TRADITIONAL LITERATURE - The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Scieska, Jon.  1989.  THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS!  Ill. by Lane Smith.   New York: Viking. ISBN 0670827592

PLOT SUMMARY

All Mr. Wolf wanted was to borrow a cup of sugar when things begin to take a turn against him. Alexander T. Wolf states he was suffering from a cold that caused him to huff and puff when he went to ask for sugar.  Mr. Wolf is sent house to house begging for a cup of sugar.  At each house a turn of events unfolds leading most to believe he is a killer at heart. Unfortunately, due to that cold, the huffing and puffing turned into a sneezing fit and now he sits in jail while insisting he has been framed.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Stemming off the traditional version of The Three Little Pigs, this newer adaptation highlights a delightful twist in the account of the big bad wolf in regards to what really happened to the three little pigs.

This story pulls the reader in straight from the beginning by having it told from the point of view of Alexander T. Wolf.  The author, John Scieska, does a fantastic job in pulling in relatable relationships to what children know. For example, he writes, “if cheeseburgers were cute, folks would probably think you were Big and Bad, too.” His choice of wording helps the reader to understand why he couldn’t leave a pig just lying around because that was his “cheeseburger.”

The illustrations by Lane Smith, really help highlight the thoughts that are going through Alexandra T. Wolf’s head as the story progresses.  Vivid watercolors are used in this book to highlight the good aspects of Mr. Wolf. His use of visually making the wolf appear to be a “good guy” helps the story show that maybe he is innocent after all and we’ve had the story wrong all these years.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

HORN BOOK GUIDE: “This expose of the three pigs as told by their arch-rival, A. Wolf, should be a sensation among those who dote on inside stories. These revelations are accompanied by colorfully impressionistic illustrations.”

KIRKUS: “One of life's more important lessons is that a second view of the same events may yield a story that is entirely different from another but equally "true."Scieszka carries off this revision with suitably mordant humor, ably reflected in Smith's dark, elegantly sophisticated illustrations. Not for little children, but middle grades and up should be entertained while taking the point about the unreliability of witnesses.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Designed with uncommon flair,” said PW, this “gaily newfangled version of the classic tale” takes sides with the villain. “Imaginative watercolors eschew realism, further updating the tale.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: Victim for centuries of a bad press, Alexander (``You can call me Al'') T. Wolf steps forward at last to give his side of the story. Smith's dark tones and sometimes shadowy, indistinct shapes recall the distinctive illustrations he did for Merriam's Halloween ABC (Macmillan, 1987); the bespectacled wolf moves with a rather sinister bonelessness, and his juicy sneezes tear like thunderbolts through a dim, grainy world. It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny.

CONNECTIONS

Ø  This story would be a great asset to the classroom in comparing folktales and how they change over time.

Ø  Compare and contrast activities using this version versus the original version of The Three Little Pigs.

Ø  Could be used to help teach or expand on plot development, character development, and point of view.

Ø  Other stories where the roles are reversed for a different point of view:

o   Loewen, Nancy. BELIEVE ME, GOLDILOCKS ROCKS!: THE STORY OF THE THREE BEARS AS TOLD BY BABY BEAR. ISBN 9781404870444

o   Trivizas, Eugene. THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. ISBN 9780689815287


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