Module 2 Traditional Literature - THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS - Written by Jon Scieszka & Illustrated by Lane Smith

 

Module 2 – Book Review 2 

Review of Jon Scieszka’s THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS 

*This review was written for a course through Sam Houston State University. 

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Scieszka, Jon. (1996). The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. Ill. By Lane Smith. Penguin Group (USA) LLC. ISBN: 9780451471956 

  

2. SUMMARY 

"The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" is a funny and engaging retelling of the classic fairy tale, but it is told from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf. The story is narrated by the wolf, who claims to be innocent and a victim of misunderstanding and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He tells a story where he merely needed to borrow a cup of sugar for his grandmother's birthday cake, and due to his severe sneezing, he inadvertently caused the chaos and destruction that led him to be labeled a villain. He also states that the misunderstanding is partially due to the rudeness of the three little pigs. Mr. Wolf says, "That's it. The real story. I was framed."   

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS  

Scieszka does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the story to tell Mr. Wolf's perspective. The story is told in a first-person narrative and addresses the audience by using second-person pronouns. Although they are considered the hallmark of the fractured fairy tale, the author uses personification to bring the Big Bad Wolf and the three little pigs to life. Scieszka's choice of words is important to establish a specific narrative that helps the wolf gain the trust of the audience and prove his innocence. The wolf makes statements to help establish his personality and circumstance as misunderstood when he describes his diet and attempts to make his dear old granny a birthday cake. The story takes the classic tale and not only tries to show the wolf to be a victim but even goes so far as to villainize the three little pigs. While the story itself is a brilliant and creative retelling, the illustrations help to make the book persuasive and understanding toward the wolf. The illustrations help readers reconsider the Big Bad Wolf as a bad guy. Rather than the scary, big-toothed, deranged-looking wolf people might expect from the original fairy tale, instead the reader sees a somewhat proper wolf with glasses and small teeth. This drives down any intimidation the reader might feel from Mr. Wolf. The pigs are also drawn in such a way as to make them seem angry and/or "rude," as Mr. Wolf claims.   

The illustrations, in general, are a contradiction to the simple and almost light-hearted telling of the original "Three Little Pigs" story. The illustrations could be described as dark and possibly moody. Dark illustrations combined with the use of negative space are used to contrast with the classic fairy tale and challenge any preconceived notions of all of the characters in the story.   

This story challenges the familiar story we are all familiar with and leaves readers questioning whether he is the bad guy he has been made out to be and whether the pigs are truly innocent bystanders.   

My two sons, a 7-year-old and a soon-to-be 4-year-old, loved this book. Their reaction to the story was interesting because it gave me a different perspective on how children interpret stories and what they consider "right" or the appropriate way to tell a story and follow a certain chain of events. Once we got to the third little pig and his change in demeanor of being grumpy and dismissive rather than nervous and protective, my boys were rooting for the wolf who they had only moments before classified as the villain. We had a great conversation about how perspective can change, and a person must have the whole story.   

 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S) 

ALA Notable Children’s Books, 1995 

Horn Book Guide starred (February, 1990)  

This expose of the three pigs as told by their archrival, A. Wolf, should be a sensation among those who dote on inside stories. These revelations are accompanied by colorfully impressionistic illustrations. 

Kirkus Reviews (1989)  

One of life's more important lessons is that a second view of the same events may yield a story that is entirely different from another but equally "true." Scieszka carries off this revision with suitably mordant humor, ably reflected in Smith's dark, elegantly sophisticated illustrations. 

Publishers Weekly (March 4, 1996)  

"Designed with uncommon flair," said PW, this "gaily newfangled version of the classic tale" takes sides with the villain. "Imaginative watercolors eschew realism, further updating the tale." A Spanish-language reprint will be issued simultaneously ($4.99, -055758-X). Ages 3-8. (Mar.)  

School Library Journal (October 1989)  

Smith's dark tones and sometimes shadowy, indistinct shapes recall the distinctive illustrations he did for Merriam's Halloween ABC (Macmillan, 1987); 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. --John Peters, New York Public Library  

 

5. CONNECTIONS  

• Related Books - Other books for children to see classic fairy tales different perspectives and the “other side” of the story 

• Willems, Mo. GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE DINOSAURS. ISBN 9780062104182 

• Shaskan, T.S.. HONESTLY, RED RIDING HOOD WAS ROTTEN!: THE STORY OF LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD AS TOLD BY THE WOLF. ISBN 9781404870468 

• Enrichment Activities -    

• Point of View Writing – Have students choose a classic fairy tale and rewrite it from a different character’s perspective  

• Mock Trial Activity – Create a mock trial for the Big Bad Wolf and assign roles to the students such as witnesses, prosecutors, and defense lawyers