The Three Little Pigs

by Barry Moser

A humorous retelling of the classic story recounts the fatal episodes in the lives of two foolish pigs and how the third pig managed to avoid the same fate. 10,000 first printing.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Animals, Fiction, Folklore

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Barry Moser (born 1940) is a renowned artist, most famous as a printmaker and illustrator of numerous works of literature.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of the version where the wolf eats the first two pigs but the third pig eats the wolf because then it's like the third pig is eating his brothers. I know it is probably not like that but to me it is. This book is one of those.

[Erin R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This traditional story stays true to its roots. Three pigs set out one day to make their way in the world, but two are not so wise in their choice of building materials for their new homes. One builds out of straw and the other sticks, which a hungry wolf quickly blows down and the two pigs are gobbled up. The wise pig who built his home out of sturdy brick is safe from the wolf and spends the rest of the story outsmarting him. In the end, the wolf resorts to climbing down the pig’s chimney, only to fall into a waiting pot of soup. The pig eats the “wolf soup” and lives happily ever after, free of pestering wolves.

This is a piece of traditional literature because of the one-dimensional characters, little introduction to the plot, repetitive structure, and immediate ending after the conflict is resolved. It may be used in the classroom to promote decoding skills because of its repetitive nature. The teacher could read the story aloud to kindergarten or first grade students and then allow them to reread it alone or in partners. This story could also be used effectively using the Language Experience Approach.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THAT'S more like it! Too many 3 Little Pigs versions are ridiculously sanitized for the children's so-called sensitivities. Not here: the pigs look like pink psychopaths, and I actually felt bad for the wolf's looming doom. The artwork is lovingly detailed: the page where the wolf has obviously enjoyed BBQ pork includes paper towels, a bottle of hot sauce... and a bucket of bones! The story also follows the traditional tale accurately. I liked!

[Marissa]

This was a simply book that i loved when i was little and kinda still do.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a traditional story but with a twist. A hungry wolf comes upon three little pigs, each with his own house. The wolf successfully gets to the first two pigs who did not have solidly built homes. The third pig however has a house made from wolf resistant bricks. The wolf fails to get to the third pig, and instead, is bested by the pig and become his dinner. I had not read a version where two of the pigs get consumed by the wolf, and I am not too sure I liked this telling better than the others where all three pigs survive and the wolf gets scared away. It was nice that the death of the pigs and the wolf were not made too dramatic, as they were both handled kind of off stage so to speak. I’m not sure this version would be great for younger readers. The water colored pictures are fun to look at and handle the deaths very cleanly.

[Zoey Shearer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Barry Moser's adaptation of "The Three Little Pigs," the story features three pigs who each build houses from straw, sticks, and bricks to protect themselves from the Big Bad Wolf. The third pig's strong brick house ultimately saves them all. This book is great for grades K-2 and can be used in the classroom to teach themes like perseverance and problem-solving. After reading, students can build their own houses with different materials, discussing which designs are strongest and why. You could also just use it as a book in the classroom library!

[Trent Escue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retelling of the classic three little pig story with a little bit darker retelling than maybe most are used to. About 3 little pigs who build three separate houses one of straw one of wood and one of brick. Then the big bad wolf comes across the pig and exposes which houses will keep the pigs safe and which ones won’t. Also the book had great illustrations! A fun activity could be a three little pig sequence chart. Just basically a simple way of retelling and remembering the story by showing it on paper and cut outs that you can color and design on a printable worksheet.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Staying true to the original story (similar to Paul Galdone's version) this one has the wolf eating the first two pigs and the third pig eating him. The pictures are also true to the story (the pigs look a little mad and the wolf hilariously uses hot sauce when eating the second pig). But, it's too much for my little preschoolers to really get so I won't be using it for story time. I think it would be a lot of fun with an older crowd!

[Shanice Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading this story because it was not the version that I expected. As I child this was one of my favorite folktales. My favorite character was the wolf. This is a nice update to an old classic!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have another version I like better.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students were quite startled by this version!

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pigs and wolves are eaten in this version of the story. Turnips, apples, the butter churn...it's all there.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moser retells and expands the Three Little Pigs story, not shying away from the violence of the original tale, but keeping it light with humorous illustrations.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retelling of the folk tale of the three little pigs that will leave the reader with a different look on how to survive in the world.

[Kristina Charnecki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature Picture Book

The three little pigs and wolf are at it again! The wolf is hungry and has a craving for pork. This classic story is taken one step further by the author. The wolf is taken for a ride by the smartest pig of them all. Will the wolf ever learn his lesson?

a.) An area for critique for this book is the author’s style in creating a fractured fairy tale.
b.) I understand the goal of this book, which is to create a twist on a classic tale of the three little pigs. However, there was nothing about the book that was significantly special. It was a little too similar to the classic tale for it to even be considered a fractured fairy tale. The author did include extra aspects of the book, but again, there was nothing special about these inclusions. It was a good book to read to young children, but overall, the experience was lack luster and forgettable.
c.) The only addition to this story to differentiate it from the classic tale is the extra examples of how the “smartest pig” outsmarted the wolf. Every time the wolf would try to trick him, the pig just used his wits to out-trick the wolf. One example is when the wolf invited the pig to go pick apples at 5, but the pig left at four and was gone before the wolf even made it to the tree (pgs. 17-18).

Curriculum Connection: I think this book could be used as a great compare/contrast activity with all of the other numerous versions of The Three Little Pigs. Students can read all of these different versions, pick their two favorites, and then create a Venn diagram with the differences and similarities of both stories concentrating on the aspects of the books like plot, characters, motivation, ending, etc. I think it is important for children to experience different versions of these classic tales because it lets children’s imaginations grow.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Traditional Literature
2. This is the classic tale of the three little pigs that all left their mother’s house going in different directions to build their life and home. Two of the pigs are gobbled up by the big, bad wolf. While the third pig outsmarts him and gets to have wolf stew for dinner.
3. Critique
a. Originality
b. This is always a children’s favorite. The use of repetition is great for the kid’s to interact during the read-aloud. I enjoyed the author making it his own by delving more into the pig tricking the wolf several times. This adds comedy for the children and a better sense of the intellect the pig possesses. The book also has an important underlying moral. You need a strong exterior and clever inner wit to be a successful citizen in society. The added details of the third pig and the detail in the pictures gave a fresh take on a classic story.
c. Specifically, when the wolf and pig plan to meet each day and the pig shows up an hour early to trick the wolf is a perfect example of showcasing the pig’s wits. He not only gets his turnips, apples, and items from the fair but he angers the pig and isn’t eaten. Although, there is a fine line between outsmarting the wolf and letting greed take over. The pig almost got too comfortable at one point in the story and was almost captured by the wolf. This would be a great event to discuss further with the students.
4. Students can read all various versions of the traditional three pigs story, and complete different tasks that allow them to compare and contrast the stories. Students can separate into groups and each performs a different version of the story based on the book. This can lead into an economics unit on making choices and opportunity cost.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Picture book

Summary: Moser expands upon the original little pig story through a few new storylines and creative illustrations. He also adds craftiness to the third pig’s qualities. The first two pigs unfortunately are eaten, but through wit and quick thinking, the third pig outsmarts the wolf and ends up eating wolf stew for dinner.
Literary Critique: (a.) The illustrations add details to a classic story
(b.) Moser adds new modern touches to The Three Little Pigs story with the use of creative, humorous details in the illustrations.
(c.) On page one, Big Mama Pig is resplendent in a bright, tacky heart-dotted apron. The text reveals that it is Valentine’s Day; immediately, we sense this is going to be a newer version of the three little pigs. Each page contains small illustrative details that contribute to our new understanding. After the wolf eats the second pig, there is a two page spread showing him lying down, belly extended and full, wiping his mouth with a napkin. In the foreground are two empty jars. One is "Bubba’s No Cook BBQ Sauce"; the other is “PIGA Pepper Sauce” with a “Caution!” sign. Off to the side of the wolf is a tin bucket filled with empty bones and a roll of paper towels for wiping his paws (p. 11, 12), all common items found in a BBQ joint! On the final two pages the third pig is scarfing down his wolf stew resplendent in wolf head slippers. On the floor next to the hearth is Harley Rhode Hogg’s Wolf Cook Book and a wooden recipe box with “My Mama’s Wolf Stew with Garlic” recipe peeking out.

Curriculum Connection: With young children students can compare two or three “Three Little Pig” Tales and make Venn diagram charts. Older children could write their own versions with modern details.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature
Summary: Barry Moser retells the classic story, The Three Little Pigs with a twist. This story is not for the faint of heart, as the wolf starts out winning against the two little pigs, until he finds himself outwitted by the third.

Critique:
a. The watercolor pictures and how they depict the story.
b. Moser uses beautiful watercolor illustrations with light colors that give movement to the pictures. I loved this twist on the classic story, but the illustrations bring sly humor to the already funny story. Moser uses other elements, such as shape to draw our eye to the major focus. On many of the pages, the illustrations are on top, with the words below. This allows the reader to focus on the important details that Moser wants us to see.
c. After gobbling up the second little pig, on page 12, the wolf is laying on his back wiping his mouth with an empty bottle of hot sauce next to him. I found the illustrations actually made me laugh out loud as I was reading. Not only does this book provide a twist, it provides humorous illustrations that students will have a great time laughing with.

Curriculum Connection: If I were to use this book in a classroom, it would have to be an older class. While I found this take on the classic story to be humorous, it might scare younger children. It doesn’t have a clear theme or message that I would want students to learn so this book would be just an option for students to read for fun.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature; Picture Book

Summary: This is "The Three Little Pigs" with a twist, as the story is updated to reach today's society of students.

A. The author uses his illustrations to portray new pieces to and old tale.

B. The author and illustrator Barry Moser takes the traditional story of "The Three Little Pigs" and adds details to make the story more interesting and fresh. Some students may have read the tale of "The Three Little Pigs" and know that the wolf eats the pigs, however in this tale the wolf is outsmarted by the third little pig. I think this is a great idea by the author because he is enabled to illustrate new and interesting pictures to draw in the reader.

C. The author shows a different side to the "poor little" pig, when he shows on page thirteen that the pig is eating "My mama's wolf stew with garlic". The illustrator is able to show the reader this with the addition of a cook book with that quote labeled on it.

Curriculum Connection: The teacher could look at different tales of "The Three Little Pigs" and have the students compare and contrast the various versions.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

From January through March 2014, my preschool classroom engaged in a fractured fairytale unit as a unifying theme for our larger multidisciplinary curriculum. Engaging both traditional and fractured versions of the three little pigs story allowed our classroom community to explore ideas of character voice and perspective, engage in our own construction work (with Lincoln Logs, miniature bricks, unit blocks, clay, etc.), write stories individually and collaboratively, perform Readers' Theatre, and so on.

We formally engaged ten versions of the tale of the three little pigs (as well as having several others available in the classroom for informal readings). This version was our third in the series and while it stuck to the original tale, it began demonstrate what it looks like as a storyteller (oral or visual) to personalize and own the story. This was one of my favorite versions of the tale.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was the traditional three little pigs story. The pigs leave their mothers house and start lives of their own. The three little pigs all went different ways and had to create their own shelter. One pig made a house of straw, one made their house of sticks, and the other made its house out of bricks. The big bad wolf tried to break down all the houses and succeeded until he reached the last pigs house that was made of brick, then the pig flipped things around and began out smarting the wolf at every trick he had up his sleeve. This story would be great for children because it is a familiar story they can enjoy. It did have a little bit different ending which was a pleasant surprise. The language was simple therefore I would recommend it to beginning readers. They will enjoy both being able to read the book and the story.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published: 2001, Little Brown & Company
Age: 4-8

A fractured fairy tale that is really gruesome. It's Valentine's Day for some reason when mama pig decides her pigs must go out into the world. The wolf is huge and it eats up the first 2 pigs. He is satiated next to a bottle of Piga pepper sauce, Bubba's bbq sauce, paper towels and a bucket of bones. The third pig tricks the wolf 3 times before he climbs down the chimney and into the pot of boiling water. The 3rd pig is shown with a deranged expression on his face as he sits eating wolf stew wearing wolf head slippers. Older boys would probably like some of the funny details such as the Huffin and Puffin Churn Company, See Rock City, and other touches.

[Erica Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Three Little Pigs is a classical children's book. This book explores different ways in which three little pigs set out to build their own houses when the Momma pig has sent them off. This book draws the imagination and creativity of young children to try and follow the way these pigs attempt to build houses. Of course we all know houses cannot be built from straw or sticks, children use their imagination to picture a straw or stick house. In this book the pigs and wolf have been given the ability to talk which, is another form of escaping reality. Young children ages 3 -7 would enjoy this book. The ability for children to explore their imagination in the three little pigs is drawn out which each action a pig takes and the actions the wolf takes.

[Lindsey Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of three little pigs that had to leave their mothers house and start lives of their own. The three little pigs all went different ways and had to create their own shelter and ways of living. One pig made a house of straw, one made their house of sticks, and the other made its house out of bricks. The big bad wolf tried to break down all the houses and succeeded until he reached the last pigs house that was made of brick, then the pig flipped things around and began out smarting the wolf at every trick he had up his sleeve. This book was a different twist on the traditional tale. The ending was really unique by having the pigs begin to pull tricks on the wolf. This story is a trickster tale because it has characters that are ticking and fooling the others.

[Susan Menk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tags: fairy tale, pigs, traditional, humor, watercolor, picture book, folk lore

Humorous retelling of the traditional tale of the three pigs. Humor is found in the illustrations, not in the text. Pigs and wolf have human gestures and characteristics.

Illustrations are watercolor with text along bottom of page and lots of white space used to keep focus on story. Great details in illustrations are aimed at adults. No notes on sources or citations as to what sources he used for the story.

"The Three Little Pigs," retold and illstrated by Barry Moser, Little, Brown and Company: New York, 2001.

[Paul Hardin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a classic tale that can be used to try and expand on children's imagination. Three little pigs build houses and a wolf tries to come to their houses and eat them. The witty pigs go into the 3rd pigs house which is made out of bricks to outsmart the wolf. The wolf gets frustrated and gives up trying to eat the pigs. I would use this book in a classroom by reading it aloud and then asking the children what they would make their house out of so the wolf wouldnt get into their house. This would help expand on their imagination. This would all be part of a unit about fairy tales, we would write our own version of the story at the end of the unit.

[Michelle Henry]

This traditional tale of the three little pigs, emphasizes classic children literature with modern illustrations. This tale of three pigs who break away from living with their mother try to tackle life in their own. One pig builds a house out of straw, another builds one out of sticks, and the third pig builds his house out of brick. Suddenly a wolf enters the scene and knocking down the house of straw and sticks, all three pigs take shelter in the house of brick. When the tables are turned, the wolf is in for a surprise.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three little pigs: this book starts out when the three little pigs set off on their own; the three little pigs build houses but the big bad wolfe tries to blow down their houses and eat them. But the two little pigs brothers house saves them because it’s a brick house and not a house made out of sticks or hay/straw. The illustrations in this book were great; and I would recommend this book to fairytale lovers. And also to people who love to read classic books like this one.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This verison of The Three Little Pigs is retold and illustrated by Barry Moser. The story differs from what I remember in that the first two brothers get eaten by the Big Bad Wolf. The story also has some extended scenes with the third brother and the wolf. In the end, the pig with the brick house still ends up outsmarting the wolf. The illustrations are realistic and the characters show a lot of expression.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story we all know, with a few little twists. The Three Little Pigs by Barry Moser is full of humorous, colorful watercolor illustrations. The expressions on the pigs' faces are sure to bring a giggle to every child.

Used for "Cheep, Oink, and Moo: Chicken, Pork, and Beef" Storytime-April, 2010.