Yes, it’s hard to believe that we nearly went to war over a pig, but it’s TRUE! And this book turns the incident into a funny, but cautionary tale that isn’t stridently moralistic. And you have to love that pig blimp leaping over the harbor on the cover!
The author, Emma Bland Smith, first provides context for readers: a map of where this happened, in the San Juan Islands off the northwest coast of the U.S., the date (1859), the setting, the characters, and—most importantly—the mood that was “about to change, for the worse.” This sets the perfect tone for the story: serious cheekiness.
One spring day an American settler named Lyman Cutlar looked out his window and spied a large pig rooting in his potato patch. The pig was British. Or at least its owner was.
As Cutlar chases the pig, the text offers additional context, saying that the U.S. was on reasonable terms with the Brits after the Revolutionary War (nearly a century before) and the War of 1812 (settled 30 years after that). Both groups were living civilly with each other, although in separate groups on the island.
Bland’s speculation about the inciting incident is filled with humor:
Maybe Lyman hadn’t had his coffee. Maybe he’d slept poorly. Maybe he was looking forward to boiling those potatoes….But for whatever reason, when he saw that pig, he got cranky….and the pig paid the ultimate price.
The rest, they say, is history.
Lyman regrets his hasty decision, and offers to pay its owner for the animal he’s killed. Its owner (with a gleam in his eye) demands an outrageous amount of money, and the two start to fight. Let’s just say that matters escalate to unbelievable (if it weren’t really true!!) proportions. Letters are written. The military gets involved.
Ships from both sides amass in the harbor. Tensions rise. How will this all end?
You’ll have to read the book.
Alison Jay’s illustrations, with some wonderfully distorted perspectives, are fabulous and serve as a distinct metaphor for the story. They also enhance the playful aspect of what could have been a very dry history lesson. I love how the humor bleeds into the jacket copy, describing the author as an American citizen, and the illustrator as a British subject. A lovely way to show that we’re all back on speaking (and creating) terms, LOL.
Activities:
Pair this book with Enemy Pie by Derek Munson or The Fort by Laura Perdew
Teach kids concrete ways to resolve conflicts
Make a PEACE flag
Title: The Pig War: How a Porcine Tragedy Taught England and America to Share
Author: Emma Bland Smith
Illustrator: Alison Jay
Publisher: Calkins Creek, 2020
Ages: Elementary school
Themes: conflict resolution, U.S. History, San Juan Islands
For more perfect picture book recommendations, please visit Susanna Hill’s website.
Jilanne Hoffmann 
Eek! This looks HILARIOUS and adorable and wonderful! I am going to check right now to see if my library has it. What a unique and strange-in-all-the-right ways book. Thrilled for the recommendation – thank you.
And I’m thrilled that you are excited to check out this book! I think you will find lots to love within its pages!
I can’t wait to read this book – I’d stumbled upon the original story and put it on my list to explore. Love the art, and the storytelling!
It’s a crazy story, isn’t it? Amazing how humans can turn molehills into mountains and live to regret it. I’m glad that in this case calmer heads prevailed.
It seems odd to say this book is timely since it’s about something that happened in our past, but if we can learn from our past, maybe we can stop some of the current extreme crazy before it gets worse. I look forward to reading this book.
Yes, I hope that it gets used widely in schools to lead discussions of how incidents escalate and how a bit of calm negotiation is a far better way to go.
Looking forward to this one – I also love Jay’s ” wonderfully distorted perspectives”!
Me, too! That’s one of the things that first attracted me to this book. The cover art is just the tip of the unusual “perspective iceberg.”
I am totally intrigued to read this history now. I know the San Juan Islands. Like Julie, love the perspective in the illos.
A great book to use for conflict escalation and resolution. Thinking it would be useful in your library.
Great review. I’ve got this one sitting in my TBR pile. Now to go dig it out.
I thought you might have this one. Enjoy!
You shared enough that I’m going to have read this incredible story. I can’t believe its based on a true story. It sounds hilarious! I always enjoy how you review books! Thanks for sharing this one today. And I agree that this is a timely book about conflict resolution — and told in a way kids will understand!
Thank you! I think that kids will enjoy laughing at how ridiculous adults can be, and learn a little something at the same time. Perhaps apply it to their own situations!
Who knew that a meandering, hungry pig could cause such a stir. Sounds like a wonderful tale to kindle a love of history in kids and discuss conflict resolution.
I’m still wondering whether they buried or ate the pig, LOL. Kids will love this story.