The Three Pigs: Book Review

The Three Pigs: Book Review

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wiesner, David. The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion Books, 2001. ISBN 0618007016

PLOT SUMMARY

This story starts out the same as the traditional tale, with three little pigs setting out on their own, building their three little houses with the wolf not too far behind. Instead of sticking to the original story-line, these creative pigs decide to mix things up and jump out of their stories, learning that they can use their imaginations to create endless possibilities! The three pigs go in and out of various stories, ending up back at the last little pig’s brick house, awaiting the wolf with an unexpected surprise…a dragon!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This version of the three pigs is told by the pigs themselves, changing the story as they see fit, maneuvering around in a parallel story structure. Though there is some text that follows the traditional tale, what stands out is how the pigs are drawn next to word bubbles with speech text, giving the readers insight into their personal thoughts and what they plan to do each step of the way. This is seen towards the end when the last little pig says "I have an idea!", and the audience is shown the images of the pigs hopping back into the tale, awaiting the wolf with their new dragon friend. This book is imaginative and unique in its breaking down of the ‘wall’ as the pigs become self-aware, even noticing the readers at one point when the pig says "I think someone is out there" and appears to looks directly at us, and are able to take their fate into their own hands. This story is entertaining and the readers find themselves waiting in anticipation to see what these clever pigs will do next.

This story begins in a more usual style of imagery, with two-dimensional images coinciding with the appropriate parts of the traditional story. The artwork then jumps off the page, transitioning into more three-dimensional and realistic illustrations, such as when the pigs fold up a page of the book into a paper airplane and decide to take a ride! This serves to differentiate between the traditional folktale and the new story that the pigs are creating in the 'present'. The artwork is fascinating, portraying images of torn pages, other traditional tale characters (such as the fairy tale dragon), and confusion on the wolf’s face as he tries to comprehend what is happening. The illustrations provide much needed explanations as to what is occurring in the book, and keep the reader glued to the book throughout the story. It is easy to see why this book is a Caldecott Medal winner!

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Medal Winner

From Publishers Weekly: “Wiesner’s brilliant use of white space and perspective…evokes a feeling that the characters can navigate endless possibilities—and that the range of the story itself is limitless.”

From Kirkus Review: “The three pigs…take off on a postmodern adventure via a paper airplane folded from the discarded pages of the traditional tale…the illustrations show us that once we have ventured out into the wider world, our stories never stay the same.”

CONNECTIONS

Use to teach children to compare and contrast stories.

Read more books by David Wiesner such as:

• ·         Flotsam. ISBN 0618194576
• ·         Mr. Wuffles! ISBN 0618756612
• ·         Art & Max. ISBN 0618756639

Read similar tales about the three pigs such as:

• ·         Marshall, James. The three Little Pigs. ISBN 0448422883
• ·         Schwartz, Corey Rosen. The Three Ninja Pigs. ISBN 0399255141
• ·         Scieszka, Jon. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. 0140544518