Bibliography:
Hooks, William. 1989. The Three Little Pigs and the Fox. Ill. by S.D. Schindler. New York: Macmillan. ISBN: 0027444317.
Summary:
Mama Pig and her three piglets are living in a holler in the Appalachian Mountains. The two older boys eat all the time, and they get too fat to live at home. One by one, Mama sends them out to seek their fortune, telling them to watch out for the fox, build a strong house, and come visit on Sundays. These not-too-bright boys get caught by the fox, and like Hansel and Gretel, they are locked up to be eaten another day. But their little sister builds a stone house, outsmarts the fox, and rescues them.
Analysis:
This is a clever rendition of the well-known story. The author compiled several oral versions he heard in the Appalachians, and added his own details as well. Local color is provided by the food – hoecakes, dumplings, sweet potato pone – and by the language. The wolf in the traditional story is replaced by “that mean, tricky old drooly-mouth fox.” The ending is happy, since the fox floats downstream in a butter churn and all the pigs go home and visit Mama on Sunday. Large watercolor illustrations show scenery, action, and wonderfully rendered facial expressions.
Reviews/Awards:
An ALA Notable Children’s Book
“The Three Little Pigs retains some of the traditional material but also offers some very funny variations. The illustrations are large and simple; an excellent version for storytelling.”
Horn Book
“The telling here is lively and humorous, with amusing dialogue and details that will make this a good storytelling alternative. Schindler suggests the beauty of the mountain setting while deriving considerable humor from the older pigs' gluttonous self-indulgence and the fox's sly greed.”
Kirkus Book Reviews
Connections:
*Read several versions of the Three Little Pigs and discuss similarities and differences. Have children choose their favorite and say why.
*Read other Appalachian stories. For ideas, see Appalachian Picture Books
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