Module 6: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Book Summary 

This story is the true story of the fairy tale of the three little pigs. It follows the wolf as he tells the story from his point of view. The wolf just wanted to borrow a cup of sugar and happened to be ill. As he went door to door to ask the pigs for sugar, he ended up sneezing and blowing their houses down. The story paints the wolf as completely innocent and the events of the story as accidental.

Citation 

Scieszka, J. (1989). The true story of the three little pigs. New York, NY: Puffin Books. 

My Impressions

I have loved this book ever since I was a young child. It is one of my favorites. I love the creative nature and the retelling of a familiar story. It makes you think about it and shows how a different perspective of the same story can completely change the events.

Review Excerpts

Peters, J. (1989). The true story of the three little pigs (book). School Library Journal, 35(14), 108.
"It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny"

Rockman, C. (2008). The true story of the 3 little pigs. Booklist, 105(8), 59.

"Adding an occasional chuckle at appropriate moments, Giamatti creates a full-bodied characterization of Alexander T. Wolf as he tells his side of the story, making  the case that he was framed."  (This is for the audiobook)

Suggestions for Use in a Library

I would create a contest for classes in my school. Each class would be assigned a familiar fairy tale and would be asked to retell the story from a different perspective. It would be a requirement that the events of the story do not change, but that the perspective would have the events retold in a way that changes the minds of those reading it and makes them think.