A Review of the Three Little Pigs

By Steven Kellogg

Note: This blog fulfills part of a course requirement at TWU.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kellogg, Steven. The Three Little Pigs. HarperCollins; Reprint edition (October 15, 2002). ISBN: 0064437795.

PLOT SUMMARY

Seraphina Sow was raising three young piglets named Percy, Pete and Prudence. She decided to make waffles for a living and bolted a waffle iron on wheels and installed a waffle-making system. She stocked it with waffle batter, butter, maple syrup, and powdered sugar. Every morning the family pushed Seraphina’s invention from village to village selling waffles with a long list of flavors including “baloney” and “bubblegum.” She made enough money to enroll her piglets at Hog Hollow Academy and the piglets did well “in the classroom, on the basketball court, and in the school plays.” When the piglets graduated, Seraphina decided to turn the business over to her family announcing, “I shall retire to the Gulf of Pasta.” Each of the pigs built houses near their business: Percy built a straw bungalow, Pete built a log cabin and Prudence built a brick house. Then Tempesto, the meanest wolf on the block, shows up and wants more than waffles, he wants to eat the three little pigs. Seraphina returns from her retirement to help the piglets defeat Tempesto. When the wolf comes down Prudence’s chimney, he falls on the waffle iron and is covered in maple syrup, smothered in butter, and turned into a “wolffle”. Finally, Tempesto is sent to the Gulf of Pasta in Seraphina’s place and spends his life as a beach bum.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This picture book is a modern retelling of the famous fairytale complete with Kellogg’s intricate, lively illustrations. Unlike the original fairytale, this story has a nonfatal ending for all the characters. This version features humorous dialogue in the text that is designed for 4 to 8 year-olds. For example, Tempesto wears a shirt that says “Say Yes to Thugs” and “Thugs Need Hugs Too.”Kellogg uses colored inks, watercolors, and acrylics to create his wonderful illustrations. I found it very appealing to young readers as Kellogg removes the fatalities and adds a humorous and positive ending, which is a refreshing change from the classic fairytale. He gives the pigs names, has them attend school and ultimately they run the family business. Nice wordplay is throughout the story.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist – “Kellogg takes a favorite folk tale and adds his own inventive touches of character, plot twists, and humor. Much of the broad humor is carried in the lively, colorful illustrations, though there's wordplay aplenty in the text and pictures too.”

Publishers Weekly - “Buoyant pictures and a pun-riddled text add gusto to Kellogg's light hearted humor.”

Kirkus Reviews – “Kellogg puts a master's spin on another familiar tale. A talent-strewn retelling that only enhances the original.”

CONNECTIONS

Read other Steven Kellogg books, such as:

·         Jack and the Beanstalk. Retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. ISBN: 0688152813

·         Paul Bunyan. Retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. ISBN: 0688058000

·         Johnny Appleseed. Retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. ISBN: 0688064175

And many others

Ø  This book could be used in a classroom where students compare and contrast different versions of the book