Written and illustrated by Anthony Browne. First edition, 1986. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
"Mr. Piggott lived with his two sons, Simon and Patrick, in a nice house with a nice garden, and a nice car in a nice garage.
"Inside the house was his wife.
"'Hurry up with the breakfast, dear,' he called every morning before he went off to his very important job.
"'Hurry up with the breakfast, Mom,' Simon and Patrick called before they went off to their very important school.
"After they left the house, Mrs. Piggott washed all the breakfast things, made all the beds, vacuumed all the carpets, and then went to work.
"'Hurry up with the meal, Mom,' the boys called every evening when they came home from their very important school.
"'Hurry up with the meal, old girl,' Mr. Piggott called every evening when he came home from his very important job.
"One evening when the boys got home from school, there was no one to greet them.
"'Where's Mom?' demanded Mr. Piggott when he got home from work."
Mom was nowhere to be found. Is it any wonder?! She left a note: "You are pigs." Mr. Piggott and Simon and Patrick are left to cook and eat their own horrible meals, root around when food ran out, and live in their terrible mess, a real pigsty. Mrs. Piggott returns, and never more grateful to see her, they start pulling their own weight. Mom stays. All is well.
Anthony Browne (1946 - ) is a British children's book writer and illustrator of over fifty books. One of his best known, Gorilla (1983), won the first of two Kate Greenaway Medals. He received the coveted Hans Christian Andersen Award for lifetime achievement in children's book illustration in 2000, and served as the UK Children's Laureate from 2009 to 2011. His books include Through the Magic Mirror, A Walk in the Park, Bear Hunt, Willy the Wimp, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Tunnel, Zoo, Voices in the Park, Into the Forest, and Little Frida.
Etsy.com/shop/TheCharmedBookshop
Visit TheCharmedBookshop.com for more fine books for young readers and collectors.
Condition*: Fine/Near Fine. Dust jacket: Light shelf wear. Illustrated cover boards. Bookshop label on front paste down. Pages are clean, undamaged, and complete.
Shipping from United States
Processing time
1-3 business days
Estimated shipping times
- Australia : 1 - 3 business days
- United States : 1 - 3 business days
- North America : 1 - 3 business days
- Europe : 1 - 3 business days
- Australia, New Zealand and Oceania : 1 - 3 business days
- Asia Pacific : 1 - 3 business days
- Latin America and the Caribbean : 1 - 3 business days
- North Africa and the Middle East : 1 - 3 business days
- Sub-Saharan Africa : 1 - 3 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
Just contact me within: 7 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 14 days of delivery
Privacy policy
* I will not share your personal information with third parties.
* I will contact you only through Etsy or an email address you provide to convey information about your order and news exclusive to The Charmed Bookshop.
* In placing your order, please provide Etsy with an active email address to ensure that I can get in touch with you about your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gift wrapping and packaging
I wrap every book with care and ship it in a padded mailing envelope or sturdy box. If you're purchasing a gift, please advise when ordering and include a gift message.
Care instructions
1. I lightly clean books, as needed, but I don't attempt repairs or restoration. If you'd like a book restored, you'll find trustworthy, qualified experts in your area through libraries or museums.
I also recommend the following care instructions.
American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works -
https://goo.gl/6CZ9zA
2. Photos are cropped and resized to Etsy guidelines but are otherwise unedited. Please contact me if you'd like additional photos of book details.
3. Descriptions of condition are based on guidelines from the Independent Online Booksellers' Association.
Order processing time
I'll process and ship your purchase in 1 - 3 business days, and I'll ship anywhere in the world via any mail or delivery service that Etsy offers. (Please refer to the Shipping section for average shipping turn-around times by region.) If I encounter any delays in processing your order, I will advise you in advance.