The Three Swingin' Pigs

by Vicky Rubin, Rhode Montijo (Illustrator)

Can three jazzy pigs outfox a hungry wolf?

Satch, Mo, and Ella are the coolest cats--er, pigs--around. Satch
plays sax. Mo plays bass. And Ella sings scat-scooby-dooby, skit-scat-
skedoodle, shoooo!
When Wolfie shows up for the Big Pig Gig, ready to eat some barbecue, the jazzy trio smells trouble. Can these three swingin' pigs win Wolfie over with their vivacious vocals and toe-tapping tunes?
With cool-cat scats by Vicky Rubin and jazzy illustrations by talented new artist Rhode Montijo, this book will have readers dancin' up a storm.

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Childrens, Fiction, Fractured Fairy Tales, Folklore

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 2007

Reviews

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Once and only once there were three pigs who kept perfect rhythm.” So begins this jazzy retelling of the classic three pigs story. The three pigs, Satch, Mo, and Ella, were the members of a jazz trio that perform to sold-out audiences. There was also a wolf, “the baddest cat to walk the land,” who is set on catching the pigs and eating them for dinner. Wolfie was badly burned by the pigs’ uncles when he tried to huff and puff their houses down and he just won’t let it go. When the wolf finally catches up with the pigs during a performance the pigs turn the tables on the wolf by asking him to sing. He realizes if he eats the pigs he won’t be able to make sweet music with the band. The band becomes known as 3 Swingin’ Pigs and Wolfie.

This fractured fairytale parodies the classic Three Pigs story while at the same time celebrating and paying tribute to the world of jazz. The swinging text is full of fun slang words, “Daddy-O,” and a phrase of scatting that is repeated throughout the story. Even the names of the pigs tip their hats to jazz greats Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The big bad wolf is determined to eat the three little pigs as they are playing a jazz concert. But when he arrives, his feet start tapping and his claws start snapping. As he heads toward the stage to gulp them down, the pig Ella invites him onto the stage to sing along. This version incorporates in a unique way the huffing and puffing and some of the other traits of the original...clever and fun.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great twist on the classic fairy tale story. We don't like the word 'stupid' at our house, especially in a children's book, and it was said once. Other than that we enjoyed the words, characters and especially the three little swingin' pigs!

[Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had great wordplay and was a fun readaloud because of the rhythm of the text. I really like the illustrations too, they were unusual and worked great with the story.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the book needed to jazz up my day. You may find the contagious creativity and spunk light your day up too, fellow Goodreaders.

To give you a sense of the scene:

The Three Swingin' Pigs performed in roadside dives
no bigger than a trough
and dance halls huge enough
to hold a herd of cattle.
And wherever they played, audiences went wild.

Just wait until you read how these invincible, good-hearted, musicians wind up transforming the villain. Known as "Wolfie, the Biggest, Baaaaaaaadest, Howin' Wolf in the land!"

FIVE STARS and a smile.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like it it hade a lot of pageis i think its a fun book

[Private Account · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book teaches:

-The proper response to someone threatening to kill you is extreme kindness--but to manipulate them, not out of compassion
-Bad breath will make you unpopular and the solution is not to brush you teeth, but to eat mint candy!
-A good reason to not kill pigs is that if you do, you won't be able to use them anymore for musical fame.
-One should always repress unpleasant feelings and be "cool"
-Happiness is when other people like you

So… the above life lessons aside, this was a very fun and creative version

[Tiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Three Little Pigs with a twist of jazz. The wolf is after the three pigs again, the nephews and niece of the original pigs who sent the wolf howling in the original. A cute remake with lots of new vocabulary to teach students. A great chance to use for comparing/contrasting activities as well as get students curious about jazz music.

[Samantha Penrose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had great illustrations, but the story just didn't do it for us.
I have read several variations on the three little pigs story (old versions, new versions, a dinosaur themed version, even a construction equipment themed version)...this version was just not the best.

[Amanda Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute and creative extension to the story of the three little pigs. These are the next generation pigs with the same big bad wolf. Except, this time, the pigs are blues musicians. The wolf plans to eat them, but discovers he would rather play music with them.

[Jennifer Oaks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a continuation of the story about the three pigs and the wolf. Three pigs are in a band and they convince the wolf to join it in order to save their lives. I like how the pigs are smart enough top get themselves out of a bad situation.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The wolf with bad breath and no friends, seeks revenge on the 3 pigs (niece & nephews of the originals) and show up at their jazz concert. But when called up on stage to sing (& given a breath mint) he finds he doesn't want revenge anymore.

[Lamar Daniel]

This book reminded me about the three pigs and big bad wolf. This story was funny when describing the wolf breath. The difference is these three pigs were singing and the wolf didn't kill them. I never saw this side of the wolf. The students will act in a drama scene

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny! Really could hear the music in the words. I liked the jazz names.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The offspring of the original pigs are back, and the wolf is still on their trail.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequelish, swing club, happy ending