The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig Review
By Kelly Hartman
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Trivizas, Eugene. The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1993 ISBN 0689505698
PLOT SUMMARY
As the three little wolves venture out into the world, their mother offers a word of advice: "Beware of the big bad pig." Even though the wolves build strong homes with proper materials, the big bad pig is determined to find the means to knock it down; if not by huffing and puffing, then by more destructive measures. In the end, the wolves opt to use an unorthodox building material, and it surprisingly resolves their biggest issue.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
With this twisted plot, Trivizas spins a tale that readers will find familiar and comforting, yet pleasantly unpredictable. Elements like "once upon a time", good versus evil, and repetitions of three in a simple plot are carefully structured as the framework for this fairy tale. However, readers quickly understand that the fractured details, such as a bad pig trying to destroy sweet wolves, make for an interesting story that begs to be read again and again. From beginning to end, Trivizas cleverly balances the new with the old to keep readers wondering as they turn to the next page. Instead of straw, sticks, and bricks, the wolves begin with the sturdiest of building materials like concrete, and iron bars; and instead of giving up, the determined pig is successful in knocking down the houses by any means, such as fetching a sledgehammer, drill, or dynamite. Yet readers will delight in the familiar chants of "No, no, no...by the hair on our chinny-chin-chins" and "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down." All in all, the reader will be satisfied with the resolution when the pig and the wolves are able to live happily ever after.
The watercolor illustrations appeal to the youngest of readers. Oxenbury's drawings complement Triviza's story by matching its sophisticated wit. Advanced readers will delight in discovering more depth in the details of her drawings.
AWARD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
ILA/CBC Children's Choices
Booklist Editor's Choice
"Among the wittiest fractured tales around." -Publishers Weekly(starred review)
CONNECTIONS
Writing Connection
Create a Recast. Students will create a plot diagram with the story elements. Then they will change on element on the plot diagram to create their own tale. In addition, students can choose another familiar fairy tale to Recast into a fractured tale.
Gather...More Fractured Tales
Sleeping Ugly by Jane Yolen 9780698115606
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka 9780140544510
Cinder-Elly by Frances Minters 9780140561265
The Three Little Pigs Libguide(versions and variations)
Listen to songs from the musical, Wicked and compare to the plot of The Wizard of Oz.
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