Sprig the Rescue Pig
Sprig the Rescue Pig
A self-described “charming” pig escapes a terrible fate, and finds friendship with a little girl. This light-hearted and beautifully illustrated bedtime story has been widely praised for inspiring compassion for animals.
Things aren't looking good for Sprig, who is packed into a fast-moving truck with dozens of other pigs. He doesn't know where they're going but his nose knows there's something better out there.
So with one dramatic leap, or really more of a tumble, Sprig sets out on a pig-centered adventure that leads him to his new best friend, a girl named Rory. Inspired by true events, this light-hearted tale introduces kids to an intelligent and inquisitive pig who finds his way to a good life.
The book includes a bonus section called More About Pigs, where curious readers can learn that pigs are smart enough to play video games, enjoy sleeping in cozy pig piles, run really fast, and other amazing fun facts about pigs.
Sy Montgomery, author of The Good Good Pig, said of the book: "May Sprig help people to see what wonderful individuals pigs truly are."
Peek inside Sprig the Rescue Pig here.
Sprig the Rescue Pig is the first children's book in our series on farm animals. Our second one, Gwen the Rescue Hen, is on sale now. Target audience: Ages 4 to 7
ISBN: 978-0-99886-230-9; Pages: 40; Size: 8 x 0.2 x 10
PRAISE & PRESS
“May Sprig help people to see what wonderful individuals pigs truly are.”
—Sy Montgomery, best-selling author
“Your books, Sprig the Rescue Pig and Gwen the Rescue Hen, are wonderful. Bravo! I can’t wait to see them in every kid’s hands.”
—Kathy Freston, best-selling author
This story teaches children the importance of compassion for all living creatures. Kids will love Sprig the Rescue Pig!
“With Sprig, Leslie Crawford shows us how it's possible to expand our relationship with, and our connection to, the natural and non-human world. She uses language that is nonjudgmental, beautiful, and expressive. The illustrations are delightful. If you are a parent of younger children I recommend you pick this up and start to share these stories with your children.”
-Scott Mann, The Permaculture Podcast
Teach Heart has named Sprig the Rescue Pig and Gwen the Rescue Hen to its recommended book list as part of its Humane Education Initiative.
“I simply adored this book! Clever, descriptive, and well structured, this book was particularly enjoyable, the sort of story that I'd enjoy reading out loud with a class. Sprig is the sort of character that anyone could envision easily thanks to the imaginative writing style the author employs. Rich vocabulary, engaging plot, and plenty that can be inferred from the illustrations; this book will be a big hit with child audiences. Simply a pleasure to read.”
-Matthew, School Librarian on GoodReads
Author Leslie Crawford reads before a group of children at Folio Books in San Francisco.
Looking for eco-friendly holiday gifts for the kids in your life? The Farm Animal Rescue series is a perfect, heartwarming option for children ages 4-8. Sprig the Rescue Pig and Gwen the Rescue Hen instill compassion by teaching kids about the extraordinary abilities of farm animals.
World of Vegan added Sprig the Rescue Pig to its list of favorite children's books.
Leslie Crawford meets a real-life Rory (and her mom Tammy) at Oakland VegFest.
“While Sprig the Rescue Pig stays away from the harsh details of industrialized farming, the book helps readers see pigs as much more than delicious strips of bacon.”
-Frances Dinkelspiel, Berkeleyside
“A title sure to delight bigs and littles alike, Sprig the Rescue Pig is all about helping readers connect with their compassionate side. Following in the path of such iconic pig tales as Babe and Charlotte’s Web, this children’s book was made to showcase the charm, intellect and personality of pigs, framing Sprig as an individual — not a breakfast food.”
— 9 must have titles for readers old & young, Raise Vegan
“We absolutely LOVE this book. The illustrations are just amazing, and we love the ending as well.”
-Elisa Filka, Charlie’s Corner Bookstore
“Sprig ticks every box for what I like to see in a humane education book: It's professionally presented, with appealing illustrations, sturdy binding, and a title on the spine (important if it's to survive and thrive in a library!); it presents kind values without being didactic or off-putting; and it appeals to mainstream readers as much as it does to those already growing up in animal-aware households.”
-Peacegal on GoodReads
“Sprig is one of our better selling children's books this season.”
—Woodstock Sanctuary
“Sprig the Rescue Pig brings us into the mind of a pig, who like all pigs, is curious, intelligent, and affectionate—very much like a dog! In getting to know Sprig, we are asked to reconsider these animals for the remarkable beings they are. A joyful and inspiring story, Sprig makes a great gift for animal lovers.”
-Brian Kateman, President, Reducetarian Foundation
Named to the list of “20 Vegan Books to Raise a Compassionate Child.” —Vegan News
“Any child will be delighted by the sweet, timeless illustrations by Austrian illustrator Sonia Stangl, who draws the narrative skillfully across the pages, sometimes in imaginative tendrils, almost embodying the way the scent of the forest first draws Sprig out of the truck... When we imagine what it might be like to be someone else, even a different species, it helps build empathy.”
-Lisa Kelsey, The Pauling Record
“Bear and I just read this book and we liked it so much. It's a really good story.”
—Alicia Silverstone, actor
“Sprig is utterly charming, beautifully written, and the illustrations are enchanting. This is a great book for any child. You don't pull punches but you don't do anything gruesome or graphic or scary. Sprig the Rescue Pig is delightful.”
—Victoria Moran, Mainstreet Vegan
Leslie at Charlie’s Corner in San Francisco with Bix, who plays a supporting role in Sprig and Gwen.
“Both Sprig and Gwen are awesome and radical and filled with hope, and couldn't have come into my life (and the world) at a better time.”
—Kelly Garbato, Goodreads
Sprig and Gwen are displayed in the California governor’s mansion in Sacramento, CA, and part of the State Library’s permanent collection.
"These are fantastic books. Sprig and Gwen are both funny, sweet, and beautifully illustrated...They're bound to make readers think, too."
-Eric Lindstrom, TryVeg podcast
Wow, the book is terrific! The art is adorable, the message subtle and sweetly endearing.
—Virginia Aronson, Food & Nutrition Resources Foundation
Sprig in the house! With Mary Aguilar at the Agrarian Culture Center and Bookstore at the Wendell Berry Center, in New Castle, Kentucky.
In telling these heartwarming tales of resilience, compassion and love, Crawford avoids the more brutal realities of factory farming, showing simply that these farms are extremely unhappy places for such intelligent and emotional beings. She focuses instead on how truly wonderful these overlooked and poorly treated animals are—that they're way more than just bacon and nuggets.
—Reynard Loki, EcoWatch
“Inspired by a true story, Sprig is a fun, funny, and beautifully illustrated adventure tale with a happy ending.”
—Mercy for Animals, Children’s Books We Love
MERCY FOR ANIMALS MAGAZINE: “Teach kids compassion with Sprig the Rescue Pig!”
“I love this book. The story is lovely and the illustration beautiful. Writer and illustrator work together to convey complex emotions in such a clean and bright way. They also handle Sprig's transition to the sanctuary in a way I think kids will easily understand and embrace.”
-Mr. Eric, What If World - Stories for Kids
EDIBLE EAST BAY: In the world of book publishing, small presses provide a valuable alternative to large corporate publishing houses… Read More
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A U T H O R & I L L U S T R A T O R
Photo by Kerri Chappelka
Leslie Crawford
A journalist and editor for more than twenty years, Leslie Crawford has primarily written about health and education. It was thanks to her 12-year-old daughter Molly, who has never met an animal she doesn’t like, that Leslie developed an interest in writing about animals. Leslie lives in San Francisco with her two children, six chickens, four foster pigeons, and a bearded dragon lizard named Georgia.
Sonja Stangl
Sonja Stangl is an artist and illustrator from Austria. She studied multimedia art in Salzburg and now lives and works in Vienna, where she happily illustrates stories for books and animation. Learn more about Sonja at inky.land.
PEEK INSIDE SPRIG THE RESCUE PIG
