Review: THE THREE PIGS, Genre 1, Picture Books

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Weisner, David. 2002. THE THREE PIGS. New York, NY: Scholastic. ISBN 0439445175.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This version of The Three Little Pigs begins as the traditional versions do but it quickly takes an unexpected turn of events. The little pigs are actually able to escape the wolf by leaving the pages of the story and venturing out to explore a world of their own. In this story the pigs save a dragon from his would be slayer and therefore have a friend for life. You can imagine the benefits of having a dragon in your debt if your enemy is a wolf.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story is a wonderful take on the traditional version. The characters of the pigs become more deep and unique as they venture out of the traditional story and make choices which affect their lives. The befriending of the dragon is so very intelligent as this indebts the dragon to the pigs. This choice really does enable them to “live happily ever after.”

The illustrations are beautiful. Depending on the setting, the appearance of the pigs changes throughout the story. In the beginning the pigs appear flat and cartoonish as they often do in traditional Three Little Pigs stories. As they emerge from the story they take on more realistic, three dimensional characteristics. This more complex appearance matches the pigs more complex actions. This visual really adds to the intelligence and individualization of the pigs.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publishers Weekly-“Wiesner’s brilliant use of white space and perspective…evokes a feeling that the characters can navigate endless possibilities.”
Children’s Literature- “A clever tale that will keep kids poring over every detail.”
School Library Journal- “Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite.”


5. CONNECTIONS
*Use in conjunction with a study of Caldecott award winning books by David Weisner:
TUESDAY, ISBN 0395870828 and FLOTSAM, ISBN 0618194576, and Davis Weisner’s Caldecott Honor books: FREE FALL, ISBN 068810990 and SECTOR 7, ISBN 0395746566.
* Use to compare/ contrast different versions of The Three Little Pigs books. Some versions to look at include: THE FOURTH LITTLE PIG, by Teresa Noel Celi, ISBN 0817235779, THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS, by Jon Scieszka, ISBN 0140544518, THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG, by Eugene Trivizas, ISBN 068981528, and THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS, by Susan Lowell, ISBN 0873585429.