THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS!

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Scieszka, Jon. THE TRUE STOR OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS!. Ill. by Lane Smith. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 1989.  ISBN 0-670-82759-2

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

After Alexander T. Wolf introduces himself and indicates his intent to straighten out the reader’s misperceptions about the new of the three little pigs, he first explains that he is not responsibly that wolves like to eat cute bunnies. The wolf proceeds to claim that the real story of the three pigs is about a cup of sugar and a couple of sneezes. The wolf then begins his tale, claiming that while making his granny a birthday cake, he runs out of sugar and begins a quest for the ingredient. Alexander T. Wolf claims that in his quest for sugar, he merely sneezes in the proximity of the pigs’ homes, knocking the houses down. Not wanting to be wasteful, he decides to eat the deceased pigs . . . one by one. Finally, because his “sneeze” has no effect on one pig’s brick house, the wolf loses his temper when the pig supposedly insults the wolf’s grandmother, and the police haul him off to jail, thereby “unjustly” destroying his stellar reputation.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Scieszka’s variant of the classic tale of the three little pigs presents the story from the wolf’s point of view, though throughout the story, this reader definitely has a sense that the wolf is lying through his sharp teeth. In spite of the fact that the wolf claims that he is the victim, a symbol of good . . . his character is suspect from the beginning as he claims that it is not his fault that wolves like to eat cute bunnies and sheep. In spite of his claims of innocence, the wolf still reflects wickedness for the mere fact that he attempts to hide and justify his evil acts. In spite of the wolf’s twisted thinking, a strong moral message comes through that good will triumph over evil.

Lane Smith’s illustrations grab and hold the attention of the reader, creating a dark tone through color choice.  The wolf’s beady little yellow eyes peer from behind his spectacles, and even within “dear old granny’s” cake-mixing bowl, the ears of a cute bunny stick out from beneath the heap of cake ingredients. The illustrations hold a surreal quality, including slightly distorted perspectives. In the midst of the darkness, humor shines through in the pages that include the pink fanny of a deceased pig sticking out from beneath the earth, the curled tail reminiscent of a birthday candle. This delightful variant is indeed humorous, yet this reader disagrees with the book jacket that the text is appropriate for ages three to eight. It is too dark for a pre-school child, particularly since pre-school children could not fully appreciate the humor or contrasts to the original tale. Intermediate students through adults may enjoy this tale most.

4.  AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Book Links (A.L.A.), March 2007

Elementary School Library Collection, June 2000

Wilson’s Children, October 2010

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, October 1989:  “The bespectacled wolf moves with a rather sinister bonelessness, and his juicy sneezes tear like thunderbolts through a dim, grainy world. It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, March 1996: “Designed with uncommon flair, gaily newfangled version of the classic tale takes sides with the villain.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

* For upper elementary through middle school classes, read aloud this variant tale to introduce and illustrate the concepts of hyperbole and tone and perspective. Define terms and allow groups to find examples throughout the book, from both the text and the illustrations.

* For upper elementary students, have the students re-write the tale in their own words yet with an alternate ending.

* Have students in upper elementary grades work in cooperative groups to re-create the variant tale in verse form.