An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 5 (An Elephant and Piggie Book)
#5 in Elephant and Piggie Biggies Series
on Goodreads (125)
What’s inside...
This fifth oversized treasury gathers five of Mo Willems’s bestselling Elephant & Piggie tales—“I Will Surprise My Friend!”, “Are You Ready to Play Outside?”, “I’m a Frog!”, “Waiting Is Not Easy!”, and “The Thank You Book.” Across these stories, the ever-anxious elephant Gerald and the exuberant Piggie explore patience, imagination, gratitude, surprise, and the joys (and trials) of play. The comic-strip style panels, spare text, and expressive artwork help emergent readers decode meaning while laughing at the duo’s slapstick antics and heartfelt moments of friendship.
Character compass
Elephant (gerald)
Brian Bat
Snake
Piggie
Dr. Cat
Whale (The Big Guy)
Discussion points
Why was it hard for Gerald to wait?
How did Piggie show she cared about Gerald?
When have you felt surprised by a friend?
What does it mean to be thankful?
Tip: Role play these questions
Act out the characters’ voices to model fluency.
Create a real-life waiting game: time a minute together.
Draw your own thank-you list like Piggie’s.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Patience pays off
Explanation: Gerald’s struggle to wait leads to a beautiful starry surprise.
Real-World Application: Practice waiting calmly for a turn on the playground.
Example Lesson: Express gratitude
Explanation: Piggie thanks friends, modeling appreciation.
Real-World Application: Write or draw thank-you notes after birthdays.
Example Lesson: Imagination is empowering
Explanation: Piggie becomes a frog through pretend play.
Real-World Application: Use dress-up games to explore new roles.
Example Lesson: Good communication prevents misunderstandings
Explanation: Surprise plans go awry until friends talk openly.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to share plans clearly with peers.