Snyder: The Pig’s Tale is a book about a very unusual pig. Not only did Snyder learn to speak English, he loved poetry and determined to become a poet, if he could somehow escape the fate of his piglet siblings. After an account of Snyder’s early piglet-hood, the book describes his harrowing escape from the farm and his early career as a performance poet at Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

I’m a pig and a poet—
A good one, I know it.
My future is so bleak
That I’m tempted to shriek.
I don’t think it’s good
To be turned into food.
I don’t want to become
Either bacon or ham,
Or—worst of all—
To be ground up for Spam.

The poem at the left is Snyder’s first recorded poem,
from a spiral notebook/journal kept by Debbie Olsen,
Snyder’s teenage “foster sister.”

“This wonderful story of a pig who learns to speak and read and even write poetry is both cute and instructive. It reminded me of the Bear Goes Over the Mountain series. Learning that he would soon be butchered, Snyder escapes the farm and travels to the big city and its market place. Here, he becomes a celebrity, joining forces with a young girl folk singer (who eventually rips him off and betrays him). Snyder’s limericks are both hilarious and touching. He gains a fan platform and biker body guards who are much more than they seem.

“This is a delightful story with many insights into society’s ills and frills. The author makes Snyder so real. He also guides the reader so well into areas that might be uncomfortable but deserve to be considered. We rated it five hearts.”

“As a parent of two children with very active imaginations, as a teacher of both high school and university students, and as a writer of philosophical fiction myself, I have always made basic demands upon the children's books that I give and/or read to my kids: Whether serious or light, a book has to be interesting and attention holding, and I must enjoy it as much as my children. The story it tells should have a friendly feeling to it, whether funny or sad. Finally, a good book must provide something to think about, once the pages have been turned and the covers closed. Snyder, The Pig's Tale is exceptional on all counts! This story of a young pig who escapes becoming sausages and pork chops, and goes on to become a poet and street performer with an amazing collection of young human friends is a wonderful read, and leaves me wanting to know more!”

“Snyder The Pig’s Tale is the beginning of a journey through life’s complexities—danger, friendship, identity, prejudice, risk, family and survival; an intriguing children’s book that youth and adults will enjoy as well. Snyder is one lucky, talented, interesting pig! His next adventures with humans and spoken word promise to be compelling.”

“Snyder: The Pig’s Tale was a delight to read, and a colorful snapshot of the free-spirited folks that people our beloved Pike Street Market. To me, the story seemed like a Valentine with some hard and thoughtful edges.”