BIBLIOGRAPHY
Teague, Mark. 2014. The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780545686624
PLOT SUMMARY
Award winning Mark Teague begins his rendition of a familiar favorite in a "somewhat" different way. After a farmer pays his three little pigs for their hard work, he sends them off to find their way in the world. The two less responsible piggies choose to spend their money on chips and sody-pop, leaving only enough to build houses of straw and sticks. The third un-pig-like piggy tediously constructs an abode of brick. One day a hungry wolf comes to town, but the dining establishments are either closed or refuse to serve him! In a moment of hungry rage, the wolf blows down the homes of the first two piggies, but passes out cold trying to destroy the third house. In the end the three piggies feed their new friend, as he was only somewhat bad...and only very hungry.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Mark Teague does it again with a hilarious version of The Three Little Pigs. Detailed oil paintings keep the reader enthralled while the storyline brings about laughter. As with most versions, there are two less responsible piggies whose homes are destroyed. The cutest part of this story is the “somewhat” bad wolf. When he comes to town, he’s truly in search of a regular meal. The hungrier he gets, the more clouded his judgement becomes. He only blows down the homes of the first two piggies because he is blinded by his starvation status! In an adorable ending, the wolf is embarrassed by his behavior and befriended by the three piggies who share their snacks and dinner with him.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
This fractured-fairy-tale version is a silly lesson in responsible spending, as two pigs squander their money on chips and "sody-pop" instead of solid building materials. The wolf--ultimately benign, just hungry--fails to knock down the third pig's brick house and is invited in for a snack. Teague's humorous take on the tale and his bold, polished oils are spot-on. -Horn Book Guide 2013
CONNECTIONS
This title would be great to include in a comparative study of different versions of the same fairy tale. It offers a perspective not visited in other variations of this story.
Related titles:
Tell the Truth BB Wolf by Judy Sierra
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugenios Trivizas
The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
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