The Three Little Tamales: Book Review
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric A. The
Three Little Tamales. New York: Marshall Cavendish Children, 2009. ISBN
0761455191
Decampo, Valeria. 2009. The
Three Little Tamales. By Eric A. Kimmel. New York: Marshall Cavendish
Children, 2009. ISBN 0761455191
PLOT SUMMARY
This story is a folktale retelling, changing out three
little pigs for three little tamales, giving this classic tale a true TexMex
spin. Three little tamales from Tia Lupe’s restaurant learn of their fate and
decide to run away, each leaving and building themselves a little casita to
live in. The first little tamale builds herself a casita out of sagebrush, the
second little tamale builds his casita out of cornstalks, and the third little
tamale builds her casita out of sturdy cactus. Senor Lobo appears, and
following the classic tale, tries to “huff and puff” and blow the little
casitas in and gobble up the three little tamales. Will the three little tamales
escape senor lobo? In the end, the tamales outsmart Senor lobo, threatening to
cook him for their dinner. Senor lobo flees the scene in fear, and the three
little tamales throw a party to celebrate.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story puts an entertaining spin on a well-known and well-loved
classic folktale. Eric A. Kimmel incorporates cultural aspects, letting TexMex
themes shine through in the story through use of Texas imagery, description
and Spanish vocabulary/terminology (such as the use of "casita" for little house, and "tia" and "tio" for aunt and uncle). The readers find themselves rooting for
the three little tamales, anticipation and hope for their survival keeping them
glued to the book until the very end. The book ends positively, teaching senor
lobo (Spanish terms used for mister wolf) a lesson, but also letting him live and escape from becoming dinner
himself. This is important, teaching children that there are consequences to
bad actions, but also about forgiveness.
Valeria Decampo provides fun, captivating imagery
throughout the story. The cleverly crafted illustrations serve to give the
overall story a true Southwester/TexMex feel, using vivid coloration and
attention to detail in cultural imagery (such as with Tio Jose’s and Tia Lupe’s
restaurant which is reflective of Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurants you can find all over Texas). The artwork is thoughtful, and gives life to the book and to its
characters. Each of the three little tamales is unique in their appearance,
differentiating them and their individual traits and casitas, such as the artistic choice to give one tamale a Mexican-style mustache. The rich portrayal
of the Texas landscape serves to truly immerse the reader within the story,
creating an overall Texas tone to the story with its imagery of cactus, dry lands, and starry-night skies. All in all, the illustrations strengthen
the book and help keep the audience enchanted until the very last page.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
2011 Volunteer State Book Award- Grades K-3 (Nominee)
From School Library Journal: “Kimmel has pulled the pork
from “The Three Little Pigs” wrapped it in masa, and cooked up another
traditional tale flavored with Southwestern spice…The colorful artwork combines
with a text brimming with humor and sound effects (“Ay! Ay! Ay!”) for a delightful
parody sure to satisfy readers’ appetite for fun.”
From Booklist: “Docampo’s oil-on-paper illustrations add
dimension to the story and bring the three little tamales to life. An excellent
addition to collections of fairy-tale retellings.”
From Kirkus Reviews: “A Flavorful addition to the folktales
shelf that begs to be shared with a group.”
CONNECTIONS
Read other books by Eric A. Kimmel such as:
- · Medio Pollito: A Spanish Tale. ISBN 0761457054
- · Hanukah Bear. ISBN 0823443169X
- · Little Red Hot. ISBN 1477816380
Read other fairytale/folktale retellings such as:
- · Underwood, Deborah. Interstellar Cinderella. ISBN 1452125325
- · Yim, Natasha. Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas. ISBN 1580896537
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