Step into the whimsical world of Nanny Piggins, where a sassy, cake-obsessed pig shakes up childcare with her circus flair and boundless mischief! The Nanny Piggins series by R.A. Spratt is a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and heart, following the escapades of a former flying pig turned nanny to three neglected children. With its irreverent charm and laugh-out-loud antics, this middle-grade gem invites readers into a topsy-turvy world where rules are optional, and chocolate is a food group.
Unlike traditional nanny tales, Nanny Piggins isn’t your prim-and-proper Mary Poppins. She’s a porcine powerhouse who brings joy to Derrick, Samantha, and Michael Green, filling their lives with daring adventures and sugary treats. Perfect for kids aged 8–12 and families craving a giggle, this series celebrates imagination and the magic of unconventional love.
How Nanny Piggins Began
Australian author R.A. Spratt, a seasoned comedy writer with a knack for children’s animation, dreamed up Nanny Piggins while tapping into her love for absurd humor. Born in the UK and raised in Sydney, Spratt’s childhood library visits fueled her storytelling, inspired by Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton. First published in 2009 in Australia, The Adventures of Nanny Piggins burst onto the scene, earning praise for its fresh take on children’s fiction. Spratt’s vision of a pig nanny—complete with a circus past and a penchant for chaos—set the stage for a series that’s as unpredictable as its heroine.
The Heart of Nanny Piggins
The series kicks off with The Adventures of Nanny Piggins, where Sarah Piggins, a glamorous ex-circus pig, lands a nanny gig for the Green children after their stingy father, Mr. Green, posts a cheap job ad. From catching a doorknob thief to hiding a dancing bear named Boris, the book sets the tone with episodic, sitcom-style chapters brimming with hilarity. Nanny Piggins and the Wicked Plan follows, as the kids and their nanny thwart Mr. Green’s scheme to marry and fire Piggins, featuring wild antics like tunneling to China for Chinese food. Nanny Piggins and the Runaway Lion and Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story round out key titles, the latter diving into Sarah’s piglet days and her escape from a circus-bound fate.
Themes of freedom, loyalty, and embracing one’s quirks shine through, wrapped in a comic fantasy setting that’s proudly unrealistic. Nanny Piggins’s subversive streak—encouraging truancy or junk food feasts—sparks debates about fictional responsibility, but Spratt’s fantastical tone keeps it playful. The Australian backdrop, peppered with local slang like “rubbish bins,” adds charm, while Dan Santat’s lively illustrations in the U.S. editions capture Piggins’s fabulous pigginess.
Why Nanny Piggins Resonates
Nanny Piggins has carved a niche in children’s literature, lauded by outlets like Publishers Weekly for its “nonstop giggles” and earning a Top of the List nod from the American Library Association in 2010. Its appeal lies in its celebration of childhood rebellion and unconditional love, resonating with kids who crave adventure and adults who appreciate clever humor. Spratt’s Bedtime Stories podcast, with over 5 million downloads, extends Piggins’s reach, bringing her tales to new fans. The series’ enduring charm lies in its ability to make readers laugh while reminding them that family can be found in the unlikeliest of places.
- First published: 2009 (Australia), 2010 (U.S.)
- Number of books: 8, plus a Christmas guide
- Awards: American Library Association Top of the List (2010)
- Fun fact: Spratt voiced Piggins stories on her hit podcast!
Grab The Adventures of Nanny Piggins and dive into a world where a pig’s love for cake and chaos makes every day a riotous adventure!