The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY:  Trivizas, Eugene. 1993. THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. Oxenbury, Helen. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN 0689505698.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this version of the Three Little Pigs, it is the wolves that are the ones that are trying to protect themselves from the big bad pig.  They are warned by their mother to stay away from the big bad pig when they are sent out into the world.  Instead of going their separate ways, they stay together.  The wolves are clever, so they build things that are strong.  A kangaroo is the first animal that they run into, and from her they get bricks to build their first house.  While they are playing croquet, the big bad pig comes.  They run inside the house to keep safe, but the big bad pig destroys the house with a sledgehammer.  The next house that the wolves build together is made out of concrete that a beaver helped them mix.  When they are playing battledore and shuttlecock, the big bad pig comes again.  This time he uses a pneumatic drill to destroy the house.  A rhinoceros comes by, and the wolves get barbed wire, iron bars, armor plates, reinforced steel chain, Plexiglas, and heavy metal padlocks for their next house from him.  The big bad pig comes and destroys the house with dynamite moments after the wolves begin playing hopscotch.  The wolves get discouraged and decide they need to try something new, because their plans are not working.  A flamingo comes by with flowers.  They make a house of flowers, and the big bad pig shows up again.  This time, as he starts his huffing and puffing, he begins to smell the beautiful fragrance of the flowers.  He decides to make a huge character change and become good, and even begins to sing and dance.  The wolves are still a little wary of him, but eventually begin playing games, such as pig-pog and piggy-in-the-middle with him.  The wolves and the pig end up living together in harmony.    

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Trivizas does a wonderful job of turning the traditional tale into a splendid fractured fairy tale.  The villain becomes our protagonist, whereas our protagonist becomes the villain.  This is an epic role reversal!  There is an appeal to older audiences with this tale.  The wolves start by being clever but increase their practical knowledge as they develop their lives.  Rich vocabulary is used to enhance the story’s imagery with words like sledgehammer, prowling, and scorched.   The surprise ending of winning with beauty and kindness is an unexpected twist.  It is a great moral, but it is disguised as a plot twist so that it is softened. 
The sophisticated building materials will really appeal to the male students; however, the females will love how the pig changes his personality after smelling the flowers.   

Oxenbury really does a splendid job with the illustrations.  She uses watercolors to soften what could have been a very harsh illustration.  The pictures are very detailed.  The houses show a lot of small details in very neutral and bland colors; however, the fact that they were painted using watercolors makes them not feel stiff like they could have felt.  The dynamite explosion, in particular, makes you feel like you are actually seeing it.  There are also some drawings that are not in color next to ones that are.  This helps the child see what is happening, while still focusing on the main story.  This book is ideal for students that have a hard time focusing on the big picture and main idea with supporting details.  It has extra details that do not support the main idea, but rather just enhance the story.  However, the illustrator made those details in black and white pictures, whereas the important details are in color.  This is very helpful to struggling students.

 
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Booklist Editors’ Choice

School Library Journal Best Book

Parents’ Choice Honor Book

Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Among the wittiest fractured fairytales around."

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:  “A menacing pig is thwarted by three endearing young wolves in this new twist on the porcine favorite. Three cheers for these frisky, frolicking creatures and for the swine who learns the joy of friendship and beauty.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*It is great to use in conjunction with a kindness unit at the beginning of the year.

Other books for children about kindness:

Steptoe, John.  MUFARO’S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS:  AN AFRICAN TALE.  ISBN 0140559469.

McCloud, Carol.  HAVE YOU FILLED A BUCKET TODAY?  ISBN 0978507517. 

*It is great to use in conjunction with measurement in math.  Have the students draw a house that the three little wolves lived in to a given scale.

*Compare and contrast The Three Little Pigs to The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig.