The Pig Scramble

Jessica Kinney is a Maine native and mother of six who lives and writes on the coast of Maine. A Bowdoin College graduate and former middle- and high-school English teacher, Kinney says her first book, The Pig Scramble, was inspired by a true story about her husband, who grew up as the youngest child on a Maine dairy farm and really did win a pig at a local fair.

Sarah S. Brannen is the author and illustrator of Uncle Bobby's Wedding. She also illustrated Feathers: Not Just for Flying, The Very Beary Tooth Fairy, Digging for Troy: From Homer to Hisarlik, Mathias Franey, Powder Monkey and The ABC Book of American Homes. She has illustrated for several children's magazines and is a regular contributor to Skating magazine.

"Warm, colorful illustrations depict life on a farm for Clarence and his siblings, showing an earnest Clarence trying to do all his brothers can... This old-fashioned story is warm and comforting... the gentle suspense will draw readers in, and the satisfying end is its own reward. A realistic look at life on a farm, this selection provides an understanding portrait of a youngest child and extols the virtues of patience and friendship." 
– Kirkus Reviews

"Kinney, a first-time children's book author, offers a quiet story of a Maine farm boy who's eager to fill the shoes of his two older brothers (except, maybe, when they're shoveling manure in the barn). Full of homey details, Kinney's prose takes its time establishing Clarence's insecurities about his small stature and limited helpfulness, as well as his love for his neighboring Uncle Leon, before getting to the heart of the matter: an annual competition at the county fair in which Clarence will be participating for the first time. The prize: the pig (and hopefully a bit of respect from his elders). Brannen contributes delicate watercolors that add to the book's strong sense of place. If the story is a bit slow-going and subdued, readers who, like Clarence, are more than ready to grow up will catch the wisdom in Uncle Leon's advice to "let the pig come to you." 
– Publishers Weekly

"With beautifully detailed, gently shaded, flowing watercolor illustrations, the world of Clarence's family farm and his boyhood experiences will jump off the page and right into the imagination of your child. The text is simple enough for newly independent readers to read on their own, but children of all ages will love to hear it read aloud as they listen to the tale with wide-eyed anticipation."
– Old Schoolhouse Magazine 

Sweetly inspired by her husband's experience growing up on a dairy farm in Maine, Jessica Kinney wrote "The Pig Scramble" for him. Uncle Leon offers encouragement to his nephew Clarence, the youngest of three who often feels left behind by his older and more capable brothers. Sarah S. Brannen's illustrations perfectly capture life on a New England farm.
– Children's Book Review