Welcome to March 1, with National Pig Day. We will celebrate pigs in stories and kitchens. The first book is actual farm book from Orange Judd “Home Pork Production” by John Smedley, 1943. The author encourages farms to raise pigs. He goes on stating that “pigs require little labor, but can add very materially to the family food supply…there are thousands of suburbanites who could keep one or two pigs each on their lot (before zoning laws I would think.) The book is easy reading and explaining, as if for a 4-H reader.
My mom grew up in a farm in Wataga, IL, and had her share of raising pigs. She also had her share of 4-H and county fairs. Received scholarship to University of Illinois through program. My grandmother (Dad’s mom) also remembered as child seeing pigs butchered and canning pork in mason jars, when living in mountains of Tennessee. But my grandfather, (Dad’s Dad) grew up in Zion, Il and was not allowed to eat pork. I remember my Dad and Uncle both reminiscing about their local butcher shop, and getting beef bologna. I went there few years back (maybe 20-25) and bought a beef ring bologna for old times sake. Nonetheless, many people have had pork on their diet.
As for a literary pig, I have “Dancing Tom” by Elizabeth Coatsworth, 1939. The story of a pioneer family and their pig. He saves himself by dancing. And then saves the family son by dancing on a rattlesnake.
I next have Olivia the pig stories, with five books by Ian Falkner. There are “Olivia”, “…And the Missing Toy”, “…Saves the Circus”, “…Helps with Christmas”, and “…Forms a Band”. These are all greatly illustrated pig books, and every grandkid has enjoyed reading them.
Also have a pop-up book “The Three Little Pigs” by Tony Wolf, 1994.
Then have an unusual movable book, “The Three Little Pigs”, published in the 1960’s. When the page opens up, the figures sway back and forth. This book has seen better days. It is interesting that on first page, the Momma pig tells her three piglets that her house is too small, and that they need to go out and build their own homes.
As well as books, I have a pig game. This is called Pig Mania, and is a pig dice throwing game. Based on how the pigs land, you get so many points. A Double Leaning Jowler was worth 60 points, and you could roll again. The game was later bought out by Milton Bradley and renamed Pass the Pig.
Plenty of pigs to read about, and play with. But there is one more…
Today is Harry Caray’s birthday, born March 1, 1914. I have the book “The Harry Caray’s Restaurant Cookbook” 2003. You have to try the ‘Stuffed Italian Pork Chops.
Holy Pig!
Librarytomes 