Swine Lake

Swine Lake by James Marshall illustrated by Maurice Sendak

Nearly mad with hunger a wolf stumbles upon a theater advertising a performance of Swine Lake.  In an incredibly lucky turn, he happens into free tickets for box seats, delightfully close to the juicy, plump pigs on stage.  While carefully choosing which to devour first, a strange thing happens.  The wolf becomes completely absorbed in the ballet.  In fact, he is so taken with it, he makes many uncharacteristic decisions.

A surprising tale of how the arts can affect your life, Swine Lake, left me feeling sorry for the wolf (must be something about James Marshall that he is able to inspire these feelings in others) because he is so hungry and yet pleased with the overall outcome.  Illustrated by the incredible Maurice Sendak, Swine Lake is one to get you thinking.  Despite being a picture book, it will be best enjoyed by listeners (and readers) who can understand the twists and discuss them!

Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – A wolf muses that squirrel makes a tasty snack. A wolf ponders eating pigs.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.

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