The Three Pigs

Bibliography

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

Summary

This classic story begins like the traditional Three Little Pigs, but when the wolf blows the house, he blows the pig right out of the colorful story page. The other two pigs also escape and they all ride on a paper airplane made from a page of the book to fairy tales where they are joined by the cat from "Hey, Diddle Diddle" and the dragon they rescue. As the pigs escape through the collection of stories, they finally end up back home and even the words and letters of the page are completely mixed up. Do not fear, though, the pigs live happily ever after at home with the dragon and the cat with its fiddle. The idea of Wiesner in creating this clever story and beautiful drawings will be loved by young and old alike. The pigs' expressive eyes and the ever changing details in the story provide a book which will be read again and again.

Critical Analysis

The Three Pigs is a story that I personally never get tires of hearing.  It is a story that all children know all too well but will eagerly listen to it over and over again.  The storyline portrays both good and bad characters but the story line takes a twist when the pigs escape the wolf.  Wiesner has the pages come alive and out of the story allowing the pigs to hide under the pages and even escape from the wolf on a paper airplane.  The author allows us to use our imagination with this modern updated approach.  The theme is no longer about work ethics and laziness instead the author allows the pigs to enter a new fairy tale.  The speech bubbles allow the reader to experience the pigs true feelings.  The blank pages gives the reader the opportunity to use their imagination as to where the pigs are going.  Nice story line, excellent pictures, and creative ending!  Remarkable undated version of The Three Pigs.

Review Excerpts and Awards
-The Horn Book Review - "Obviously there’s a lot going on here, but once you get your bearings, this is a fantastic journey told with a light touch."

-The New York Times - “Wiesner’s dialogue and illustrations are clever, whimsical and sophisticated.”

-School Library Journal - “Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite.”

Awards

Caldecott Medal 2002

Connections

-Read other versions of The Three Little Pigs and compare and contrast with Wiesner's

-Make puppets using popsicle sticks and have the students retell the story

-Have the students come up with a different and creative ending

-Have the students come up with rhyming words with the following words from the story: stick, pig, pot, straw

-Discuss character traits of the wolf, pig 1, pig2, and pig 3

-Read and discuss all three of Wiesner's Caldecott Medal winning books:

       The Three Pigs
       Flotsom ISBN 9780618194575
       Tuesday ISBN 9780395870822