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The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

(1996, Fiction - Fairy Tale, Written by Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by Lane Smith)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Delightful story is a surefire attention-grabber.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness :

    It is mentioned that the wolf eats the pigs, though his eating takes place offstage.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

Parents need to know that the main character, Alexander T. Wolf, tells his version of the "Three Little Pigs" story from prison. (He's accused of killing and eating two of the three pigs.) The wolf presents his side of the story as the truth, but there's also the distinct possibility that he's lying. While adults will undoubtably draw larger lessons from this razor-sharp fairy tale parody, kids will probably just think it's funny.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how there can often be two -- or three, or four -- different sides to every story. Do you believe the wolf is innocent? Why or why not? When you're presented with multiple versions of "the truth," how are you supposed to know which version to believe? What role do newspapers (and other forms of media like television and the Internet) play in disseminating "the truth"? Is it safe to believe everything you read -- or can the truth be manipulated?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in Vermont
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    fun for everyone (even adults!)

    I have loved this book for years. It's a page-turner that parents will enjoy too.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

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