Crispin Tamworth is a happy pig who lives in a big house and has everything he wants or needs. When Mrs Tamworth announces a new brother or sister is on the way, he is unimpressed, but not worried. But when three little piglets appear, he is seriously annoyed that he isn't allowed to choose just one to take home. When they arrive, it is soon clear that they will get all the attention. So...he becomes the big bad wolf, and he and his friends Nick and Penny play the big bad wolf game. Penny (a rabbit with endless siblings) soon has the baby pigs joining in the mayhem. But when she leaves, Crispin lets things get out of hand, and everyone is sent to their rooms. Because they have all been punished, Crispin and his three siblings become the best of friends. Wonderful detail in the illustrations, showing dad able to tune out with his books and records, and mum reading a book on 'modern nurturing' while frantically pedalling her exercise machine. The fact that all the characters are animals softens the moral of the story, and the denouement when Crispin and the three little piglets all get into trouble together makes a satisfying reason for their becoming friends.