Book Review - The Three Little Wolves and The Big Bad Pig
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Trivizas, Eugene. (1993). THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. Ill. by Helen Oxenbury. Margaret K. McElderry Books an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. ISBN: 9780689815287
PLOT SUMMARY
In this version of the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs, there are three little wolves trying to stop a big bad big pig from blowing down their house. Following the classic storyline, they build three houses, but each one is foiled by the pig. They start with brick, move to concrete, and finally metal, but on each one the pig finds a way to demolish it. The last house the three wolves build is made of flowers and when the pig smells the flowers, he decides he wants to become the big “good” pig. The story ends with the wolves and the pig becoming friends.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Three Little Wolves and The Big Bad Pig stays true to some elements of the original fable, but diverges from the very beginning. The species swapping creates an interesting element that provides a new perspective on the old tale. While in the original story the houses are built from weak to strong ending with brick, this one starts with brick and continues to increase in strength with concrete and metal. The determination of the pig to be “big” and “bad” is shown with his clever use of various tools to destroy the wolves’ houses. That last house is actually the most delicate being made of flowers, and that’s the house that actually changes the pig’s behavior. This is an opposition to the original, which ends with the strongest house still standing, but conveys the message that delicate and beautiful things can be just as strong.
The author used the traditional wording such as “by the hair on our chinny-chin-chins” and “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down.” However, he adds new phrases as well such as “not for all the tea leaves in our china teapot” and “he huffed and he puffed and he puffed and he huffed, but the house didn't fall down.” This brings familiarity to the reimagined tale while keeping it interesting for old and new readers alike.
The illustrations show the story of the three little wolves and their lives constantly being interrupted by the big bad pig. While drawn, the characters themselves are realistic in color and look, however, the animals walk on two legs, providing a human element. There is also the story of the china teapot that can be seen being safely smuggled away by one of the wolves each time their house is torn down. Each time the wolves have to run, the fear is easily seen with their wide eyes and agape mouths along with any injuries they might’ve received. The pig’s hatred is shown by having a constant scowl in all of his illustrations up until he smells the house with the flowers when his expression turns blissful. This contrast gives the reader the images needed to see that his attitude truly has changed.
While this story is an untraditional take on a classic, it delivers a few different messages. One of
the main ones being that trying something new and different might be the solution that is needed.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
KIRKUS REVIEW: “This latter-day plea for a peaceable kingdom reckons once and for all with the question at the core of this familiar tale—why must pigs and wolves be enemies?”
BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
CONNECTIONS
*A version of The Three Little Pigs
*This story could be used in order to help teach perspectives or how to be effective problem solvers by thinking of out-of-the-box solutions.
*This story could lead to a discussion on when forgiveness should be given or witheld or why they think the flowers changed his behavior in the end.
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