Pete & Pickles by Berkeley Breathed

Reviewed by Lori
Pete & Pickles
Title: Pete & Pickles

Author: Berkeley Breathed

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 30426

Description: When Pickles the elephant turns his life upside-down, Pete the pig comes to realize that a perfectly predictable, practical, and uncomplicated life is not always preferable.






Curriculum Links: 

  • Art: Artwork and Artists
  • Art: Computer Generated Artwork
  • Character Ed: Empathy
  • Character Ed: Teamwork
  • Reading: Transforming
  • Self-Regulation
  • Social Studies: Our Changing Roles and Responsibilities
  • Social Studies: Feelings
  • Writing: Narrative

Notes: 

Design: The title is what drew me in for this book.  The pig and the elephant look to be having fun on both the front and back cover.  The end papers are plain and bright orange.  A very happy colour.  The text font is clear and easy to read.  

Content and Illustrations: I actually got a little teary with my first reading of this story and every time I read it I seem to see something new.  While the story starts rather morose (Pete is tending the grave of his late wife) it quickly picks up speed with the arrival of Pickles, a gregarious and imaginative circus elephant on the run. Pickles manages to turn Pete's life upside down and as a perfectly practical pig he's not too sure he's happy about it.  But when there is the chance that he may never see Pickles again he realizes how important his new friend really is.  The illustrations in this book were phenomenal.  There was a mix of simple line drawings, full page artwork, and inset boxes.  It was fun to find the pigs in Pete's home - his couch, bedside lamps, and the little snout of his bed.  Pete also has some famous works of art up on his wall and on several different pages he finds himself within those landscapes and scenes. The best part of the book for me was the ending, how pigs and elephants are perfectly suited to help one another.  


Recommended Audience: Kindergarten to High School
  • A fantastic Read Aloud for any grade
  • A good book to include with any art courses as the variety of artwork in the book and the different styles used by Berkley Breathed can be discussed/copied
  • Every school and library should have a copy!

Inquiries and Activities: 
  • How many different works of art can you identify in this book.  Who are the original artists?  Research one of the artists and present them to the class.
  • How many different "pig" items can you find in Pete's house.
  • Visit an Art Gallery or view items in books or online.  Find a piece of art that you like. Create a book page like Pete and Pickles using this piece of art.
  • How is Pete transformed by meeting Pickles?
  • Who are you more like - Pete or Pickles? Why?  Create a T Chart that shows each of their character traits.  


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