Esther the Wonder Pig

Changing the World One Heart at a Time

By: Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter, Caprice Crane

Narrated by: Steve Jenkins

Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Unlikely pig owners Steve and Derek got a whole lot more than they bargained for when the designer micropiglet they adopted turned out to be a full-sized 600-pound sow! In the best-selling tradition of pet memoirs such as Oogy, Dewey, and Giant George, the story of Esther the Wonder Pig shows how families really do come in all shapes and sizes.

In the summer of 2012, Steve Jenkins was contacted by an old friend about adopting a micropiglet. Though he knew his partner, Derek, wouldn't be enthusiastic, he agreed to take the adorable little pig anyway, thinking he could care for her himself. Little did he know, that decision would change his and Derek's lives forever.

It turned out there was nothing "micro" about Esther, and Steve and Derek had actually signed on to raise a full-size commercial pig. Within three years tiny Esther grew to a whopping 600 pounds. After some real growing pains and a lot of pig-size messes, it became clear that Esther needed much more space, so Steve and Derek made another life-changing decision: They bought a farm and opened the Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, where they could care for Esther and other animals in need.

Funny, heartwarming, and utterly charming, Esther the Wonder Pig follows Steve and Derek's adventure - from reluctant pig parents to farm-owning advocates for animals.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter, Caprice Crane (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"An inspirational, enjoyable read, especially for animal lovers." ( Booklist)

"Funny, moving, and heartwarming. The greatest love story ever told between two men and their pig. " (Ricky Gervais)

"First, Jenkins and Walter opened their hearts to one very special pig, and now they are opening their doors and letting us in, too. Esther the Wonder Pig is a tender, funny story that manages to sneak up behind you when you're least expecting it and change your life. Be prepared to fall in love-with a pig." (Jasmin Singer, author of Always Too Much and Never Enough: A Memoir and cohost of Our Hen House)

Esther. this is why we 💘 you and dads. thanks

this book is incredible..thanks dads for being who you are and Esther thanks for helping to change the world

Great!

I got the audio book to read along with the physical version. Steve did a great job narrating, but I felt as if it was not spoken in a natural tone.

Funny and insightful!

Grab some Kleenex and be prepared to rethink what's on your plate! Heartfelt and funny.

Heart warming

Thank you for offering Esther The Wonder On Audio I enjoyed listening and learning so much about Esther.

We love Ester the Wonder Pig! Great book!

Loved this book. I would listen to this book again. Love Ester the Wonder Pig!

love everything about this story

You can not help but love both Esther and her dads! Such a strong message of love amd kindness with a fun mix of humor. very authentic

Tears of laughter and joy the ENTIRE time!

Would you listen to Esther the Wonder Pig again? Why?

Yes. It is such a sweet story of an already compassionate man who took his compassion to a new and very necessary level at this point in American history. We have reached a tragic and embarrassing place with the world of factory farming and without dwelling on that directly, this story has helped opened the eyes of many people. It has, just as it did with Steve, helped people make the connection from the bacon in the breakfast sandwich to the intelligent, funny, sweet living being with a strong personality and a desire to live.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

How intelligent Esther is. Steve's account of Esther's 3-part plan to steal food from the cupboard in the kitchen was a clear depiction of her genius. My dogs are smart, but they could never conjure up a 3-part plan like that. She is smart. Just like all pigs are smart and even though they cannot speak, they know exactly what is happening to them on the farms and in the slaughterhouses.

Which character – as performed by Steve Jenkins – was your favorite?

Steve. He is the sweetest, funniest and most endearing "character". I loved his honesty and his deep knowledge of himself. He knows who he is and he doesn't try to change that. Because of his deep level of honesty, I really understood exactly why this happened. And I understood why his partner, Derek, although upset at times, always stuck with him. Steve's intentions are so full of goodness. Esther lucked out, tremendously.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I pretty much did. I think I finished it in 48 hours.

Any additional comments?

As a person who is overwhelmingly saddened at the way America treats it's animals, particularly cows, pigs and chickens who are all "used" for their bodies, this book was a so refreshing. I laughed and cried the entire time. Steve and Derek present such an easy and approachable way to enter the world of compassion for animals. It is hard to get people to listen. But this book does that in a hilarious and heart-warming way. I thank you, Steve and Derek. I get so passionate and often angry when I talk about the way animals are treated in American Agriculture that I often lose my audience. This book, with it's hilarious stories and insightful descriptions of Esther, just keeps adding people to it's audience.

Fanpigstastic story and 5-cupcake narration!

I recommend this book to anyone who loves animals, enjoys reading memoirs and wants to learn a thing or two about pigs!

Fantastic

Steve does a great job telling their story! Esther you r my princesses forever ever!

I loved this book to bits

This book was touching, heartwarming, funny and inspiring and listening to the audio version with Steve's voice made it even more personal. I love Esther's story and how these two men became animal rights activists and vegans through their love for their "mini"-pig. Who cannot fall in love with this pink porcine princess when seen through the eyes of her dads.