(Bookcover compliments of Titlewave.com)
Bibliography
Kellogg, Steven. The Three Little Pigs. Illustrated by Steven Kellogg. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0688087310
Plot summary
In this re-telling of the classic tale, Serafina Sow, returns home from retirement to help her three children working in the family waffle-making business as they seek to defend themselves from a wicked wolf who wants to eat more than waffles.
Critical Analysis
Kellogg’s rollicking tale spans the whimsical settings of quaint hamlets in the countryside, Hog Hollow Academy, and the Gulf of Pasta where animals go to mellow and retire. Serafina Sow’s strong-work ethic and dreams of spreading waffles world-wide are passed on to her good little pig children Percy, Pete, and Prudence who build their own three homes and begin to make their way in the waffle-making business world while mom retires to the Gulf. Conflict emerges when Tempesto the Wolf wants more than waffles for breakfast: “Howdy, Ham. Howdy, Bacon. Howdy, Sausage…Butter yourselves and hop on the griddle.” In a satisfying resolution to the growing conflict, Serafina returns to help her children make a “Wolffle” of the Wolf. An uncomplicated, but highly humorous tale with messages of family loyalty, the good prevail and the bad get reformed.
Kellogg’s distinctive ink, watercolor, and acrylic drawings will entertain readers of all ages. Sophisticated, humorous features embedded in every scene beg to be enjoyed. Kellogg’s word plays and lively sketches drip with his trademark busy details that add hilarity to the story and depth to the characters. From Tempesto the Wolf’s leather-jacket-thug-attire to decorations on the pigs' mantle (a “Peopley” bank), Kellogg’s witty touches will be enjoyed in repeated readings. My own children count Kellogg as one of their favorite children’s book illustrators and have spent happy hours discovering the minute details in his humorous artwork.
Reviews and Honors
· Publisher’s Weekly excerpt: “… this classic caper has more twists than are found in the average pig's tail."
· Booklist excerpt: “Just as Serafina's customers flock to The Wheeled Wafflery, so children will greet Kellogg's latest picture book with eagerness based on memories of his many satisfying books. Pure pleasure for Kellogg fans.”
· Elementary School Library Collection 06/01/00
· Kirkus Review 07/01/97
· Publishers Weekly 06/09/97
· School Library Journal starred 9/01/97
· Wilson's Children 10/01/10
Connections
· For older readers: Create a twisted fairy-tale unit allowing students to locate an original and at least two other versions of the same tale. For example, the original Three Little Pigs can be paired with Kellogg’s version as well as Jon Scieszka’s The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Arrange for students to be paired as reading buddies with younger readers (1st-3rd grades) to share the originals and twists.
· Engage students and teachers in a Steven Kellogg Book Challenge to read as many of his books as possible in a month. Culminate the event in a Story-Telling Festival of some of Kellogg’s most loved books: Chicken Little, Paul Bunyan, Mike Fink, the Pinkerton series, The Island of Skog, and others.
· For young readers: After reading the story, let the students help make and eat homemade waffles in the library.
· Have students create their own versions of The Three Little Pigs story, write scripts, and perform as readers' theater productions with simple props and costumes. Older elementary and middle school students can schedule “performances” for younger students.
