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The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs (by Jon Scieszka)

common sense media says

Delightful story is a surefire attention-grabber.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

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.

Violence & scariness: It is mentioned that the wolf eats the pigs, though his eating takes place offstage.
Language: Not applicable.
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More on The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Don't believe everything you read! In this, the wolf's cockamamie version of the "Three Little Pigs," he goes to the first pig to borrow a cup of sugar and sneezes hard--blowing the house down is just an accident. He eats the pigs--sure, because wasting food is wrong--in this rollicking send-up of the classic fairy tale.

 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This send-up of the well-known story makes fun of the tendency to clean up classic fairy tales to suit modern tastes, and the book is a good introduction to the playfulness of parody -- as well as how a seemingly carefree laugh-along can coexist with deeper ideas. The wolf's wisecracking set off gales of laughter from a library full of 6-year-olds, but there's also a life lesson being taught: Namely, don't be so quick to judge behavior.

Writer Jon Scieszka and illustrator Lane Smith might well have been separated at birth, so perfectly do they fill any holes that may be missing from either text or artwork. Scieszka's verbal pizzazz, combined with Smith's expressionist paintings, leave no gaps to be filled.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication date: January 1, 1996
Number of pages: 32
Paperback price: $6.99
This review was written by Peter Lewis
 
 

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What parents & educators say

4

Most useful reviews by all members

tommysportsgirl
adult
 
fun for everyone (even adults!)
I have loved this book for years. It's a page-turner that parents will enjoy too.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (10)
Airbear2
teen, 15 years old
 
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
bbyro
adult
 
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (7)
Monica Jo
parent of 3 year old
4
 
Good For children of all ages...
Teaches children the concept that there are more than one side to every story. Each indivudal may have seen it another way.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
ahcim3
parent of 18 year old
3
 
wonderful book and great illustrations,excellent for all ages
clever, oh so very clever. a funny twist to the famous fairy tale comes off very well
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)

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