What children can learn from vegan Picture Books about pigs?

Maybe there is nothing more important today than teaching young kids compassion and empathy.

Tobias Leenaert, vegan best-selling author

Pigs are beloved characters in vegan picture books, known for their intelligence, sensitivity, and spirit. Through the adventures of these lovable creatures, children can learn valuable life lessons that will stay with them long after the book is closed. Here are six important lessons that pigs in children’s picture books can teach:

1. Developing empathy

Vegan picture books about pigs can teach children to understand and empathise with the experiences of animals. They can learn that pigs, like all living beings, have emotions and desires, and that they deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Reading these books can also help children develop a sense of compassion for animals and a desire to help protect them. They may learn that all animals have their own unique personalities and that they are important members of the ecosystem.

2. The importance of healthy eating

Vegan picture books about pigs can also teach children about the importance of healthy eating and how a plant-based diet can benefit not only themselves but also the environment and animals. These books often portray pigs as part of a healthy and sustainable food system, where they are fed a diet of fruits, vegetables, and grains, rather than the inhumane and environmentally damaging factory farming system. Through illustrations and stories, children can learn about the benefits of a plant-based diet for both their own health and the health of the planet. Children can also find out that there are many vegan alternatives to pig meat, such as Tofu, tempeh, seitan, textured vegetable protein (TVP), plant-based sausages, Jackfruit, lentils, beans, mushrooms, and plant-based meat that mimic the taste and texture of pork.

3. The impact of human actions

These books can also teach children about the impact that human actions can have on animals and the environment. They may learn about the negative effects of factory farming and the importance of choosing sustainable and ethical food options. Children can learn about the inhumane conditions that animals are kept in, such as overcrowding, poor living conditions, and lack of access to natural behaviours. These conditions can lead to physical and psychological suffering for the animals, and children can learn about the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect.

4. Understanding different perspectives

Reading vegan picture books about pigs can also help children understand and respect different perspectives and lifestyles. They may learn that not everyone eats meat, and that choosing a vegan or vegetarian diet is a personal choice that can have a positive impact on the world. Furthermore, these books can also help children understand the importance of personal choice and self-expression. They can learn that we all have the right to make our own choices about what we eat and how we live.

5. Encouraging critical thinking

Vegan picture books about pigs can encourage children to think critically about the world around them and the impact of human actions. They can help children question the status quo and consider alternative ways of living. Through their illustrations and stories, vegan picture books about pigs can inspire children to question the norm and consider alternative ways of living. They can challenge the idea that factory farming is the only way to produce food, and instead promote the idea of a plant-based diet as a more ethical and sustainable alternative. The books can also encourage children to think critically about the impact of human actions on animals and the environment, and the long-term consequences of these actions.

6. Environmental stewardship

Vegan picture books about pigs can also teach children about the importance of  environmental stewardship. They can learn about the negative effects of factory farming on the environment, such as pollution, deforestation, and water and air pollution, and the importance of sustainable living. They can also learn about the benefits of sustainable food production methods, such as organic farming and regenerative agriculture, and the role that they can play in preserving the environment.

Vegan picture-book about pig inspired by true events

Some of the vegan stories about pigs are inspired by true events, such as rhyming picture-book “The Pig Who Made It Big“. The book tells the story of a pig on a farm who is discovered by a film crew and rises to fame and fortune, but not without facing discrimination and prejudice. The pig learns that not all animals are treated the same and that she is not seen in the same light as the director’s dog. This story is based on a true event and encourages children to think about the treatment of animals and to advocate for the fair and equal treatment of all animals, regardless of their species. It is a reminder that all animals deserve the same compassion and respect.

A vegan picture book about a pig on a farm who learns about the importance of compassion and empathy for animals, and the benefits of a plant-based diet for both their own health and the health of the planet. The illustrations show the pig interacting with other animals on the farm, as well as living in a humane and sustainable environment.