You're a Rude Pig, Bertie by Boldt, Claudia (2013) Hardcover
on Goodreads (56)
What’s inside...
Bertie is the most vain, rude and outspoken pig you'll ever meet. He can't help offending his friends and pretty soon he doesn't have any left. But a beautiful bunny and a disastrous party all lead Bertie to a startling realization, and a change of heart…
Discussion points
How did Bertie's behavior affect his friends? Can you think of a time when someone's behavior affected how you felt?
What do you think Bertie could have done differently to be a kinder friend?
Why is it important to listen to others? How does it make you feel when someone listens to you?
Can you describe how Bertie changed by the end of the story? What do you think made him change?
If you were one of Bertie’s friends, what would you say to him?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by asking your child to summarize the story. This helps them recall the details and sets the stage for deeper conversation.
Encourage your child to express how they feel about Bertie’s actions and relate them to real-life situations they might have experienced.
Praise your child for considering different perspectives, highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding.
Link the lessons from the book to everyday actions, like playing with friends or interacting with family, to reinforce the message.
Conclude the conversation by asking your child how they might act in a similar situation, emphasizing proactive and positive behavior.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding manners
Explanation: Bertie, the main character, exhibits rude behavior, which serves as a contrast to teach young readers about the importance of politeness.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by practicing saying 'please' and 'thank you', and being considerate of others' feelings in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Empathy development
Explanation: As Bertie interacts with other characters, readers see the impact of his rudeness on others, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting others' emotions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be mindful of how their actions affect others, promoting empathetic behavior during playtime or in classroom settings.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story demonstrates how Bertie’s rudeness leads to negative reactions from his peers, teaching children that their behavior has consequences.
Real-World Application: Children learn to anticipate how their actions might be received by others, helping them make more thoughtful choices.
Example Lesson: The power of apology
Explanation: The narrative includes moments where Bertie learns to apologize, underscoring the importance of seeking forgiveness when one has wronged someone.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of reconciliation and encourages them to apologize sincerely when they make mistakes.
Example Lesson: Change and self-improvement
Explanation: Throughout the book, Bertie learns from his mistakes and makes an effort to improve, showing that change is possible.
Real-World Application: This instills confidence in children that they too can change undesirable behaviors and grow personally by learning from their errors.