The 3 Little Pigs: A New Version

Scieszka, Jon, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. Ill.by Lane Smith New York, NY: Penguin Group, 1996.

ISBN: 0670827592

Summary of Plot:

Al, a.k.a. the Big Bad Wolf, is finally given the opportunity to tell his side of the story about what really happened with the three little pigs. He recalls making a cake for his granny and needing a cup of sugar. He decides to go borrow a cup of sugar from his neighbors, the three little pigs. He could not help it when as he knocked on the doors of the pigs houses he would huff and puff and sneeze. Unfortunately the pigs homes were not sturdy and could not endure a wolf sneeze. The accidental death of the pigs was ill-fated and the he felt bad letting a juicy pig go to waste, so that is why he gobbled them up. Poor Al, framed and imprisoned, if only his pig neighbors would have been friendlier!

Critical Analysis:

Scieszka presents a witty new version of the traditional story of The Three Little Pigs. This version is from the point of the traditional antagonist, the wolf, which instantly draws the readers in by offering an “insider” view point. The element of the traditional “bad guy,” the wolf, takes an interesting turn as the wolf makes a case for why he now should be the “good guy.”

Lane Smith adds to the humor of the story by including clever details within the pictures such as, bunny ears sticking out of the cake the wolf makes for his granny and the pattern of a set table that the sticks fall in after the second little pig’s house falls down.

The overall message of good triumphing over evil is not as prevalent as perhaps the message that there are two sides to every story and both sides need a voice. Children may learn that only the best judgment can be made after hearing both sides of the story.

Reviews and Awards:

“One of the best books of the year, exuding vitality and energy.”—Bookseller

“Pure creativity.”—Junior Bookshelf                                         

ALA Noteable Book

 School Library Journal, NY Times, and Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Connections:

*Compare and Contrast the traditional tale of the three little pigs with Scieszka’s True Story of the 3 Little Pigs.

*Write the Wolf a letter about why you either believe or disbelieve his story.

*Write your own version of the three little pig story.

*Illustrate a “Wanted” or “Free the Wolf” poster.

*Act out the three little pigs story as it was recounted by the wolf.