The Christmas Pig facts for kids
UK first edition cover
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| Author | J. K. Rowling |
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| Illustrator | Jim Field |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Christmas stories, fairy tales, fantasy, children's book |
| Publisher | Hachette Children's Group |
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Publication date
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12 October 2021 |
| ISBN | 978-1444964912 |
The Christmas Pig is a magical Christmas fairy tale story. It was written by J. K. Rowling and has beautiful pictures by Jim Field. The book came out in October 2021. When it was released, many people loved it. It quickly became a bestseller, meaning lots of copies were sold, even before it officially came out!
Contents
What Happens in The Christmas Pig?
Jack's Lost Toy and a Magical Journey
The story begins on Christmas Eve. A boy named Jack has a favorite toy pig called DP (Dur Pig). It's his most special toy from when he was little. Sadly, during an argument, Jack's stepsister, Holly, throws DP out of the car window onto the motorway.
Jack's grandparents try to find DP, but they can't. That night, they bring Jack a new toy pig, which they call Christmas Pig. But Jack is too sad about DP to care about the new toy.
Later, something amazing happens. Jack sees all his toys come to life! The new Christmas Pig, who Jack now calls CP, offers to help Jack find DP. CP tells Jack that "miracles happen on Christmas Eve."
Adventures in the Land of the Lost
Jack suddenly shrinks to toy size. He and CP get lost under the Christmas tree. This sends them to a magical place called Mislaid. This is where all lost things go. In Mislaid, lost items are sorted into different towns in the Land of the Lost.
Jack and CP have to be very clever. CP distracts the guards by pretending to be an action figure called Pyjama Boy. This lets Jack sneak past them.
Their first stop is Disposable. This town is for things that are easily replaced. Next, they hide in a lunchbox. Inside the lunchbox is an inhaler. Because the inhaler's owner was worried about it, they are sent to a fancier town called Bother-It's-Gone.
Escaping Danger and Finding Hope
In Bother-It's-Gone, the local police notice Jack and CP. They find a hiding spot where a compass helps them. The compass leads them to a dangerous place called the Wastes of the Unlamented.
This is where the Loser lives. The Loser is the ruler of the Land of the Lost. This powerful being makes people lose things. The "souls" or lively parts of these lost things end up in the Land of the Lost. The Loser hunts things that are "unlamented," meaning no one misses them. But Jack and CP manage to escape!
They then find their way to the City of Missed. Here, they meet lost feelings, like sadness or joy, that appear as people. They are sent to a palace where they meet a king called Power. This king tries to give Jack to the Loser.
Luckily, a character named Hope helps Jack and CP escape. Hope helps them fly to the Island of the Beloved. This is a safe place where the Loser cannot go. The things that live here are immortal, meaning they live forever.
Reunion and a Brave Rescue
On the Island of the Beloved, Jack finally sees his beloved DP! He also meets the original tree angel that was lost. Jack gets to say a proper goodbye to DP. He feels happy knowing that DP and the angel are safe and happy on the island.
But Jack realizes CP didn't land on the island with him. He wants to find CP. Santa Claus, who has a home on the Island, helps Jack. Santa flies Jack back to the Wastes of the Unlamented.
The compass guides Jack to the Loser's Lair. There, he finds CP and the replacement tree angel trapped in a cage. They are waiting for the Loser. Jack reaches CP and talks to the Loser. After their conversation, the caged items, along with Jack, rise back to the surface.
Back Home and a Promise
Suddenly, Jack is back in his living room and is his normal size again. His family had noticed he was gone and are very relieved to see him safe. Holly, his stepsister, believes his amazing story about the Land of the Lost. She promises not to bully him again.
That night, Jack wishes CP goodnight. And guess what? CP wishes him goodnight right back!
How The Christmas Pig Was Created
The Idea Behind the Story
J. K. Rowling first thought of the idea for The Christmas Pig in 2012. She had always wanted to write a Christmas story. She was inspired by two toy pigs her own son had when he was a little boy.
She finished writing the book in 2020. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rowling said that because of the pandemic, she felt a strong need for people to connect with each other. She imagined people reading the story aloud while she was writing it. She had never done that with any other book before.
What the Story Means
J. K. Rowling described The Christmas Pig as a story about many important things. She said it is "about being lost and being found." It's also "about loving and being loved." The book explores "what stays with us and what falls away." Most importantly, she said, "It's also about hope and endurance."
The Illustrator
The beautiful pictures in The Christmas Pig were drawn by Jim Field.
