Hammy struggles with sharing toys with their younger sibling Oinkers, but when Mom steps in to mediate the situation she finds herself having to take her own advice in this humorous twist on books about sharing. Tempted by the alluring smell of truffles—every pig’s favorite treat—Hammy takes Oinkers along on a quest for justice, sniffing out Mom’s truffle stash and her own struggle to share. Jhon Ortiz’s expressive and sometimes lush digital illustrations add to the humor, focusing on characters’ faces and their outsized reaction to match the text. Kids and parents alike will appreciate the charm of this ironic lesson.Trouble with Truffles showcases an unorthodox method of getting siblings to bond and get along, but does so with heart and humor the whole way, from Hammy going “hog wild” while refusing to share, to much boisterous oinking, to the smears on the pigs’ faces after digging into their truffle feast. For those unfamiliar with truffles or pigs’ connection to them, Richey uses the plot to introduce the connection, while those already familiar with pigs’ affinity for these prized fungi will likely already be laughing. Richey notes the visual similarities between chocolate truffles and mushroom truffles on a “Did you know?” page, writing that she thinks “the truffles Hammy’s mom loves…are really chocolate truffles and not the mushroom kind.” Further information about pigs and truffles can be found there, too, as well as a map of some locations where truffles can be found globally.
Readers will notice subtle nods to Sherlock Holmes in the illustrations, furthering the visual humor. Well-suited to self-deprecating or at least good-humored parents and the kids that love them, as well as folks looking to learn more about pigs or getting siblings to share, Trouble with Truffles has plenty to offer and is sure to elicit more than a few giggles.
Takeaway: Mom is forced to follow her own advice in this playful tale of pigs learning to share.
Great for fans of: Rachel Bright’s The Squirrels Who Squabbled, Jory John’s Something’s Wrong.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
A young pig teaches his mom how to share her beloved truffles in Richey’s picture book.
When Hammy’s little brother, Oinkers, wants Hammy’s favorite building blocks, Hammy says no, but Mom reminds him, “We always share.” Hammy goes “hog wild” in protest, questioning why Mom doesn’t share the delicious truffles she hides in a dresser drawer and vitamin jar. Hammy and Oinkers change into detective outfits, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes’, to go on a truffle hunt. After Hammy finds and takes all the truffles, Mom has a tantrum exactly like the one her son had. Children with a sense of fairness will likely catch on to Mom’s rules-for-thee-and-not-for-me attitude. Richey and illustrator Ortiz previously collaborated on Lulu and the Missing Tooth Fairy (2022); Ortiz’s full-color illustrations use short, contrasting lines that repeat throughout the book to illustrate pig hairs, rug fringe, and grass blades. Kids may be slightly confused by the shifting settings, as the text doesn’t specify where characters are; pigs are shown using flooring and furniture, but at other times are outdoors, covered by huge, dark leaves. A “Did You Know?” section of truffle facts states that Hammy’s Mom’s truffles are mushrooms that grow underground; however, the author then confusingly writes that she “thinks” Hammy’s Mom’s truffles are actually chocolate.
A relatable story of sharing hampered by occasional confusing moments.
