Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is about a delightful woman who lives in an upside-down house and possesses magical cures for children's misbehaviors. With her unconventional methods and kind heart, she helps families in the neighborhood overcome their kids' bad habits. The book is a collection of humorous stories that are both entertaining and offer gentle moral lessons.
Table of Content
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Book Summary
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle lives in an upside-down house and is beloved by the children in the neighborhood for her magic cures. She works with the parents to address their children's bad habits.
One child refuses to go to bed, so Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle brews a special powder that makes the bed so uncomfortable, the child can't wait to go to sleep.
Another boy won't take a bath, so Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle allows him to become so dirty that he's able to plant some radish seeds in the grime, which then grow so rapidly, he's forced to clean up the bathroom himself.
A third child is a bully, so Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle invites Hobart the Whopper, a police officer with a talent for storytelling, over to the neighborhood. The child learns that lying has its own consequences.
There's a girl who is stubborn and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle employs a "dose" of her own "Crying Cure" to cure her of the habit of being a "Cry Baby".
One of the most challenging cases is a child who won't pick up his toys. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle uses a "Never-Want-To-See-A-Dirt-Pile-Again Cure" that involves letting the dirt pile grow until it threatens the entire house.
When a child eats nothing but sweets, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle sets up a 'Won't-Pick-Up-Toys' cure, where she creates a game that involves the child eating so many sweets that they start to feel sick and can't look at another sweet again.
There's a boy who's a slowpoke, and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle uses a "Quick Cure for a Slowpoke" that involves a magical pill, which makes the boy so quick that he finishes his chores in no time.
Another child is a show-off, and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's advice is to let the child show off so much that everyone gets bored. The result is the child learns the value of being humble.
One child is the answer to everything, and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's solution is to let the child take care of everything until they're exhausted and realize they need help too.
A child who is selfish and won't share, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle arranges a "Selfishness Cure" where the child is surrounded by so many generous people that they feel compelled to join in.
Finally, a child who hates to read, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle cures him with a magical book that he can't stop reading, and it inspires a love for reading in him.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Quotes
- Children who spend hours with a book are the happiest children of all.
- If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.
- You can't always be worrying about your mistakes or you'll never do anything right.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Ending Explained
At the end of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, the children in the neighborhood are all cured of their various bad habits through Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's clever and sometimes magical interventions.
The parents, who were initially skeptical, are amazed and grateful for the transformations they see in their kids. They realize that the solutions, though often strange, have worked wonders and brought peace back to their homes.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle continues to be the beacon of light for the community, and the children eagerly await more of her magical wisdom and delightful cures.
Characters in book Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
- Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle: A charming and eccentric woman who has a knack for understanding children and their sometimes bizarre problems. She uses her magical wisdom to help kids and their parents.
- Mr. Piggle-Wiggle: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's husband, a pirate who travels the seas and sends her gifts from his adventures.
- The children of the neighborhood: A colorful cast of characters, each with a unique and often comical bad habit that Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle helps to cure.
- The parents: They seek out Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's advice when they're at their wits' end with their children's behavior. They are often surprised by the unconventional solutions she provides.
Key Lessons
- Patience is a Virtue: Being patient and persistent when dealing with challenging situations often yields the best results.
- Embrace Differences: Everyone has their own unique way of doing things, and it's important to respect and understand those differences.
- Humor is Healing: Laughter and humor can be powerful tools for overcoming difficulties and building strong relationships.
- Time for Reflection: Taking time to reflect on our behavior and its impact can lead to personal growth and positive change.
- Reading is Fundamental: The love of reading can open up new worlds and is an essential skill for personal development.
My Personal Opinion
Is Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle worth reading? Absolutely, I found it to be a delightful and heartwarming book. The stories are charming and the magical cures are both entertaining and thought-provoking.
I loved the creativity of the solutions and the gentle way in which they teach important life lessons. However, I did find some of the cultural references a bit outdated, which might not resonate with modern readers. Despite this, the book's core message of understanding and guiding children is timeless.
I would recommend Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to anyone who enjoys light-hearted and wholesome tales. It's particularly suitable for parents and educators, as it offers playful yet astute insights into child psychology and behavior.