The Adventures of a South Pole Pig by Chris Kurtz

Flora is a pig with wild aspirations! The firstborn of the litter, she longs for more than a hedged-in farm existence.  Flora is compelled to do more in this life than just eat and sleep! An accidental escape from the pen whets her appetite for more shenanigans.  While on the loose, Flora catches a glimpse of sled dogs in training and is immediately smitten.  Luna the Cat cautions, “Adventure turns to trouble.” Adventure- or trouble- comes knocking when two men hoist Flora out of the pen and into a dark crate.  Flora ends up on a ship headed to the South Pole together with explorers intent on crossing Antarctica via dogsled team! Flora innocently assumes that she’s an integral part of the pack pulling the sled.  Readers empathize with Flora who is obviously the intended dinner fare.

Reading Level: Ages 9+
Read Aloud: Ages 6+

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig is a high-energy page-turner! With short chapters, readers will have no problem flipping to the next one.  Fans of Wilbur (Charlotte’s Web) will fall in love with Flora’s charming and feisty personality.  She shows off strength of character throughout the book.  For example: “Flora was determined not to give up on her dream.  She continued to pull her box back and forth to improve her strength.” It would have been easy for Flora to choose negativity and complaining in a seemingly hopeless situation, but she kept her eye on the prize.  Her model character even rubbed off on shipmates.  Proudly independent Sophia, initially insulting, later is heard doling out encouragement.  She says to Flora “You were amazing.  We could never have made it without you.”

This chilling journey is full of uncertainty, suspense, and colorful characters.  Sophia, Aleric, and Oscar have rough edges, but they learn to work as a team from a resilient and determined little pig. Flora reminds readers that our aspirations can shatter the molds we’re born into.

I found the Rat Catching Lessons between Sophie and Flora to be redundant.

Overall, this is an appealing book for young readers.  Everyone loves cheering for the underdog or the darkhorse – or in this case, the underpig! Flora’s resiliency and determination are admirable. However, there are a few things I would address with children while reading:

Language:

The men who come to capture Flora shout “confound it” in anger.
Name-calling; Flora is referred to as a Barnyard Bonehead, Bacon Maker and Ham Bone.
Flora, alone with her thoughts calls herself a “big, fat fool.”

Questionable Behavior:

Don’t be fooled by the adorable pen and ink illustrations.  Kurtz explicitly describes a few rat slaughters.  While this ghastly narrative may not bother some readers, sensitive children may be disturbed.
Amos the Cook angrily kicks Aleric, the cabin boy, in an effort to teach him a lesson.
Aleric has a terrible attitude and complains about his lot in life.

This review is written by Kristine Karen-Lynn. To learn more about Kristine, click HERE.

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