Children's books and book reviews - reading resource for kids, teachers, librarians, parents





*The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs* by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith - buy it online

 
Also written and/or illustrated by Lane Smith:

Princess Hyacinth (The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated)

The Big Elephant in the Room

Big Plans

Madam President

 
Also by Jon Scieszka:

The Great Truck Rescue (Jon Scieszka's Trucktown)
 
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
Ages 4-8 32 pages Puffin Books August 2003 Paperback Recommended at 5 stars of 5   

To think that all this time we've gotten it wrong! In the very words of Alfred T. Wolf, he has suffered for years under the misnomer "Big, Bad", when the truth is that the whole brouhaha is the result of a borrowed cup of sugar and a few random sneezes (sounds like the allergy alibi to me).

"Nobody knows the real story,
because nobody has ever heard
my side of the story."

May it please the court, Mr. Wolf is only guilty of trying to borrow a cup of sugar in good faith, caught in exigent circumstances beyond his control. That the first neighbor's house (Pig #1) is made of straw only occasions a fit of sneezing, leading to the pigs demise, followed by an equally unfortunate visit to Pig #2, with similar results. And still no cup of sugar! By the time the intrepid Wolf approaches Pig #3, the allergy excuse has worn thin and a fit of temper lands A.T. Wolf behind bars. True to form, the press makes a mountain out of a molehill, blowing the whole story out of proportion in an effort to garner ratings. Hence, the slanderous name of Big, Bad Wolf!

"That's it.
The real story. I was framed."

This imaginative perspective on a familiar fairy tale is a delight to read, if a bit self-aggrandizing, the inimitable illustrations of Lane Smith making the case for one very misguided lupine willing to go to any lengths for a little free press. You be the judge.
 


click here to browse children's board book reviews
click here to browse children's picture book reviews
click here to browse young readers book reviews
click here to browse young readers book reviews
click here to browse young adult book reviews
click here to browse parenting book reviews
 
web reviews
  Luan Gaines/2005 for curled up with a good kid's book  






For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews,
visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)