The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
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By: Eugene Trivizas
When it comes time for the three little wolves to go out into the world and build themselves a house, their mother warns them to beware the big bad pig. But the little wolves' increasingly sturdy dwellings are no match for the persistent porker, who has more up his sleeve than huffing and puffing. It takes a chance encounter with a flamingo pushing a wheelbarrow full of flowers to provide a surprising and satisfying solution to the little wolves' housing crisis. Eugene Trivizas's hilarious text and Helen Oxenbury's enchanting watercolors have made this delightfully skewed version of the traditional tale a contemporary classic.
AI Overview
Title: "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig" by Eugene Trivizas
Plot Summary: The story is a fractured fairy tale that subverts the traditional "Three Little Pigs" narrative. Three anthropomorphic wolves, trying to evade a big bad pig, build four houses using different materials: bricks, concrete, steel, and flowers. The big bad pig attempts to destroy each house using increasingly destructive methods: a sledgehammer for the brick house, a pneumatic drill for the concrete house, and dynamite for the steel house. However, when the pig tries to blow down the flower house, he is overwhelmed by the fragrance of the flowers and has a change of heart. The pig becomes friendly and the wolves and the pig live happily ever after as friends.
Key Themes:
- Friendship and Understanding: The story highlights the transformative power of friendship and understanding. The big bad pig's change of heart after smelling the flowers shows that even the most seemingly antagonistic characters can become friends.
- Creativity and Resourcefulness: The wolves' creative solutions to building their houses, especially the flower house, demonstrate their resourcefulness and ability to think outside the box.
- Non-Violent Conflict Resolution: The story promotes non-violent conflict resolution by showing that violence is not the only solution to problems. The pigs' destructive methods fail until they find a peaceful resolution.
Critical Reception:
- Illustrations: Helen Oxenbury's watercolor illustrations are highly praised for their whimsical and humorous style, perfectly complementing Eugene Trivizas's text.
- Reception: The book has been well-received for its subversive take on the classic tale, offering a fresh and engaging read for children. It is recommended for children aged 5 and up, who will enjoy the hilarious and clever storytelling.
- Publication History: The book has been published in various formats, including hardcover and softcover editions, with multiple reprints since its initial publication in 1993.
Audience and Educational Value: The story is suitable for children due to its repetitive structure and language, which aligns with Piaget’s "Preoperational" stage of development. It offers a great deal of repetition, making it engaging and easy to follow for young readers. The book also provides a great read-aloud experience, with its humorous and subversive take on the classic tale making it a delightful choice for parents and educators.