The Gift of Odin. Marion Quednau. Illustrated by Sonja Mulabdic. Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2007. 191 pp., pbk. & cl., $9.95 (pbk.), $19.95 (cl.). ISBN 978-1-55451-075-7 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55451-076-4 (cl.). Subject Headings: Potbellied pig-Juvenile fiction. Potbellied pigs as pets-Juvenile fiction. Grades 3-7 / Ages 8-12. Review by Elaine Fuhr. **** /4

excerpt:

Okay, so Odin's not exactly as cuddly as a kitten. His skin's like flabby concrete with bristly hairs sticking out. And he has a jowly face-he can make his eyes almost disappear when he wrinkles his nose up. He wiggles his snout around like a vacuum hose when he snuffles in the dirt for goodies like earthworms or shiny black beetles. He even eats slugs-it's positively gross. Especially when he's frothing and smacking his lips a little.

How can anyone not love Odin? Mom and Dad do not have the patience for his noise and the mess he makes in the backyard. Sonja, Tammy's sister, is angry at her boyfriend for even thinking that she would like a potbellied pig for a gift, and she is taking it out on poor Odin. Even her best friend Pegga doesn't seem really enthusiastic about spending much time entertaining the pig, and that really hurts because, after all, best friends are suppose to be supportive. Whatever will happen to Odin? Tammy loves him and thinks he is the very best pet a grade 8 student and her family could have, but she is in danger of losing this special pet. She must think of as many good things as she can about the benefits of having a Vietnamese potbellied pig and then convince the members of her family that they too wish to keep him. But then, the unthinkable happens and Tammy's life is turned upside down.

     Award-winning author, Marion Quednau has written another winner. This delightful story of a young teenager and her new pet will touch the hearts of all who read its pages, especially the pet lovers. It is such a wonder how a small (or maybe not so small) dependent creature can pull a family together and bring out the best in everyone.

Highly Recommended.

Elaine Fuhr, retired teacher of elementary and middle school, lives in Alberta.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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