The Best Books About Pigs to Inspire and Charm You and Yours

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: March 31, 2023
© l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock.com

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They’re awfully cute when they’re piglets, and sometimes, they grow so large, they’re downright intimidating. But the fact is pigs are gentle creatures, much smarter than they’re given credit for, and remarkably clean. Whether you’re looking to start raising pigs and need to get your bearings on the whole process or you just enjoy reading about these wonderful animals, there’s a book about pigs perfectly suited for you.

We set out to deliver the best books about pigs in a comprehensive article that gives you a brief summary of each and lets you know what others think about each title. To keep your selections diverse, we incorporate everything from a beautiful coloring book to a novel you can read with your kids during the holidays. We share a heartwarming book that tells the story of a woman and her adopted pig. We also added a book to this list that serves as an inspiration to remind you of all the potential you hold.

  1. Raising Pigs: Beginners Guide to Raising Healthy and Happy Pigs on a Small Homestead
    • Contains concrete, practical knowledge for the aspiring homesteader
    • Comprehensive guide about raising pigs
    • Customers rate this book 4.5 out of five stars.
    Check Amazon
  2. Know Your Pigs
    • Highlights 28 different pig breeds, with a high-quality full-page photo for each breed
    • Teaches you important facts about pigs
    • Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  3. The Christmas Pig
    • Heartwarming tale written by JK Rowling
    • Suitable for children as young as seven years old
    • Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  4. The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood
    • Written by experienced naturalist Sy Montgomery
    • Book about a lovable pig
    • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  5. Pig Coloring Book for Adults: Cute Animal Stress-relief Coloring Book For Adults and Grown-ups
    • Coloring book for adults with all illustrations of pigs
    • Makes for a wonderful and thoughtful gift
    • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
    Check Amazon

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Books About Pigs

#1 Best Overall: Raising Pigs: Beginners Guide to Raising Healthy and Happy Pigs on a Small Homestead by Irene Mills

The best overall book about pigs is Raising Pigs: Beginners Guide to Raising Healthy and Happy Pigs on a Small Homestead by Irene Mills.

This title is available in paperback, Kindle, and audio formats and it’s perfect if you’re interested in raising pigs on a small homestead. This is the type of book that contains the knowledge you immediately put into action. If you’ve been considering building a small pig farm, this is the type of guide you need on your side. It teaches you how to execute this idea and warns you about common mistakes, so you don’t have to make them yourself. The goal here is to raise happy and healthy pigs so if that sounds up your alley, this book is perfect for you.

With this guide, you have the information you need to get started the right way. It teaches you how to set everything up and how to choose the perfect breed. You learn how to create that cozy and clean farm environment for them, and you also learn about how to properly maintain them. The type of breed you get depends on where you’re located so this guide helps clarify that for you. It also depends on how much space you have and what the climate is like where you live. You get an in-depth look at how to create the best shelter and what to consider when you’re buying your very first pigs. It’s a comprehensive guide that gets you excited about raising pigs.

Customers rate this book 4.5 out of five stars. They appreciate that the author presents this wonderful opportunity for those interested in raising pigs. One customer says that he loves how the author is sensitive to what’s happening in the world currently. We all saw what happened with food shortages during the pandemic and with this book, you’re invited to set up your own small homestead. The author writes in a lighthearted and engaging manner. She really helps you understand why raising pigs is important aside from using them as a meat source. Ultimately, it’s incredibly informative and serves as a very helpful resource for many of the satisfied customers who have already picked this title up.

Pros and Cons of Raising Pigs: Beginners Guide to Raising Healthy and Happy Pigs on a Small Homestead by Irene Mills

ProsCons
This book is aimed at people who are interested in raising pigs on a small homestead.None
It is a detailed guide to setting up a small pig farm.
It warns about common mistakes and how to avoid them.
This book features a guide to the different pig breeds and which is best for your climate.
It provides a guide to the perfect pig shelter.
Best Overall
Raising Pigs: Beginners Guide to Raising Healthy and Happy Pigs on a Small Homestead
  • Contains concrete, practical knowledge for the aspiring homesteader
  • Comprehensive guide about raising pigs
  • Customers rate this book 4.5 out of five stars.
Check Amazon

2. Best Photographs: Know Your Pigs by Jack Byard

If you’re struggling to decide on which breed of pig is perfect for you then check out Know Your Pigs by Jack Byard which offers a guide to 28 different breeds with full color photographs of each.

This next book is less of a guide and more of a fact-filled book. This book highlights 28 different pig breeds and each pig has its own full-page spread in this book. You get a high-quality full-page photo of that specific pig breed and then facts listed about the pig’s history, personality, characteristics, uses, and more. This is helpful for anyone interested in getting to know more about different pig breeds and if you have kids, it’s a wonderful book to share with them to learn more about pigs together.

This book teaches you important facts like that pigs are more intelligent than most peopel give them credit for. It also teaches you what the different types of breeds enjoy. For example, the American guinea hog really loves belly rubs. The best part is that the book explores pig breeds from all over the world including the United States, England, Australia, and Vietnam. Domesticated pigs have been living alongside humans for well over 10,000 years. Some of these breeds are approaching extinction and the more you know, the more you can protect them and their environments.

Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars. They see it as a great book for pig farmers and some of them have handed this little pocketbook over to their kids so that they can learn more about animals they love. If you’ve never been around a farm, and you want to get to know more about these animals, it’s a great read. Overall, it’s a very interesting book that helps you identify tons of different pig breeds you may have never seen or heard of.

The only drawback to this book is that it is small — only pocket-sized — which prevents you from fully appreciating the photos in it.

Pros and Cons of Know Your Pigs by Jack Byard

ProsCons
This book highlights 28 different pig breeds from all over the world.The book is only pocket-sized.
Each breed features a full-color photograph.
It lists each breed’s history, personality, characteristics, and uses.
Best Photographs
Know Your Pigs
  • Highlights 28 different pig breeds, with a high-quality full-page photo for each breed
  • Teaches you important facts about pigs
  • Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars
Check Amazon

3. Best for Kids: The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling (Author) and Jim Field (Illustrator)

A heart-warming story for kids that we recommend is The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling (Author) and Jim Field (Illustrator).

This next book is by an author you likely recognize: J. K. Rowling. It’s available in Kindle, hardcover, and audiobook formats. This is a heart-warming tale and though it’s suitable for children as young as seven years old, many adults find this a charming read. It’s the perfect timing for a book like this as we approach the holidays. It follows the adventure of a boy and his toy. Jack is the name of the boy in the story, and he has a toy, Dur Pig. Dur Pig goes by DP for short.

DP is that special toy that has always been there for Jack. One night, on Christmas Eve, something awful happens — DP gets lost. However, Christmas Eve is the kind of night when magic and miracles happen. In fact, it may even be possible that DP has the opportunity to come alive. Jack has a new toy called the Christmas Pig, which is supposed to replace DP. Together, they embark on this adventure to recover what has been lost.

Unfortunately, some reviewers found that this book was a little long and reported that it eventually begins to get a little repetative.

Pros and Cons of The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling (Author) and Jim Field (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This book is a heart-warming and endearing tale about a boy and his toy, Dur Pig.Customers reported that it is quite long and begins to get repetative.
It is suitable for children around seven years old, but numerous adults enjoy it too.
There are Kindle, hardcover, and audiobook versions available.
Best for Kids
The Christmas Pig
  • Heartwarming tale written by JK Rowling
  • Suitable for children as young as seven years old
  • Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars
Check Amazon

4. Most Charming: The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood by Sy Montgomery

One of the most charming books about pigs is undoubtedly The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood by Sy Montgomery.

This book invites you to explore just how much animals can enrich the lives of humans. Sy Montgomery is the author of this book. She’s a naturalist who has spent lots of time on her own living among wild animals in remote jungles. She always found animals to be kindred spirits. In fact, she’s always felt more comfortable around animals than with people. She goes on to tell how she came across a sick piglet whose older siblings pushed it away from getting nourishment from food. She didn’t know if this pig would survive.

The pig, Christopher Hogwood, didn’t just survive. He started thriving. The book is a celebration of Christopher‘s life. You learn everything about him, including his infancy all the way through to his death. He ended up weighing 750 pounds and gave Montgomery that sense of family and home she hadn’t until then experienced. She ended up connecting with the community around her because Christopher would just leave home to go on adventures. Her neighbors would fetch him and bring him back to her. He became quite the character and was so well known that he was featured in different publications.

Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars. They say to get ready because it’s way too easy to fall in love with this pig the same way that the author did. They view it as a delightful story that teaches you about the inner life of a pig. It’s quirky and charming and teaches you not just about the pig’s inner life, but also about his physical needs. It’s ultimately about this adopted pig that ended up becoming a bit of a local celebrity. If you’ve never had the chance to know a pig intimately, this may just give you a different perspective on these incredibly intelligent and wonderful animals.

Unfortunately, some reviewers found that this book focused more on the author herself than on the pig.

Pros and Cons of The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood by Sy Montgomery

ProsCons
This book tells the story of a pig that the author found as a piglet which she didn’t think would survive.Some reviewers said the book focuses more on the author herself than on the pig.
It details everything about the pigs life from infancy to his death.
It explains how the pig helped the author to connect with the community and gave her a sense of family.
Most Charming
The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood
  • Written by experienced naturalist Sy Montgomery
  • Book about a lovable pig
  • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
Check Amazon

5. Best Coloring Book: Pig Coloring Book for Adults by Balloon Publishing

As the best coloring book we recommend Pig Coloring Book for Adults by Balloon Publishing.

This last option is to give you a fun outlet. It’s a coloring book for adults with all illustrations of pigs. The designs are intricate, allowing for hours of fun and relaxation. Each illustration is on single-sided bright white paper. It’s a high-quality paper that you can use different coloring mediums on. Try colored pencils, glitter pens, or markers. It helps to relieve stress as you enjoy coloring this undeniably cute animal. Once you’re done, you can frame these pages and set them up as artwork in your home or gift them to others. Each of these makes a wonderful gift.

Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars. They love how affordable it is and feel it makes a wonderful gift. With the holidays coming up, it’s fun to give it to others. If you love pigs or you know somebody who loves pigs, it’s a must have. Unfortunately, one customer did say that there are really large areas on some of the coloring pages that he felt were too big for his markers.

Pros and Cons of Pig Coloring Book for Adults by Balloon Publishing

ProsCons
This book features illustrations of pigs that are ready to be colored in.Some of the areas to be colored in are quite large for a single color.
Each illustration is on single-sided bright white paper.
The paper is high-quality so you can easily try out different mediums.
It is a great way to relieve stress.
Best Coloring Book
Pig Coloring Book for Adults: Cute Animal Stress-relief Coloring Book For Adults and Grown-ups
  • Coloring book for adults with all illustrations of pigs
  • Makes for a wonderful and thoughtful gift
  • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

To find the best books about pigs, first, know what you’re looking for. If you’re ready to set up a small homestead, then you need a guide. These books provide you with step-by-step instructions for everything from setup to choosing pig breeds to maintaining those pigs. If you’re not looking to set up a small homestead but just want to learn something new about different pig breeds, a fact-filled pocketbook is ideal. You learn tons of interesting facts about different pig breeds. Other books incorporate pigs as fictional characters. These are fun books with charming storylines that serve to entertain. Often, they incorporate an underlying, timeless message. Some of these books are wonderful for all ages, which makes them perfect for sharing with your family.

About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

The Best Books About Pigs to Inspire and Charm You and Yours FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are pigs smart?

Yes, pigs are surprisingly intelligent! Studies show that they are smarter than most three-year-olds. They’re smarter than some dogs, too.

Why are pigs the cleanest animals?

It’s a common misconception that pigs are dirty creatures. The reason they’re often depicted covered in mud is that’s their method of cooling down. They’re the cleanest animals because whenever they have the opportunity, they only excrete waste away from their living and eating areas.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.