The Three Little Pigs by Leslie L. Brooke

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brooke, L.Leslie , 1904.The Three Pigs. Frederick Warne & Co. – United Kingdom, United States

PLOT SUMMARY
In this well known children’s story three little pigs are sent out to live on their own as their mother does not have enough food to feed them. So the three little pigs set out to seek their fortune. Each of the little pigs  build house made of different materials. A big, bad wolf blows down the house of the first two little pigs but cannot blow down the house of the third little pig as his house is made of bricks. After trying to outsmart the little pig several ways the wolf is outwitted by the pig. The wolf becomes angered by the pigs cleverness and decides to climb into the pigs chimney where the pig awaits the wolf with a cauldron of boiling water. The wolf falls into the boiling cauldron and the proceeds to cook and eat the wolf.

 CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting is in no particular place but if I were to ask one of my students they would say “outdoors and inside the pig with the brick house”.
The theme is of deception where the pig deceives the wolf. It shows how evil does not always avail and that good conquers all. This tale features anthromorphic animals. I believe that the wolf represents evil as a wolf is cunning and is always looking for a victim. The pig on the other hand, represents the innocence of those who cannot take care of themselves(children) and through persistence and determination one is able to achieve happiness. This tale has repetition when it states,” Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin”. People refer to this  proverbial phrase at times or when needed. I find only reading this phrase once to my students and they will remember when asked to repeat it on their own and showing any of the words. Students find joy in reading it out loud with intonation.
I have read several themes of the three little pigs and find that the illustrations on some represent the pigs more in human form. They are clothed however, the original stories show the pigs in their natural form. Meaning as a society we value now how we look and not necessarily about the true meaning and innocence of the story.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Reviewer – Chamira Country – United States Age – 9 Languages Spoken – English

Chamira

How does this book make you feel?
Funny

How would you rate this book?
4 stars

CONNECTIONS
*Reader's Theatre- Fractured fairy tales on The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.
Students will perform a play.
*Mini unit: http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/writing_notebooks.html