A Pig is not without honor . . . except maybe in the mud that he was born into.

Come meet a straight-shooting Pig, a sympathetic Chicken, an arrogant Cat, an exhausted Rabbit and all the other barnyard souls of Desirable Mud. These characters are delightfully flawed, (some hiding it better than others, ) but all of them come together to tell a story of truth and transformation.

Each chapter begins with, "Once Upon a Time," but don't let that fool you. This quirky tale is a fun, darkly humorous ride for ages 8 to 108.

Do you dare listen to what the Pig has to say?

Reader Reviews

TW: I loved this barnyard bunch, and the lessons they taught. I look forward to reading more of AJ's thought-provoking characters in stories to come!

CT: I chuckled all the way through the story!! The illustrations perfectly depicted the hilarious characters! I especially loved the dog being completely content and happy in his world, unlike most of us!

BC: I loved the entire story. The characters were all relatable to people in real life. A story well told. I recommend it to everyone.

NJ: Entertaining read for kids and adults. I absolutely love this book. It has a classic children's book feel with the beautiful and charming artwork, and a story that will entertain both kids and adults. The adults get an extra bonus with this book as it makes you contemplate your relationships in a thoughtful and constructive way.

KT: Delightful new take on animal fables. Pig and his neighbors learn from their interactions in a way that's engaging and never preachy. Beautiful illustrations bring the lovingly written tale to life.

PD: I'd like to be like the dog in the story...content to be myself and not perturbed by anyone else's misbehavior. I thought the story was deep and profound. It feels like a lifetime of story writing all put in one little book. I've really never read anything like it before -- carry-on and write more!!