Hello, Charlotte's Web flashbacks! (At least in the beginning.) I was struck by the first illustration of the piglets at the farm that Jasmine visits with her veterinarian mother, noticing immediately that it reminded me of the pictures from my beloved childhood copy of Charlotte's Web. And then, of course, Jasmine discovers this little runt of a pig. To save it from being killed, she decides to keep it and raise it on her own.

But this story is different and really sweet and subtly educational. I never knew all that would be involved in rescuing a runt pig, but now I do. And I learned it just by the way the story was told, not as a scientific lesson, which I really liked. It was a fun way to learn something new about pigs. You also get little tidbits about other animals.

And Jasmine's relationship with her new pig is so sweet, plus how she works at training Truffle and acclimating her to the farm life. Jasmine is also an enterprising young woman and will go far in achieving her dreams, I think!

I really enjoyed this chapter book, and I know that I would have devoured it and the others in the series when I was girl. I probably also would have been begging to go to the farm and/or get another pet. I hope to read more in this series.

Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Jasmine Green's mother is a veterinarian and her father is a farmer, so she is surrounded by animals who at any given time may be ill, in danger, injured, giving birth, or something else. She loves animals and always does her part helping her parents. When she goes with her mother to a pig farm for a call, she checks out the newest litter of pigs. When she spies a small runt, she realized it is in trouble. Searching out the farmer, she points out that the little piglet might not survive, his response is that is the way of nature. Jasmine can not let it die, so she sneaks it away from the farm and into her bedroom determined to save the little piglet that she names Truffle. As Truffle grows and survives, the farmer allows Jasmine to keep him and he becomes part of the family. He learns some tricks and helps Jasmine to rescue some guinea pigs. This is a cute chapter book for older primary readers. It could also be read aloud to younger children. It is a bit longer so would need to be read over a few sittings. A cute story for those who love animals as well as to be read while studying care of animals, animal rescues, veterinarians or farms.

There's a fair amount of factual information in this book. The reader learns about pigs, animal husbandry, the realities of farm living, and sanitation. A wealth of information relayed in a manner fairly natural to the plot. Jasmine's actions give me pause, though. She lies, steals, and manipulates and ends up with exactly what she wanted. Even after being told repeatedly that she could not have a pig. She is essentially rewarded for this behavior. THe writing itself is a bit sterile, utterly lacking in flourishes or artistry.

This book was quite entertaining! I can see my students really connecting to this book because we are in a rural area with lots of farm animals! I will definitely be reading this to them!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book!

Here's a challenge for you: turn off your phone for one hour and pick up a copy (perhaps a digital copy, unless your local bookstore is open for delivery or pick-up) of this lovely early reader, recently released in the U.S.: Jasmine Green Rescues: A Piglet Called Truffle. You'll be able to finish the whole story in an hour, easily. (If you're like me, you'll want to pick up the next book in the series, A Duckling Called Button before the day is through.) Just see if you don't feel better about life in general when that hour is over.

Jasmine Green is also a perfect series to give to your new readers (my 8yo is definitely getting a title or two in her Easter basket). Imagine a modern day James Herriot, still set in this English countryside but featuring an intrepid and realistic young girl as the main character. Jasmine's mother is a vet and her father a farmer, and Jasmine's dream is to start an animal rescue center. As she rescues a runt piglet and an orphaned duck egg in the first two titles, she's well on her way to fulfilling that dream.

Besides the surprisingly detailed and interesting descriptions of basic veterinary care, what gives this series the ring of truth is the wonderfully realistic and nuanced family that Jasmine is a part of. Her parents aren't perfect--but they love and support her. She and her brother fight, even disastrously, but they apologize and forgive each other. I do wish the older sister had been given that same verisimilitude, but perhaps she'll be more developed in later books in the series.

I'd be remiss if I don't mention the sweet illustrations by Ellie Snowdon, which more than do their part to contribute to the overall enjoyment of these stories.

Thanks, Netgalley, for providing digital copies of these books to review!

This was a lovely chapter book about a young girl named Jasmine who lives on a farm with her family, and lots of different animals. After visiting a fellow farmer with her mother, who happens to be a farm vet, Jasmine discovers a new born pig who has clearly been abandoned as the runt of the litter. Seeing that the animal will surely perish without intervention, Jasmine, who has now named the piglet Truffles, chooses to sneak her home and do everything she can to nurse it back to health. With adventures in between, Jasmine and Truffles form a bond that defies the normal farmer/livestock relationship.

All said, Helen Peters has written an easy and fun story that shows what dedication and friendships can accomplish.

Thank you to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

If you know children you know they love re-reading books and love a long series. Jasmine Green lives on a farm and compassion for animals is in her blood. This particular book in the series is all about her rescuing a piglet who is too small to survive. Jasmine Green is not only kind to animals she is also an understanding friend. The cast of characters in her life include her easily mislead brother, his trouble making best friend, her hardworking farm vet mother, farmer father, her avid reader older sister, and last but not least her best friend Tom. The illustrations don't have color but the sketch style of drawing doesn't need it. I can't wait to see where her adventures lead her because she is a great character for kids to look up to. Children ages 7 and up can try out this easy to read chapter book.

Cute book. Would be a great read for animal lovers. The formatting for the arc is bad but once published i'n sure it will look amazing.

A sweet story about an animal loving, persistent girl who sees a tiny abandoned pig and rescues it, hiding it from her parents, one who is a vet. She’s found out and takes very good care of her new friend, Truffle, even training Truffle like a search and rescue dog which will be important when her best friend’s pets go missing.