Sir Pigglesworth’s Adventures in Pigonia: The Sir Pigglesworth Adventure Series, Book 4 is an action and adventure storybook for children, grades K-3, written by JoAnn Wagner and Sara Dean, and illustrated by David Darchicourt. Many of the readers who have followed Sir Pigglesworth’s exploits in London, Vancouver, BC and New York City are probably wondering just how the adventurous pig got himself a title. Well, it all started in the island nation of Pigonia several hundred years ago. Sir Pigglesworth’s ancestor was sent there by the King to establish a royal colony. The Pigonians prospered and lived happy lives until the present day. The Duchess of Pigglesworth, who would become his mother, received a desperate appeal from the beleaguered islanders who were being attacked by pirates. When apprised of the situation, Queen Alexandra assembled a team to go to the Pigonians’ aid. The Duchess, Admiral Snout, and Reginald J. Hoggbottom would lead the team. Their efforts made the island a safer place, but then the pirates grew braver still. Would the Pigonians be able to survive their next onslaught?

JoAnn Wagner and Sara Dean’s action and adventure storybook for children grades K-3, Sir Pigglesworth’s Adventures in Pigonia, gives young readers the background to the knighting of Sir Pigglesworth, and, along the way, provides some first-rate pig versus pirate battles. These pigs play hard, but fight even harder to protect their island. And while young readers will be enchanted by the flying potatoes and mud balls, the intense battles and the skirmishes, their parents and caregivers might find themselves remembering classic pirate movies featuring the likes of Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone battling fiercely with swords while poised on the rigging of their pirate ships. While I’ve loved reading about each of Sir Pigglesworth’s visits to some very special cities, I have to admit that Sir Pigglesworth’s Adventures in Pigonia is of special interest in that it gives the reader some historical background to the series, and it's lots of fun to boot. And it did answer any questions I had about his knighthood. Sir Pigglesworth’s Adventures in Pigonia: The Sir Pigglesworth Adventure Series, Book 4, is most highly recommended.

Sir Pigglesworth's Adventures in Pigonia (Sir Pigglesworth Adventure Series) Book 4 is written by JoAnn Wagner and Jim DeBellis, and illustrated by David Darchicourt. Set in the wonderful world of Pigonia, the adventure begins as piglets begin to disappear, rumours abound, and the island is invaded by pirates. The head of the band of cutthroats is Captain Phineas Nastybeard, and his intentions towards the inhabitants of Pigonia are not at all good. It’s left to Duchess Penelope and Duke Reginald, and their son, Spencer, to save Pigonia and defeat the pirates.

This is a real tale of adventure for the pigs of Pigonia and the hierarchy from London in their bid to bring calm and tranquillity back to the island. The reader is given a brief history of Pigonia to set the scene for the story, which is helpful. There is a delightful map of the island to explore, and the wonderful illustrations by David Darchicourt really bring the story to life. The authors, JoAnn Wagner and Jim DeBellis, have created an amazing, believable world that children will love. But this story is not just about pirates and mud games and ingenious ways to defeat the pirates. It is also about friendship and the importance of teamwork. The inhabitants of Pigonia are a peace-loving bunch, but when it comes to defending their island they will stop at nothing. It’s amazing what can be achieved with a potato and a tomato. A rip-roaring, fast-paced adventure that will have readers on the edge of their seats and looking forward to the next book in the series.