Mango & Bambang: The Not-A-Pig (Book One)

An unlikely friendship blossoms between Mango, a little girl with an assortment of talents, and Bambang, an Asian tapir.

Mango Allsorts is good at all sorts of things, not just karate and chess. Bambang is most definitely not-a-pig and is now lost in a very busy city. When the two unexpectedly meet, a friendship begins. Bambang requires a great deal of coaxing and comforting to help him acclimate to the big city, and Mango is just the girl for the job. But when Mango faces a nerve-racking challenge of her own, will Bambang be able to return the favor? Filled with adventures and plenty of banana pancakes, this collection of four stories is sure to amuse and inspire any child — or not-a-pig.

“Told over four chapters, this sweetly old-fashioned story from newcomer Faber follows the friendship that develops between a competent, kindhearted girl named Mango and Bambang, a talking tapir from Malaysia...Vulliamy's chic black-and-white illustrations, accented with lavender, play right into the primness and dry humor of Faber's storytelling, helping to create a bustling, adventure-filled urban landscape that readers should be eager to revisit. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) This whimsical book is a heartfelt story of friendship with interspersed facts on tapirs. Charming black-and-white illustrations throughout support the text and add to the humor. A quirky new early chapter book series featuring two memorable characters. --School Library Journal Each of Mango and Bambang's gentle adventures is discrete enough that emerging readers can break up the book into more digestible pieces, while Vulliamy's cartoonish two-color illustrations--check out that adorable tapir in a tasseled sombrero--add to the whimsical atmosphere. Middle-grade readers tired of the usual animal shtick will be charmed by Bambang. --Booklist The absurdity of the premise, Mango's combination of gentle kindness and steely determination, and the charm of Bambang himself provide immediate appeal, while the brief page count, large font, and plentiful illustrations will buoy novice chapter book readers...Fans of the recent Paddington Bear movie and those who love Hilary McKay's animal-centric "Lulu" series may especially enjoy this introduction to Mango and Bambang's adventures. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Mango & Bambang: The Not-a-Pig seems as much like a temptingly packaged confection as a first-in-a-series chapter book for 6- to 9-year-olds. Really, it is both: a delicious and engaging story of the friendship between a city girl and a talking tapir from deepest Malaysia. --The Wall Street Journal There hasn't been a story so clever, heartwarming and absolutely delightful since we were introduced to Mercy Watson (who is, in fact, a pig). Faber's first installment reminds me a little of 'My Father's Dragon,' but it is wholly original. Vulliamy's illustrations are also incredible and have the feel of a classic. I eagerly await Book Two. --Clarion-Ledger”

Told over four chapters, this sweetly old-fashioned story from newcomer Faber follows the friendship that develops between a competent, kindhearted girl named Mango and Bambang, a talking tapir from Malaysia...Vulliamy’s chic black-and-white illustrations, accented with lavender, play right into the primness and dry humor of Faber’s storytelling, helping to create a bustling, adventure-filled urban landscape that readers should be eager to revisit.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

This whimsical book is a heartfelt story of friendship with interspersed facts on tapirs. Charming black-and-white illustrations throughout support the text and add to the humor. A quirky new early chapter book series featuring two memorable characters.
—School Library Journal

Each of Mango and Bambang’s gentle adventures is discrete enough that emerging readers can break up the book into more digestible pieces, while Vulliamy’s cartoonish two-color illustrations—check out that adorable tapir in a tasseled sombrero—add to the whimsical atmosphere. Middle-grade readers tired of the usual animal shtick will be charmed by Bambang.
—Booklist

The absurdity of the premise, Mango’s combination of gentle kindness and steely determination, and the charm of Bambang himself provide immediate appeal, while the brief page count, large font, and plentiful illustrations will buoy novice chapter book readers...Fans of the recent Paddington Bear movie and those who love Hilary McKay’s animal-centric “Lulu” series may especially enjoy this introduction to Mango and Bambang’s adventures.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Mango & Bambang: The Not-a-Pig seems as much like a temptingly packaged confection as a first-in-a-series chapter book for 6- to 9-year-olds. Really, it is both: a delicious and engaging story of the friendship between a city girl and a talking tapir from deepest Malaysia.
—The Wall Street Journal

There hasn't been a story so clever, heartwarming and absolutely delightful since we were introduced to Mercy Watson (who is, in fact, a pig). Faber's first installment reminds me a little of 'My Father's Dragon,' but it is wholly original. Vulliamy's illustrations are also incredible and have the feel of a classic. I eagerly await Book Two.
—Clarion-Ledger

Polly Faber is a children’s-book blogger and volunteer reading helper through the charity Beanstalk. With her family, she looks after her very own tiny free library outside their house in North London.

Clara Vulliamy began her career illustrating for newspapers and magazines but switched to illustrating children’s books after becoming a mother. She is the illustrator of the Digby O’Day series of first chapter books. Clara Vulliamy lives in England.

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