Babe: The Gallant Pig

Babe: The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith is indeed yet another incredible member of the children’s classics. With a distinct similarity to the very well known “Charlotte’s Web” By E. B. White, Babe is certainly a wonderful book. The story is of a small piglet named, you guessed it: Babe. Mr. Hogget wins Babe offhandedly at the county fair, and brings Babe home with mainly bacon in mind. After meeting Fly, (the sheepdog) and adopting her as a sort of mother, Babe decides he very badly wants to try to learn to herd sheep. Fly teaches him as best she can, and in due time Babe becomes quite good at it, but not because he can nip at heels, and obey commands. He is friends with Ma, an older ewe, and instead of treating the sheep as a sheepdog would, he asks them politely to do things. And it works! Then tragedy strikes, and Mr. Hogget enters him in a sheepdog contest, and everyone thinks he’s off his rocker. Is he? After all Babe can herd sheep he happens to be friends with, but what about other sheep? Will Babe’s well mannered ways, and charming personality be enough to herd stubborn and strange sheep? Though this book is a quick read, it is absolutely worth it! The sweet ways of Babe will have you smiling throughout!