A Slight Twist on The Three Little Pigs
By Mark Teague
Scholastic, $16.99, 48 pages
We are all familiar with the story of the three little pigs. Houses of straw, sticks and bricks mingle with a wolf who is hungry for the pigs that live inside. Ultimately, the wolf is outsmarted by the hardest working pig who cooks the malicious wolf in a pot of boiling water.
Mark Teague has taken the classic tale and twisted it ever so slightly to encourage children not only to work hard and invest wisely but also to be kind to others. When the “somewhat bad wolf” comes to town, he is looking for something to eat. When all the restaurants in town turn him away, he’s driven to the pigs’ homes and just happens to try blowing down the weak structures. When he arrives at the house made of bricks, he faints after huffing and puffing so hard. The most wise (and most female) pig invites the wolf to join her and her brothers for dinner. She is also the pig who encourages her siblings to eat vegetables instead of spending their money on junk food. In the end, the wolf and all three pigs become friends. The wolf, thankful for the pigs’ generosity, is never bad again.
Children between the ages of two and five will be delighted to read this book again and again. The bright colors used in Teague’s illustrations make the book feel fun and friendly. His illustrations have appeared in other children’s books, like the bestselling How Do Dinosaurs…? series. Other children’s books from Teague include Firehouse! and Funny Farm.
Reviewed by Sophie Sestero
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