Tag: reading

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!

Jon Scieszka, Author

Lane Smith, Illustrated

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Scieszka, Jon. 1989. THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS! Ill. by Lane Smith. New York: Viking Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780670827596.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS!, is a retelling of the familiar story of “The Three Little Pigs”, from the wolf’s point of view. Alexander T. Wolf retells his story as a claim of innocence, stating that he was not “big and bad” but simply misunderstood. His demise came from the simple need for a cup of sugar to bake a cake for his grandmother and his cold that caused him to sneeze away his neighbors’ homes. He becomes the unmistakable villain in this story and simply tries to prove his innocence to the reader and the author. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This picture book takes the story of a well-known fairytale and turns it upside down in a clever and humorous way. The narration is taken over by the wolf himself in order to clear his name once and for all. By setting his personality as being someone who is polite, reasonable, and innocent, the writing of this book almost lets you believe the world itself is innocent. 

The illustration in this book is essential to the humor Scieszka conveys. It is relative to a dark and gothic newspaper-like illustration that feeds into the tabloid or crime investigation aesthetic. Smith gives the wolf a look of innocence through his charming and put-together wardrobe and accessories. 

This book allows the reader to immerse themselves as someone on the jury and hear the other side of the story. Will they side with the wolf? Or will the stay true to the original story of “The Three Little Pigs”?

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

  • The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs is #35 on School Library Journal’s list “Top 100 Picture Books” of all time. 
  • The Big Bad Wolf tells his side in this fractured fairy tale, brought to life with irreverent storytelling and artwork that “older kids (and adults) will find very funny” (School Library Journal).

5. CONNECTIONS

  • This story would pair well with the traditional version of “The Three Little Pigs”. When both books are read, you can draw a comparison between the two stories and have a discussion on which one seems more probable. 
  • Related books:

Wiesner, David. THE THREE PIGS. ISBN 9780618007011.

Scieszka, Jon. THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES. Ill. by Lane Smith. ISBN 9780670844876.