The Three Little Pigs

The Three Little Pigs Retold and Illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Bibliography

Kellogg, Steven. 1997. The Three Little Pigs. Ill. by Steven Kellogg. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0-688-08732-9.

Summary

This is a hilarious spin on the classic tale of the three little pigs. Kellogg adds the element of the three pigs' mother, Serafina, and her dream of bringing delicious waffles to the world. As the family business takes off, Serafina retires to the Gulf of Pasta and leaves Pete, Percy and Prudence in charge of the business. Everything in the three pigs' life is running smoothly until a 'big bad wolf' named Tempesto declares he wants to eat the three pigs. WIth a twist, the wolf states, "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll flatten this dump!" Then the pigs receive help from a surprise character. This is a new twist to a classic that children and adults have loved for generations.

Critical Analysis

This book is a play off the original story of the Three Little Pigs with the same main characters. But in this story, names have been added and so has the pigs' mother as well as the storyline of having a family business. The main characters of the three pigs and the big bad wolf portray the traits of innocent and evil. The pigs were living a merry life until the 'big bad wolf' comes along and tries very hard to eat the pigs. Many of the pages are filled with Tempesto's attempts to get the pigs. Kellogg throws a twist in and has Serafina aka Momma Pig come to the rescue. As always, good triumps over evil and Tempesto declares, "I surrender!".

Kellogg uses colored inks, watercolors, and acrylics to illustrate this classic story. Each page is full of illustrations to help the reader become involved in the story. Looking carefully through each page, one can find the author's humor in the details of the drawings. Instead of a display of a piggy bank, there is 'A Peopley Bank'. There is a page of the 'pigrims' and the pigs rehearsing for 'Hamlet and La Toasta'.
Review Excerpts

Volunteer State Book Award 2000

School Library Journal- "Kellogg's usual busy, highly defined illustrations complement the humorous, clever text."

Kirkus Reviews- "A talent-strewn retelling that only enhances the original."

Connections

• Read variations of the story such as:
• The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas.
• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
• The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
• Compare and contrast the stories.