Book Review #2-Traditional Literature

Book Review #2-Traditional Literature

The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

Bibliography

Wiesner, David. 2001. THE THREE PIGS. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618007016

PLOT SUMMARY

This books starts out like the all other traditional Three Little Pig books, halfway through the book the story takes a twist.  Something completely unexpected happens, the pigs break out of the storybook and explore a completely different world. They meet up with characters from nursery rhymes and a dragon.  At the end of the story they pigs return to the brick house with the dragon, the dragon scares the wolf away. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story of The Three Pigs is like never seen before, it is one of a kind with it's unexpected twist halfway through the book. Wiesner draws the reader in from the very beginning and keeps them engaged with its traditional "not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin" and "then I'll huff and puff and I'll blow your house in."  I had never read this book before and I completely did not expect what was going to happen, I expected the traditional events and boy was I wrong. The book offers so many opportunities for discussion since the events in the story are a big surprise for children who have heard the traditional story. 

This traditional tale has flat, simple illustrations that change as the story progresses.  They transform into incredible, detailed, and almost life like as the pigs make their way out of the book.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite."

Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: Wiesner's brilliant use of white space and perspective evokes a feeling that the characters can navigate endless possibilities-- and that the range of a story itself is limitless."

THE CALDECOTT MEDAL 2002

CONNECTIONS

*Read other books of The Three Pigs and use a venn diagram to compare and contrast the two stories.

*Other books for children to read to compare the stories:

Sciescka, Jon. THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS!ISBN 9780140544510