THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS! by Jon Scieszka

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Scieszka, Jon. 1996. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS!. Ill by Lane Smith. New York, NY: Puffin. ISBN 0140544518

PLOT SUMMARY

In this unique rendition of the classic tale, THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, Jon Scieszka leads the reader on the day in the life of the so called, “big, bad wolf.” It is addressed as the true story from the perspective of the wolf in question. The day begins with Alexander T. Wolf or Al as he is known by his friends, needing a cup of sugar to bake his grandmother a birthday cake. He is forced to go out, with a “terrible sneezing cold” to beg for sugar from his neighbors, who just so happen to be pigs. As he goes from door to door, his horrible cold forces him to kill the pigs and then eat them, so as not to be wasteful. In the end, he is taken to jail for the crimes of murder, even though he was the obvious victim of a biased press looking for the more sensational story.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jon Scieszka portrays a colorful character in place of the infamous villain from this traditional tale by telling the story from perspective of the wolf. The tale begins as one would expect, in a flat and traditional tone. His outlook of the events that transpired on the day in question is vastly entertaining and unique. Scieszka presents the tale as a very true story by stating A. Wolf as the real author and Jon Scieszka as merely an informer. Colorful alliteration with “huffed” and “snuffed” draws giggles and smiles from audiences of all ages, along with the familiar scenes depicted in mocking detail. The voice of the wolf is pleadingly sincere making logical arguments in sequential order.

The illustrations by Lane Smith complete the vision of the poor, victimized wolf and the evil, ignorant pigs that wrongly slandered his good name. In some frames, the images are largely distorted as to portray in acute detail the actions of each character. The straw and stick houses explode before the eyes, as well as the wolf’s eating habits of the wee little piggies. The oddly realistic watercolors draw the eye to the minutest details on every page.

The combination of the narrator’s witty banter and the amusing drawings of evil pigs beside a fatherly-looking wolf bring the story full circle in a resounding cry for the falsely vilified Alexander T. Wolf.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award for Picture Book (1991)

Caldecott Honor Award for illustrations

ALA Notable Children’s Books

The New York Time’s Book of the Year

Designed with uncommon flair," said PW, this "gaily newfangled version of the classic tale" takes sides with the villain. "Imaginative watercolors eschew realism, further updating the tale."

-Publisher’s Weekly

The bespectacled wolf moves with a rather sinister bonelessness, and his juicy sneezes tear like thunderbolts through a dim, grainy world. It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny.

-John Peters, New York Public Library

CONNECTIONS

*Gather other books illustrated by Lane Smith, such as THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES (also written by Jon Scieszka) and MADAM PRESIDENT.

*Other books with ironic characters and altered viewpoints include:

THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG by Eugene Trivizas

HONESTLY, RED RIDING HOOD WAS ROTTEN! THE STORY OF LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD AS TOLD BY THE WOLF (THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY) by Trisha Speed Shaskan

*The tale is perfect for school teachers and librarians alike, where they can lead young children can discuss the different perspectives of these characters, and others from other traditional tales.