The Three Little Pigs

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gliori, Debi. 2002. BEDTIME STORIES. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0-7894-8861-2

PLOT SUMMARY

The Three Little Pigs is the classic tale, but with a few twists and turns to bring back some life to an old story.  Readers are introduced to Pigwood (the lumber pig), Hamstraw (the straw and grass porker), and Porkstone (the stonework swine) and we learn that they are all architects with very different building styles.  When the wolf decides to make short-work of the three little houses to get to the pigs inside, we know that Pigwood and Hamstraw’s houses don’t stand a chance.  Suddenly, the wolf has three little pigs in Porkstone’s solid home and the wolf is engaging in modern warfare tactics to bring down the abode.  Unlike the classic tale, in which the wolf is eaten by the surviving pig, this rendition has a slight more vegetarian ending.

 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This modern twist on the classic The Three Little Pigs adds in elements of humor that was certainly lacking from the older tale.  Wolf appears in the story wearing rapper-style sweatpants and a large gold chain around his neck.  The reader also learns that Porkstone is interrupted by the other two pigs while he was working on his taxes. The illustrations are dynamic in the sense that each page has different picture positioning.  The thick border outlines on each page begin as straw, move to wood planks, and end with stone and metal.  Each picture page has subtle details that enhance the story.  The wolf uses his traditional words, like “huff” and “puff,” but his new phrases are all done in rhyme.  This story would make a very dynamic read aloud because of the opportunities for changes in voice and moments of suspense. Above all else, the ending will leave readers chuckling.

 

REVIEW EXCERPTS
 

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Still, when it comes to reassuring or even gently tickling her readers, Gliori has few equals.”

BOOKLIST: “Kids will giggle with pleasure when they read these spiced-up tales.”

CONNECTIONS

A strong storyteller could make this story come to life through voice changes and volume.  In addition, the audience could participate as the wolf does his tradition huffs and puffs. 

 

There are many books with pigs shining in the spotlight. Here are a few:

 

Falconer, Ian. OLIVIA. ISBN 0689829531

McPhail, David. PIGS APLENTY, PIGS GALORE! ISBN 0140553134

Numeroff, Laura Joffee. IF YOU GIVE  A PIG A PANCAKE. ISBN 0060266864

 

And there are also many versions of The Three Little Pigs. Here are a few titles:

 

Scieszka, Jon. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Ill. by Lane Smith. ISBN 0140544518

Trivizas, Eugene. THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. ISBN 068981528

Wiesner, David. THE THREE PIGS. ISBN 0618007016