk pace.... The Monty Pythonesque premise delivers laugh after laugh, while Hawkes's portraits of pigs chewing on their band hats, tromping on their horns, and floating into outer space with parade balloons will win over readers of all ages." - PW, STARRED review

"The winner of the Most Absurd Picture Book of the Year Award, if there were one, would have to go to 'A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea,' written by Michael Ian Black and drawn by Kevin Hawkes. The joke is in the comically drawn-out contrast between the cute marching pigs of our imagination and the realistically sticky, glistening-nosed, frowning hogs."--New York Times Book Review

* "The tongue-in-cheek tone of the text coupled with the large-scale illustrations and generous trim size make this a surefire storyhour read-aloud that will elicit laughter and cheers of delight."- SLJ , STARRED review

Awards and Honors

  • Booklist Editors' Choice
  • Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (IN)
  • Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee (MD)
  • Chickadee Award Nominee (ME)
  • Bank Street Best Books of the Year - with Outstanding Merit
  • Irma S Black Finalist (Bank Street)

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Michael Ian Black

More books from this illustrator: Kevin Hawkes