ReadItDaddy's Chapter Book of the Week - Week Ending 24th March 2017 - "The Seriously Extraordinary Diary of Pig" by Emer Stamp (Scholastic Children's Books)

Oooh! If there's one thing that gets our trotters in a twist, it's the prospect of re-reading fabulous books we've already loved in hardback in their new paperback clothes.
Our Chapter Book of the Week this week is the fabulous paperback edition of "The Seriously Extraordinary Diary of Pig", with pig back for a third sitting at his diary desk. 

Who'd think that a fairly ordinary porker could lead such a frantic and adventure-filled life? Pig most certainly does!

Back in the mists of time, I read "The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig" to Charlotte, and it was such a huge hit that she's read it many, many times since. In the first book, Pig falls foul of some rather horrible chickens who seem intent on ridding the farm of pig for good. If you're new to Emer's Pig stories you really should dig out the first book, it's pigging brilliant!

As well as nefarious and evil chickens, pig comes up with an awesome plan for a rather strange mode of transport - a tractor rocket, fuelled by the most natural (and probably the pongiest) fuel ever. We'll leave you to find out what that is (ew!!!)

In the mists of time, we seem to have lost touch with our favourite porcine but his adventures continued and Book 2, "The Super Amazing Adventures of Me, Pig" introduces a new friend for Pig to go on crazy adventures with. Kitty is a vegetarian cat, and the two become firm friends while living on Pig's new farm (with two vegetarian farmers who aren't in danger of fancying a round of bacon, very luckily for Pig!)

However, not everything on the farm is rosy. Duck warns Pig that Kitty may not be the perfect purring feline she seems, and may have her own sneaky plans in hand - for getting pig into some SERIOUS trouble!

Now Pig is back! In "The Seriously Extraordinary Diary of Pig", Pig, Duck, Cow and the Sheeps are far away from home but never far away from danger as they go on a rambunctious expedition. Expect mischief, mayhem, plops, squelches and complete craziness as Pig once again chronicles his adventures in a whole new diary.

I've often said that any book series that can make Charlotte genuinely cackle with glee is always going to be a huge win and Emer Stamp's fabulous characterisations are fab to read aloud (though nowadays, Charlotte is more likely to snatch the books out of my hand with a whoop of glee, and closet herself away until she's voraciously read through the lot!).

"The Top Secret Diary of Pig", "The Super Amazing Adventures of Me, Pig" and the latest fabulous book "The Seriously Extraordinary Diary of Pig" are available from Scholastic Publishing with the third book just released in paperback (2nd February) giving us a great excuse to let Pig loose in our Book of the Week slot. 

A crackling trio sure to make your bacon sizzle. 

Charlotte's best bit: She's still a sucker for a pig-fuelled fart gag or 20

Daddy's favourite bit: A brilliant excuse for me to wheel out my comedy voices, as reading these aloud is a heck of a lot of fun. 

(Kindly sent for review)

"The Seriously Extraordinary Diary of Pig" by Emer Stamp is out now in paperback, published by Scholastic.