Book Review — Oscar the Pig: Mommy Goes To Work

Oscar the Pig: Mommy Goes to Work, by Megan Calhoun, is a picture book for younger children intended to help them deal with separation anxiety. The book opens with Oscar contemplating his mother’s impending departure for work, which is a new experience for him. “Who will take care of him? Will she come home? Does she still love him?”

Oscar’s mother has previously introduced him to his new caregiver, Mrs. Tutu (a hen), so that he’ll be ready. She’s also created a goodbye ritual for Oscar, with special piggie kisses.

Oscar is still sad, but Mrs. Tutu has prepared a special surprise for him: a magical trip to China! Here, they visit a panda named Chow Chow, who is about Oscar’s age. Chow Chow’s mommy is at work, too. Like Oscar, he misses his mommy. “But I always know she is coming home, and she loves to hear about all the fun things I did that day.”

And at the end of the day, Oscar’s mommy is home, too, with more piggie kisses.

This book is engaging and has a story children can relate to. Oscar has the same feelings a real child might have if a parent is beginning to work outside the home. Oscar’s mother models excellent preparatory steps which parents can take, like pre-introducing the caregiver and instituting rituals. Reading this book with your child could serve as a preparatory step as well, to help familiarize the child with what will be happening, and to let the child know that he or she is not the only one to experience these events and feelings.

I was surprised a couple of times by this book. First, I didn’t expect to see a pig talking about “bringing home the bacon,” and wasn’t too sure about that joke, but it made sense in the end. I was also surprised to find that a magical trip to China was part of the story; after all, this is not something that is likely to happen in real life! But the trip to China does show Oscar that other kids experience separation from parents, too, even in different parts of the world. After Oscar got to meet Chow Chow, I wished that he could go to more countries as well!

Perhaps author Megan Calhoun will take us to visit more countries; this is the first book in a planned series published by Silly String Media. I look forward to seeing what she has in store for us.

Megan Calhoun is both an author and the founder of Twittermoms.com, a social networking and community site for moms. She’s also the mother of two children, Oscar and Stella, to whom the book is dedicated.