Review for "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs"

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Scieszka, Jon. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. New York: Viking Penguin, 1989.  ISBN 0670827592 

PLOT SUMMARY 

This books provides an alternative version of the Three Little Pigs and is told from the perspective of the wolf. Told from his jail cell, Alexander T. Wolf recounts his side of the story about how he was framed, and how all he really wanted from the pigs was a cup of sugar for his granny's birthday cake. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 

Alexander T. Wolf, or "Al" for short, tries to evoke sympathy from the reader right from the start when he explains that he was visiting the pigs to ask for a cup of sugar for his granny's birthday cake. He insists that he did not "murder" the pigs, but when he came across them "dead as a doornail" he simply did not want good food to go to waste (Scieszka). He describes the pigs as hostile and unwilling to help him and his excuse for all of the huffing and puffing was attributed to a him having a cold and sneezing. While the author does not intend for the reader to believe Al's side of the story, this version teaches them that there are two sides to each story. The media is portrayed to be "the bad guy" which is a concept from the book that could be tied into current events and politics in today's society.  

The illustrations are done in dark and sepia-tones and elude to the idea that Al's story might not be trustworthy. The "torn paper" frames around each page indicate that the this story is an unsolved case or cold case file and give the reader a feeling of mystery and suspense.  

REVIEW EXCERPT(S) 

2009 NOTABLE CHILDREN'S RECORDING by ALSC 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL TOP 100 PICTURE BOOKS #35 

From Publishers Weekly 1989: “Designed with uncommon flair, this alternative fable is both fetching and glib.” 

From Kirkus Reviews 1989: “Scieszka carries off this revision with suitably mordant humor, ably reflected in Smith's dark, elegantly sophisticated illustrations. .” 

CONNECTIONS 

Gather other versions of The Three Little Pigs: 

•                      Schwartz, Corey Rosen. Ninja Pigs. ISBN 978-0399255144 

•                      Lowell, Susan. The Three Little Javenlinas. ISBN 978-0873585422 

Gather other Jon Scieszka books to read such as: 

•                      Math Curse. ISBN 978-0670861941 

•                      Baloney (Henry P). ISBN 978-0142404300

Use this story as an aide when teaching students about quality, trustworthy sources. Use Al's claim about false reporting to discuss the important of remaining neutral while reporting news. 

Allow students to develop their own version of the 3 Little Pigs from a different character's perspective. (Example: have them write from the police officer's point of view, or a neighbor's perspective)  

References

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, Christ Academy. Personal photograph by Emily Adams. February 14, 2017.