The origin story behind: A Tale of Two Piggies

The inspiration for A Tale of Two Piggies began on the farm where one of my sisters still lives, just outside of Arborfield, Saskatchewan— the same place where we grew up surrounded by animals, imagination, and the kind of mischief only siblings can create.

During a visit years ago, our eldest sister, who I affectionately nicknamed Princess because she somehow managed to receive special treatment wherever she went, arrived with a close family friend who had long ago adopted herself into our clan. I called her Barbie Doll because she was always beautifully dressed, even on a dusty farmyard.

At the time, my farm‑dwelling sister had three young daughters. In the way children do, they delightfully named two of their pigs, Princess and Barbie.

Years later, when I began writing short children’s books, Princess and Barbie asked if I could create a story about the beloved piggies named after them. This request sparked the idea that grew into A Tale of Two Piggies—a playful tribute to family, childhood imagination, and the joy of growing up surrounded by animals.