When Pigs Fly, written by Valerie Coulman and illustrated by Rogé, takes us on the quest of Ralph the cow who wants to ride a bike. I know, when I first read the book I thought “Wait…I thought this was about pigs flying?” Don’t worry, keep reading, it’s coming.
Ralph’s first stop is asking his father to buy him a bicycle. His dad reminds him that cows don’t ride bikes.
“Not yet they don’t,” Ralph said.
Ralph isn’t necessarily told “no” just that what he wants to do is impossible. He’s got the unattainable goal. My kids are in karate and recently they learned about goals. S.M.A.R.T. goals to be exact and Ralph’s goal doesn’t seem to fit into the acronym. (I didn’t know what this meant until the lesson in karate so here it is, in case you were wondering too - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reasonable, and Time-Based)
Well, let’s see if maybe - although as different as the goal may sound - if it actually does fit:
Specific - Ralph wants to ride a bike and his dad says he will buy him a bike when pigs fly (see, there it is!).
Measurable - there are definite steps that Ralph has to take in order to get to his bike-riding goal. First, he must learn how to fly a helicopter. Then he can take the pigs for a ride. Finally, Dad will buy Ralph a bike.
Achievable - well…? Maybe? Although, I’ve never seen a cow ride a bike much less fly a helicopter or see pigs fly, the world of picture books is magical and this goal just may happen.
Reasonable - well, again, bike riding for a cow? Who knows? Keep reading to find out!
Time-Based - Yes, all this takes time and will Ralph keep going or give-up? Will anyone help out Ralph along the way?
Ralph talks to his friend Morris and then Millie a woman loading suitcases onto an airplane, both are equally confused. Then Ralph meets Bill and Bill teaches Ralph how to fly a helicopter so Ralph can take them for a ride and then pigs will fly and then his dad will buy him a bicycle AND THEN Ralph will finally ride a bike.
“Every day that week Bill showed Ralph how to fly a helicopter.”
I love the illustrations during the flying lessons because everyone takes notice: the farm animals and the people in town. Ralph and Bill flying is not something happening just around them, it’s happening to them. They are enjoying what they see almost as much as Ralph is enjoying his lessons! We even see a couple of smiles from Bill.
In the end, Ralph, of course, completes his goal. He rides his bike and pigs fly. Valerie Coulman does a wonderful job portraying an outrageous goal and showing the steps it takes in order to get there. I love that she doesn’t have Ralph struggling to do it on his own. He doesn’t have an I’ll-show-them attitude. He is kind to everyone who replies, “cows don’t ride bikes”. It doesn’t even discourage him. Ralph keeps moving forward. He isn’t a quitter and eventually finds someone who helps him in one area so that all the rest falls into place.
When Pigs Fly is a fun read aloud with good repetitive lines that your child will quickly memorize so you can “read” it together. The bright and bold illustrations spread across both pages with interesting depictions causing a giggle or two.