Granny Gomez feels lonely in her big country house: “ 'Maybe I will get a cat,' she said to her petunias. The petunias didn't say anything. They never did.” Underwood (Pirate Mom
) and Magoon (Spoon
) pack wry humor and slapstick into this appealing tale of a granny and her new pet pig, Jigsaw, who quickly becomes her pal: “They both liked cooking shows. They both liked watermelon. And they both liked jigsaw puzzles.” As Jigsaw grows, though, he creates havoc (“A little pig couldn't poke his head through Granny's bass drum. But a big pig could”). Granny—a mountain-climbing, drum-playing, can-do type—builds him a barn, complete with TV and kitchen, but finds that life isn't as fun without him. Colorful, cartoon-style illustrations ratchet up the laughs with comic details (such as Jigsaw and Granny facing off over the last slice of watermelon), but are equally endearing at other times. Jigsaw's floppy ears and lopsided grin are irresistible, as is Granny's spunk, in humorous contrast with her conventional, demure appearance (including a tidy gray bun)—further proof that friends can come in all kinds of packages. Ages 3–6. (Mar.)
