Scienzka, Jon. 1996. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Ill. By Lane Smith. New York. NY. Puffin Books. ISBN 0140544518
Plot Summary
Alexander T. Wolf has been sent to jail and is trying to set the story straight as to why he has now become the Big Bad Wolf. He states that he needed sugar to make his poor old grandmother a cake for her birthday. He has 3 pigs as neighbors, so naturally he goes to ask them. Unfortunately, he his cold made him sneeze after the pigs refused to give him a cup of sugar. His sneezes were so strong that he knocked down two poorly constructed houses. Death came with the destruction of the houses. He doesn’t like to let food go to waste, so he had to eat the pigs. So lastly, he comes to the 3rd pig, it just so happens he lives in a brick home. Again, he is refused a cup of sugar and does admit however, that he only pounded on his door because the pig made unpleasant remarks about his grandmother. By the time he realizes, he is surrounded by police officers and reporters and is taken to jail. The 3rd pig is alive and well, but his grandmother is left without a birthday cake. From behind bars he claims that the reporters obviously changed what truly happened.

Critical Analysis
This great weird funny picture book is mostly suitable for 1st through 3rd grade, although everyone should enjoy a different perspective on an old favorite. Jon, Scienzka who uses humor to try to encourage boys to read, gives the traditional version of the Three Little Pigs a twist. The story is told from the point of view of the wolf, Alexander T. Wolf, and is portrayed as a white color individual who is explaining his side of the events. Scienzka gives details of what Al, the Big Bad Wolf felt like, highlighting a great big misunderstanding and how he was framed. He leaves the reader with questions as to which version of the story is true. Moral of the story, don't believe everything you hear.As soon as you see the newspaper illustration on the cover of this book, the reader wants to read all about it. Lane Smith paints the wolf in every page as a sophisticated, well educated character. This kind individual wears high dollar a suit, an appealing sweater, a bow and a pair of reading glasses. Lane Smith’s detailing of the characters show clearly how innocent he is and through the 3rd pigs peephole we see how angry the pig looks as he is being asked for some sugar. He uses soft light and dark earth tones throughout the book as a clever way to make the reader feel they are reading an old newspaper.
I love the twist to this story, but the little ones, not so much. When the group of 1st graders heard that the wolf had eaten two of the pigs, they were horrified.
Review Excerpts
- Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award for Picture Book (1992)
- “Older kids (and adults) will find very funny.”—School Library Journal
- It was one of the "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal
- Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association named the book one of its "Teachers” Top 100 Books for Children.
- Caldecott Honor Award for illustrations
- ALA Notable Children’s Book
Connections
Extend your read aloud with this math activity by MathStories.comTM
http://www.mathstories.com/Book_17_3pigs_grades23.htm
Lane Smith wrote other weird funny books such as THE STINKY CHEESE MAN ANDOTHERSTUPID TALES and MADAM PRESIDENT. ISBN 067084487X

The Stinky Cheese Man is a favorite here in South Texas for High School Kids, they’ve acted out scenes from the stories to encourage reading at elementary schools.
Here’s another great book to show students yet another version of the Three Little Pigs with ironic characters and altered viewpoints:
· THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG by Eugene Trivizas ISBN 068981528X

Can’t leave out the Spanish version of this book:
· La Verdadera Historiade los TresCerditos ISBN 0142414476
· THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG by Eugene Trivizas ISBN 068981528X

Can’t leave out the Spanish version of this book:
· La Verdadera Historiade los TresCerditos ISBN 0142414476
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