On a bright and beautiful spring day, Pearl, a pig, is dawdling on her way home from school when she most unexpectedly strikes up an acquaintance with a small bone. 'You talk?' says Pearl. 'In any language,' says the bone. 'And I can imitate any sound there is.' (Its former owner was a witch.) Pearl and the bone are soon heading home together, happily continuing their conversation. But before she can introduce her new friend to her parents, the resourceful bone must deal with a band of highway robbers in Halloween masks and - worse! - a fox who decides that Pearl will be his main course at dinner that night. William Steig, incomparable master of the contemporary picture book, creates a wonderful world of villains, exploits and friendship.