picture book - The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

Scieszka, J. (1989). The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs! By A. Wolf. New York: Puffin Books

The humor of this books begins with the cover. The title indicates that this traditional fairy tale story is being told from the wolf's point of view. The wolf has told his story to Jon Scieszka who has written it down. As the story unfolds, the wolf  explains that the huffing and puffing were due to a terrible cold and that it was because of his sneezing that the houses were blown down. Of course he didn't want to waste food, so when the houses fell down on the pigs, he was merely doing the right thing by eating them. The wolf goes on to explain how he was framed and as a result given the name of "big bad wolf."

The colors chosen by illustrator Lane Smith help give the story a foreboding feeling. Although a humorous tale, the reader knows that something bad is and/or will be happening. The uses of lines in the pictures also helps create the mood of disarray and chaos. As straw or sticks are flying around, it gives the effect of a confusing scene. A couple of times in the book, Smith uses the artistic media style of collage for the text. For example, he uses bricks, twigs, straw and other items mentioned in  the story to form letters to emphasize the point that this is the REAL story of what happened to the pigs and the wolf.






The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs! By A. Wolf  could be used with younger readers by comparing and contrasting the facts with the traditional and other versions of this beloved tale. This would also be an excellent example to teach first person point of view;  with a twist! Older readers could be divided into groups, each taking the side of either the wolf or the pigs. The students could then debate the two sides or hold a mock trial.

The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs! By A. Wolf could be a great discussion starter in a government class about "innocent until proven guilty." Also, questions could be raised about the death penalty. Many students could relate to this because perhaps they have been falsely accused of something or have done something in which their intentions were misinterpreted.