The cute illustrations of Andrea Zuill’s Business Pig do not quite make up for slightly weak story line. We have seen the “be yourself” and “good things” will come to you before. Yes, we have not seen it with a pig born in a business suit, likes charts and is very logical before, but we have seen it.
Jasper, our lovable hero, is a “gen-u-WINE Business Pig!” And he knows that if he waits, tries some new advertising tricks as well as some tried and true methods, his forever home will come about. Until then, he is loved by most of the barnyard, he helps with the farms bookkeeping and keeps his chin up the best he can. Will Jasper ever be able to trade business cards with a special friend?
The illustrations are fun to peruse. Especially when (spoiler) a particular young lady happens along, and she is a lot like our Business Pig (of course, upper management has to be consulted first to seal the deal). The new friend just has a quality about her that is silly, practical and just perfect example of the stories theme. The humor might be slightly over the very young child’s head, but the adult will snort with glee as you go along rooting for that something special pig, Jasper!
Zuilli’s signature style comes out in her art. Amazon’s author biography calls them “quirky figurative paintings.” And that seems to fit them nicely. However, this style is not for everyone as the slightly non-realism can be a little off putting.