Book Review: THE THREE PIGS By David Wiesner

TWU course

Book Review: THE THREE PIGS By David Wiesner

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wiesner, David 2001. THE THREE PIGS. New York: Houghton. ISBN 0-618-00701-6

2. PLOT SUMMARY
THE THREE PIGS is a retelling of an old folktale.This story begins with the first pig building a house out of straw and the wolf blowing it down. The first pig is blown right out of the story but the wolf looks confused. Did he eat the first pig? From the look on the wolf's face he is unsure. At that point, the wolf has changed the events of the story. Each time the wolf tries to blow the pigs house down the three pigs are blown somewhere else.      

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story has fantasy and fun with the three pigs and the wolf. Weisner portrays the three pigs as hardworking animals. All the pigs are carrying what is needed to build a house. As I look at the illustrations, I see the pigs walking around with bricks, sticks, and straw. "The illustrations are watercolor, gouache, colored inks, pencil, and colored pencil on Fabriano hot press paper. I see the three pigs having a great time. They are not worried about the wolf just finding their way home.    

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
"Wiesner dialogue and illustrations are clever, whimsical and sophisticated (New York Times)."

"Children will delight in the changing perspectives...and the whole notion of the interrupted narrative...fresh and funny...Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite (School Library Journal)." 

Honors:
2002 Caldecott Medal

5. CONNECTIONS
This story would make an excellent activity to teach children K-3 to write about exploring their imagination.
*Other stories similar to THE THREE PIGS
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead