The Three Little Pigs
By: James Marshall
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
ISBN: 0-448-42288-3
Fairy tales/folktales are ancient stories and poems that are from word of mouth before it’s written down and it has been around for thousands of years. Similar traditional tales are told around the world. I was curious about the different cultures that used the tales of The Three Little Pigs, so I decided to look for some information. I found out that in Italy, England, and Africa they have the same tales but with different characters. In Italy the title of the book is The Three Goslings. In England it’s The Fox and the Geese, and in Africa it’s The Awful Fate of Mr. Wolf.
The fairy tale (Nursery Rhymes) book The Three Little Pigs was first published by an English man name James Halliwll-Phillipps in 1842. He was born in Chelsea, London. The version I read is retold and illustrated by James Marshall. The illustration in the book was great. It’s very colorful, goofy, and it has good picture to text match (complimentary illustrations). The expanded characterizations in the book are charming and fun. The dialogue is great.
The Three Little Pigs is a fairy tale featuring talking animals which means the book is a fable tale. Fables are simple stories that incorporate character, typically animals, whose actions teach a moral or lesson or universal truth. There is a good lesson behind the story because it teaches children hard work pays off. The story talks about three little pigs building a house. The first pig builds a house with straw. The second pig builds a house with sticks. They were both unsuccessful because the lean and hungry wolf was able to huff and puff and blew the house in. The first two pigs didn’t use strong materials or take their time building their house. On the other hand the third pig used bricks and took his time building his house. Therefore he outsmarts the wolf. But the wolf still feels that he is smarter than the third pig. The wolf decides to climb onto the roof and find his way into the house using the chimney but once again the third pig outsmarts him. The third pig end up having the wolf for dinner and survives a wolf’s attack by using his head and planning well. I would use this book in my classroom. It’s such a fun and amazing book. The book is full of color and the characters are so detailed. I remember hearing the story for the first time. I loved the story because the characters are farm animals and they know how to talk.
Lian, I thought this was a perfect choice and I am so happy someone chose to do this story of "Three Little Pigs" by James Marshall. You explained the type of story it is as far as it being a fairy tale, as well as the moral of the story too which was a perfect explanation.
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that this story teaches our young ones all about working hard enough and getting what you want in the end. I also see that determination too gets you what you want in the end like the three pigs wanted.
I find it freaky when the classic fairy tales are changed depending on what country and cultures they follow to be honest. It's hard when you grow up knowing one and it can be quite disturbing when you read the varied version from another country.
I also like the fact that you remember and appreciate this book now as you did when you were a child. It is amazing to have a love for a book when you are a child, and as an adult, you still find that same passion and love you had when you were a kid! This was a great choice and I am so happy it was pointed out!