TRADITIONAL LITERATURE

The Three Horrid Little Pigs

 

 written and illustrated by Liz Pichon

Wilton, CT

2008

ISBN-13: 978-1-58925-077-2

SUMMARY

The Three Horrid Little Pigs by Liz Pichon is a tale about three little pigs who were so awful and mean their mother couldn’t stand to have them in her house any longer.  She told them to leave and find a way to take care of themselves.  Like the original tale, the first pig “built” his house of straw and the second pig “built” his of twigs, but the similarity ends there.  The third pig didn’t even bother to find building materials; he simply chased the chickens from the chicken coop and moved himself in. 

The wolf, who was a builder by trade, offered to help each of the pigs, but was treated quite rudely and told to stay away.  Because he was such a nice wolf, he felt sorry for the now homeless chickens and invited them to stay with him.

After the cows ate the house of straw, the birds took back the twigs, and the rooster chased the pig from the chicken coop, the three homeless pigs decided the wolf’s home would be perfect for them.  The friendly wolf heard them plotting and put on a huge pot of boiling water.  When the pigs made their way down the chimney into the wolf’s living room...he invited them to have soup!

The pigs stopped being lazy and learned to be great builders.  They helped the wolf build a house of bricks where they, the wolf and all the chickens lived happily ever after.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This version of the classic “The Three Little Pigs” follows the pattern of the original, but the characteristics of the the pigs and wolf are reversed.  The pigs are rude and obnoxious, while the wolf is friendly and industrious.

Based on the events and pictures, it is evident this story takes place in the country: there are cows, chickens, and a chicken coop, which indicate the story takes place on a farm.  The illustrations follow the text well and would help younger children interpret the story as they read along.

Culturally, these “horrid” pigs have the stereotypical characteristics of a rougher youth culture: a mohawk on one, the stocking cap on another, rude and lazy behavior, and caring only about themselves.  Some could be offended by the use of these stereotypes.

REVIEW EXCERPT

School Library Journal:  If you think you can't jam another twist on a classic tale into your collection, think again. Three pesky porcine protagonists are so bad that their mother kicks them out of the house. They are so lazy that they merely pile up sticks and straw for houses and one takes over a henhouse. The wolf is portrayed as a helpful handyman who offers to shore up their shoddy construction but is rebuffed each time. Rendered homeless by straw-eating cows, nesting birds who need sticks, and a pecking rooster who reclaims the henhouse, the homeless pigs get ready to head for the kindly wolf's abode. When he hears the pigs on the roof, he prepares a "big pot of boiling…soup" and invites them in. The tale ends with everyone living together happily ever after. The full-color cartoon illustrations capture the pigs' bad behavior and comeuppance with a goofy exuberance. The font size shrinks and enlarges to mirror the action and the text works as a fun read-aloud as well as a read-alone.

CONNECTIONS

Students choose another version or variant of The Three Little Pigs classic tale.  After reading both with a partner, they create a Venn diagram, comparing and contrasting the two stories.

This would be a great book to use when starting a discussion with children about manners and how to treat other people.

AWARDS

Red House Book Award - Short list (top 10) - chosen by children






Pichon, L. (2008). The three horrid little pigs. Wilton, CT: Tiger Tales.