Wibbly Pig

Wibbly Pig is the title character of a series of picture books for babies and very young children, written and illustrated by Mick Inkpen. The series includes titles such as "Wibbly Pig Likes Bananas" (ISBN 0-340-75740-X) and "Is It Bedtime Wibbly Pig?". Like Inkpen's Kipper the Dog for slightly older readers, Wibbly Pig has been published internationally and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

The series are generally published as "board books", books with thick cardboard pages which are easier for very young children to turn and also more durable and easier to clean than normal books. Some of the Wibbly Pig books also have activity features such as flaps which can be lifted to reveal additional art.

Wibbly Pig is a favourite of pre-school children and an ideal introduction to simple ideas though intelligent yet basic text and questions.

Wibbly Pig is often accompanied by his favourite toys Pigly, Flop and Dimple.

Besides the books, Wibbly Pig has been made into other merchandise as well, such as stuffed toys. A boxed-set version of "Is It Bedtime Wibbly Pig?" (ISBN 0-340-89306-0) exists which includes a small beanie-style Wibbly.

Wibbly Pig is very similar to Arnold, the young pig friend of Inkpen's Kipper the Dog. It is possible that they represent the same character.

Like Kipper, Wibbly Pig also exists in the form of a life-sized costumed character who can greet and interact with children at special events such as library story hours.

References

*"Wibbly Pig to meet young fans", "Coventry Evening Telegraph" of March 19, 2004
*"Saying Much with Few (or No) Words", "Boston Globe" of August 20, 2000

External links

* [http://authorpages.hoddersystems.com/MickInkpen/ Official site]
* [http://www.sptimes.com/News/073000/Perspective/Children_s_books.shtml Series capsule review]
* [http://www.adoption-net.co.uk/news/2005/October/131005bookreview.htm "Tickly Christmas Wibbly Pig" review]