THE THREE LITTLE PIGS by James Marshall (genre 2 book 2)

In this version of the traditional folktale three pigs go out into the world to seek their fortunes but an encounter with a wolf will change their lives forever.

Each individual pig builds his own house. The first two pigs are warned of the poor quality of their building materials but they refuse to listen. When the wolf comes knocking, there is little to keep him outside. On approaching the third little pig's house, the wolf is stumped  by the brick construction and proceeds to try to talk the pig out of his safe haven.

James Marshall expands on this traditional tale of  the three little pigs by extending the final battle between the third pig and the wolf. Each continues to try and outsmart the other until the pig is almost caught. In the end the wolf is outsmarted and the pig doesn't go hungry.

Repetitious phrasing will be familiar for those who have heard the story before while drawing in those who have not. Marshall's cartoon-like illustrations fill the story with detail. From the book's cover, where the pigs appear to be bowing on stage, to the big bad wolf holding a pink balloon, each illustration helps to add to the depth of the text.

[spoiler]
While this tale is often touted as being violent, Marshall does not shy away from allowing the wolf to eat the first two little pigs. But the allusion to the pigs' successful stage play on the exterior cover gives a nod to the pigs telling their own tale. The conclusion helps support this theory since the third little pig succeeds in serving up the wolf for supper, inside a closed stew pot of course!

Review Excerpts:
"Familiar fare, infused with jaunty cartoon illustrations that add a generous helping of sly humor." - School Library Journal

"For pure, lighthearted fun with the essential tale intact, James
Marshall’s pigs take the cake." - Horn Book

Connections:
*Have listeners repeat the repetitious phrases to help include them in the storytelling.

*Use problem solving and critical thinking to discuss what children might have done if they were the third little pig.

*Older children can come up with their own version of this classic tale.

Marshall, James. 1989. The Three Little Pigs. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780803705944