This is one of the best books for children (but not only for children) I've read for a long time! The characters are very believable and well drawn, I had the feeling to know them, they really feel like real persons!
I liked how realistic the phase for Benny rejecting the pig to really loving it is written!
And of course it was about time that someone speaks up for pigs! They really are intelligent and not dirty at all! I'd recommend this book to grown-ups, too!
I'm looking forward to other books by PV Lundqvist. ( )

All Benny Shoats wanted was a pet...well, that and a "normal" name (real name is Bengt...those in the know call him "Benny", those not call him "Bent") , but he'd settle for a pet just the same. Seeing as though it's his birthday and he and his mother are visiting the Pet-o-rama pet store, he feels he has a pretty good shot. Yep, a pup would be just the ticket to Benny's continued happiness. Good news for Benny...he is in fact getting a pet for his birthday! Bad news...his parents like to do thing "differently" and it's not quite the pet he had in mind. Benny wants to keep the news quiet, but things have a way of coming out and the new arrival to their small town is enough to start more than a few conversations. Will this be the ruin of young Benny's reputation or will it be the start of many life lessons learned that reveal what true courage, friendship, and love are all about?

Moral of the story...don't be afraid to let someone know you're being bullied whatever the manner may be. If they silence your voice, they've won...plain and simple. Just hiding your head in the sand about the situation won't work either...it doesn't often stop on its own. SPEAK UP. Let someone know what's happening be it a parent, teacher, principal, or other adult you trust. You don't have to endure bullying in silence as so many children (heck, even adults) do. You deserve to be you.

In summary, a great book in both message AND story. From the quirky cover art (did you see the little guy flying through the air by the title?) to the final scenes, it'll keep you turning pages to see just how this chapter of Benny's life turns out and leave you with a tear in your eye for all those suffering in silence in one way or another....but believe me, you will remember it. Happy reading... ( )

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

For his birthday, Benny receives a pig as a pet. At first, he wishes he would've gotten a dog, but then grows attached to it after he saves it from getting lost in the swamplands near his house.

One of the neighbors, however, is dead set against Benny's pig being kept as pet. Will Benny find a way to keep his new friend, or will he have to give it away?

A fun, realistic fiction story about a boy and his pig. The characters are well-developed, the plot is unique and keeps the reader's interest in unique ways.

Readers who like realistic fiction will enjoy NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST ANYMORE. ( )

Rating: 5/5

My 4 year old son absolutely adores me reading to him, and when he saw the cover of this book, he demanded that I read it to him right away. Both of us really enjoyed the story!

He loved it because it was story of a pig. I loved it for the lessons that I've seen him learn from it, even though we only finished it a few days ago. He was deepened by my teachings of self-esteem and standing up for not only what you believe in, but for what is right. We both enjoyed the story of a young boy given a unique birthday present/pet, and how sometimes you get the things you didn't even know you needed until you received it. The story flowed so well, I didn't feel any thing was lacking in how one person got from one place to another, and the quest that our young hero took was very riveting. The time spent in the rain storm in a log was worthy of college literature class discussions on symbolism. And while I read into the book more than my son did, he loved it too. He enjoyed growing with the characters and the pig.

Now, please get him off my back about why we can't have a pet pig in our apartment! ( )