The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Scieszka, J., & Smith, L. (2014). The true story of the 3 little pigs. New York, NY: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA).

Summary:

The big bad wolf has spent ten years in pig prison for the destruction of the three little pigs, and he has quite a story to tell that just might prove his innocence!

Alexander T. Wolf writes his own account of this infamous meeting, and insists that he was railroaded in the classic fairytale. After all, it was only an innocent sneeze (he had a bad cold), and all he wanted was to borrow a cup of sugar from one of the pigs. Why is he now the bad guy?

Smith's colorful and humorous illustrations put an interesting spin on the comical text. An engaging read for young readers. Teachers and parents will get a kick out of it too!

Retrieved from: Scholastic.com on November 25,2019: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/the-true-story-of-the-3-little-pigs-by-a-wolf/

Age level appropriate for this book: Grades 1-5

Justification: Students and adults will love this book. It goes well with the reading standard RL.3.6 (Distinguish their own perspective from that of the narrator or those of the characters, and describe how various perspectives shape the content of the text). Everyone knows the story of the three little pigs, but this book is fun because it is told from the wolf’s perspective. Teachers could have students determine their own perspective about the story of the three little pigs. They could have them decide which story they believe, the pig’s story or the wolf’s story. This book is great to add to any classroom library because it is very engaging for students and they can learn a lot about different perspectives from this book.

Review:

Scieszka’s sardonic retelling (1989) of the old tale from the wolf’s point of view is given new life in this read-along. Giamatti’s soft, slightly raspy voice is a perfect, satiric match for Lane Smith’s stylized, hip illustrations. Adding an occasional chuckle at appropriate moments, Giamatti creates a full-bodied characterization of Alexander T. Wolf as he tells his side of the story, making the case that he was framed. Sound effects for the wolf’s huge sneezes excellently back up his claims that a bad cold caused the destruction of the pigs’ houses of straw and twigs. Understated music never overwhelms this fine production, which includes a hardcover book. Also available in DVD for $59.95. —Connie Rockman

Retrieved from WKU Libraries on November 25, 2019: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.libsrv.wku.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=48673b00-b576-489a-8223-d86f67895c67%40pdc-v-sessmgr05