The Three Little Pigs: A Zany Retelling About a Waffle-Making Family and a Hungry Wolf for Kids

by Steven Kellogg

Three little pigs are happily working away in their delicious family business -- making the best-tasting waffles in the world. Business is so good, in fact, that the three siblings can live comfortably in their very own homes -- Percy in his straw bungalow, Pete in his log cabin, and Prudence in her brick cottage. Then Tempesto, the meanest wolf on the block, shows up and wants more than waffles for breakfast -- he wants the three little pigs! Here is a zany retelling of a classic folktale from master storyteller Steven Kellogg.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Steven Kellogg is an author and illustrator who has contributed over 90 books for children. He is best known for writing books about animals, for which he credits his grandmother .

Reviews

[Jennica Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book falls under the folktale category of traditional literature.

Overall, I enjoyed this retelling of the three little pigs. I thought that it was a very unique take on the story, and appreciated that none of the characters died in the book. Often I think happy endings are defined by the demise of the "bad guy" in the story while the others live happily. I think it is brilliant that Kellogg decided to have the wolf end up happy and "good" in the end instead. It really shows that people can change, even if they are mean, and that the demise of the "evil" in the world isn't always the answer.

The food theme and the lack of violence make this book very friendly for young readers. I think the mother figure being present and supportive also helps show how working together can help solve tough situations. The pigs frequently make decisions that help them solve problems, and this book could help teach children that skill as well.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students and I enjoyed this variation on the traditional story. There are others that we liked better, but the ending to this one is great!

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A popular book at my house. Detailed art and an overly embellished story. Momma Pig opens and runs a successful waffle house, then retires and leaves it to her three sons. But the Wolf doesn't want to eat waffles, he wants to eat the pigs.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUMMARY; Three little pigs are happily working away in their delicious family business -- making the best-tasting waffles in the world. Business is so good, in fact, that the three siblings can live comfortably in their very own homes -- Percy in his straw bungalow, Pete in his log cabin, and Prudence in her brick cottage. Then Tempesto, the meanest wolf on the block, shows up and wants more than waffles for breakfast -- he wants the three little pigs! Here is a zany retelling of a classic folktale from master storyteller Steven Kellogg.

REVIEW: This wacky retelling of the story of the three little pigs, including names for the pigs and the wolf, in language that is current to the day is absolutely wonderful. The delightful illustrations capture the reader's attention and pull you right in to the story. Top notch Kellogg once again.

[Rafee]

for the book

[Brenna Smotzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

1 Fable
Title (italicize): The Three Little Pigs
Author: Steven Kellogg
Illustrator (if separate from author): Steven Kellogg
Genre: Fable, Fiction
Theme(s): Collaboration, Problem Solving
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text):
Serafina Sow had three piglets to raise. Their names were Percy, Pete, and Prudence.

Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words):
Three pigs inherit money from their mothers waffle shop and build their own homes. The wolf tries to get into the homes and finds new ways to enter the brick house. The three pigs and their mom work together to stop the wolf.

Professional Recommendation/Review #1 (cut & paste, details below):
Name of Reviewer: Kirkus
Name of Source (journal, association/organization, etc.): CLCD
Link to source: http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
Short blurb from the review(cut & paste):
Kellogg (I Was Born About 10,000 Years Ago, 1996, etc.) puts a master's spin on another familiar tale. These three pigs can afford to build new houses with profits reaped from their mother's mobile waffle business, which they inherit when Serafina Sow retires to the Gulf of Pasta. Tempesto, the big bad wolf (sporting a leather jacket and engineer boots), doesn't care about waffles; he sees the pigs as ham, bacon, and sausage. After devastating their straw and wood homes, he creates a hot-air balloon out of a garbage bag to descend down the chimney of the brick house. Luckily, Serafina pulls herself out of retirement just in time to stick the waffle grill under the descending wolf's bottom--a "wolffle." As usual, Kellogg's illustrations add to the story; intrepid readers will have fun finding art on the wall by Pablo Pigasso, perusing the long list of waffle flavors (among them, baloney and bubblegum), and giggling at the wolf's shirt, which sports slogans--at first, "Say Yes to Thugs," and later, "Thugs Need Hugs Too." A talent-strewn retelling that only enhances the original.

Professional Recommendation/Review #2 (cut & paste, details below):
Name of Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
Name of Source (journal, association/organization, etc.): CLCD
Link to source: http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
Short blurb from the review(cut & paste):
After her 3 children graduate from Hog Hollow Academy, Serafino Sow leaves them her waffle business as she retires to the Isle of Pasta in this hilarious version of The Three Little Pigs. Percy, Pete, and Prudence prosper until the wolf, Tempesto, tries to topple their business and their homes. It's Mama to the rescue in this action packed story. Notice the details in each scene: A painting by Pigasso hangs over the Pig's mantle along with a statue of the famous Olympig Waffle Thrower. Mr. Kellogg's warm persona permeates the story with his rollicking humor and his sense of fair play. No one gets eaten and even the wolf changes. His T-shirt sports the slogan "Thugs Need Hugs, Too."

Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words)
This is a new rendition of a classic tale that embellishes the story a little and adds some new twists. I agree with these reviews that this story is hilarious and interesting. It shows ways that authors can make stories their own. The illustrations are the glue that holds this wacky tale together. Kids will have fun pointing out little details that they find.

Evaluation of Literary Elements (3-4 sentences in your own words):
The pictures are powerful works of art. This story is made by the pictures. The pictures are insanely detailed and all over the place. Kids could spend 10 minutes looking at every single page because of how extravagant and different these pictures are. However, Kellogg uses warm colors like green and browns and yellows to connect the pages together. Although these pictures are crazy and consuming, they do not take away from the story, they only make it better.
This words are very simple and familiar to kids. This will be an easy read for most kids, but if not, it will be a great way for kids to learn how to use context clues from the page and the pictures. It’s also a great introduction into the world of fables.

Consideration of Instructional Application(3-4 sentences in your own words):
As my mini-lesson I want to talk about how different authors bring their own flavor and personalities into stories. I would compliment this book with a few other renditions of The Three Little Pigs (including the original) so kids can see how each writer altered the story to fit with their writing style and personality. I would read these aloud and create a venn diagram of things we find different and similar in each story. To extend this further, I would have the class decide on 1 topics. Then I would let them go for 10 minutes to write a story on that topic. We would come back into a circle after the 10 minutes were up and have everyone share their story. I could also connect this with architecture and have kids build their own house that can’t get knocked down my wind or a fan.

[Grace Noto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Three Little Pigs
Author: Steven Kellogg
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
Genre: fable
Theme(s): animals, fantasy, family, humor
Opening line/sentence: “Serefina Sow had three piglets to raise.”
Brief book summary: The Three Little Pigs are working hard at their bakery and living comfortably in their own homes. Then, Tempesto the Wolf shows up wanting more than just waffles to eat.

Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Name of reviewer: John Stewig
Name of Source: Parent’s Guide
Link: http://www.clcd.com/#/bookdetail/1/6/...
Short blurb:
Continuing in the tradition of tongue-in-check retellings he established several books ago, Kellogg once again entertains with word play, sly asides, and visual humor which will engage his many fans. The waffle machine which enterprising Mother Serafina cobbles together will delight young viewers. As in other retellings, the wolf doesn't become dinner, but is simply sent safely out of the story.

Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Name of reviewer: Jan Lieberman
Name of Source: Children’s Literature
Link:
http://www.clcd.com/#/bookdetail/1/6/...
Short blurb:
After her 3 children graduate from Hog Hollow Academy, Serafino Sow leaves them her waffle business as she retires to the Isle of Pasta in this hilarious version of The Three Little Pigs. Percy, Pete, and Prudence prosper until the wolf, Tempesto, tries to topple their business and their homes. It's Mama to the rescue in this action packed story. Notice the details in each scene: A painting by Pigasso hangs over the Pig's mantle along with a statue of the famous Olympig Waffle Thrower. Mr. Kellogg's warm persona permeates the story with his rollicking humor and his sense of fair play. No one gets eaten and even the wolf changes. His T-shirt sports the slogan "Thugs Need Hugs, Too."

Response to Two Professional Reviews:
The story of the Three Little Pigs is one that has been retold many times. I agree with John Stewig that his retelling of the classic sets itself apart by using word play, sly asides, and visual humor. Leiberman also compliments Kellogg’s retelling by saying his “warm persona permeates the story with his rollicking humor and sense of fair play.

Evaluation of Literary Elements:
I thought Steven Kellogg’s use of humor added a lot to this book. In a story that has been done so many times, there has to be certain additions that make it unique. Interesting word play and the fact that these classic characters are even attending school and working a regular job is a funny and fresh twist. Also, the pacing of the book was beneficial to the plot and I enjoyed the action.

Consideration of Instructional Application:
One way I would extend this book would be to read multiple versions of the “Three Little Pigs” books, since I know that there are plenty. We could have a class discussion about the similarities and differences of each of the books and talk about what we like the most about them. If I were to do a writer’s workshop, I could have my students write their own version of the story and put their own unique take on it.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different version of this story. Serifina pig is the mother of three successful piglets. Her dream is to start a waffle business. She does well and decides later on to leave the three pigs behind and retire to the Gulf of Pasta. Meanwhile, the three pigs continue her business and build three houses of straw, sticks and bricks. A wolf named Tempesto shows up and doesn't want to order a waffle. He really wants to eat the owners. Lots of slang language is used. The pigs push the wafflemaker machine over on the wolf and run to their houses. The pigs send a paper airplane to the sheriff for help but a bathtub lands on him. The first pig runs to the second pig's house and later both run to the third house. Chinny chin chin is only used once in the story. The three pigs throw fruit at the wolf. He gets mad at them and declares war. The wolf blows up a garbage bag and floats with this unconventional balloon up to the roof. He comes down the chimney. In the meantime, the pigs' mom comes back after she receives the paper airplane plea for help. They all put the waffle machine in the fireplace and turn the wolf into a woffle. After pouring syrup and butter on him, the wolf finally surrenders. The three pigs ship the wolf off to the Gulf of Pasta. Meanwhile the waffle business goes global and is very successful. Serifina pig decides to stay and sees her three sons marry and have lots of grandpigs. This is a fun story. Highly recommended for Grades K - 2.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hilarious retelling of the three little pigs, incorporating an elaborate backstory about the pigs’ family waffle business. The wolf is a scary biker dude. This book is super silly and engaging, but also features really gorgeous art and a sophisticated vocabulary to keep kids thinking and learning.

The story has so much fun dialog and action that I imagine it would be really fun to use in a reader’s theater after school program (for elementary-aged children who can read independently). This could be as simple as reading the book through once by myself, and then handing out copies with the lines for each character highlighted to read as a group. In a more involved, multi-session program, I can imagine working with kids to translate the book into a script, incorporating the existing dialog but changing some of the narration to additional dialog. We could even create simple sets, props, and masks out of cardboard. We could perform the skit live and/or make a movie out of it.

[Bri Feltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade level: PreK-2nd
I thought this book was a really funny version of the three little pigs. I really love doing story comparisons and evaluating different versions of a story with my students; this would be a great book to include in that type of lesson! The illustrations were very detailed and engaging. I think students would really enjoy the silliness of the story and the aspect of the restaurant. I think there are so many ways to incorporate elements from this book into a whole day of lessons such as doing waffle stacking addition for math, having students build their own houses for a STEM activity, and/or having students write about how they might escape a wolf.

[Kimberly Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another classic children's story with a different twist to the story line. In this version the pigs love waffles and create a portable waffle cart to take waffles around the town. They earn enough money to build their own houses and each ones does (just like in the classic version). In the the pigs marry and families of their own and the wolf moves to a beach and enjoys his life there. Good book for preschool through 3rd grade.

[Hannah Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and how it added a fun and unique spin to the typical three little pigs story. It makes it easier to connect with the story better. I also liked how it included some modern and everyday objects such as the waffle maker. The illustrations are super vibrant and detailed which add a lot to the reading experience. I would definitely add this to my future classroom library.

Genre: traditional literature
Reading level: 3-4

[Amanda Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Lit Age: K-2nd
Oh my goodness, this book was so enjoyable to read! We all know the classic story of the 3 little pigs, but this puts a spin on the story. In this version, the pigs own a "wafflrey" and the way they get rid of the wolf at the end is very creative. I want to have this book in my classroom because I would love to see the kids' faces light up when they realize the story is not like the classic version of the story.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

genre: traditional literature
grade range: kindergarten-2nd grade
personal review: This may be my favorite retelling of a story EVER. How fun with the waffles, and the story with the mom pig coming back! It is so much fun and I found myself laughing throughout the whole thing. I appreciate stories like this because it shows the creativity of some authors! Definitely a story that would keep students laughing!

[Paige Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade Level: Pre-K - 3rd
This book of the three little pigs was retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. This story of "The Three Little Pigs" is a little bit different than the original story. This story is told about the pig family who owns a waffle business. This is a fun story to read to children and would be a great story to read and then act out as a class. The author did a great job making the illustrations so detailed and made the story more captivating.

[Keri Rohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Three Little Pigs is a classic tradition literature book for grades K-2. This retold tale has an interesting twist with the pigs running a waffle hut. The pigs get in a sticky situation with the wolf, like in the classic tale, but this one ends a bit differently. This is not my favorite version of the story but it still has the same plot as the original.

[Sydney M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Three Little Pig
Three pigs are minding their own business making a living making waffles. All three pigs lived alone . Percy lived in a straw bungalow, Pete lived in a log cabin, and Prudence lived in a brick cottage. While the pigs were busy a big bad wolf comes and demands he eats the pigs for breakfast. His plan is to blow the pigs houses down and eat them.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remember to look at the details in the pictures! Note that the pigs are doing very well against the ostriches (?) at school, for example, and of course pigs won't save their money in a piggy bank.... Also Kellogg does names like Dickens did; the brick cottage was built by Prudence. And I love the happy ending for all. Three stars is a reflection of my own taste, and you may like it more.

[areadersjourney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steven Kellogg's version of this classic tale is very interesting. It's definitely worth a read. The introduction of Mama Pig and the love for her piglets is a nice welcome. The waffle imagery was very tempting (I had to have one when I was finished with some bacon).

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Three Little Pigs told by Steven Kellogg is a great way to retell the old folktale. It keeps the same concept, but adds a little extra into the story. This book had great illustrations that went outside the square boarder.

[Maggie Harshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

DRA Level: 24
Lexile: AD640L
Applicable Traits: Ideas and presentation

I thought this was a super fun retelling of The Three Little Pigs. Adding different human characteristics to the pigs (like wanting to make waffles) was cute and the illustrations went perfectly with the text.

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book of a sow and her three waffle-maker pigs is by far the worst interpretation of the old story I've ever read. The wolf looks like a gang member, and at least one of the illustrations borders on the macabre. Not recommended.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 2 out of 5]

A twist on the classic Three Pigs story. I'm not sure that I love it. I got really excited about the Waffle business, because, well, waffles! But the rest of the story was not that interesting because I really didn't care about any of the characters.

[Emily Sefcheck · Rating 2 out of 5]

3rd-5th grade
Genre: Traditional Fiction

This was not my favorite version of the three little pigs. At some points, I felt like it was randomly pulling things from different book. It was fun, but not my favorite. I think children would enjoy it, though.

[Tara Dryml]

This is a twist on the original Three Little Pigs story. The pigs in this story own a waffle business and are so well off they each have their own houses. A straw one, a log one, and a brick one. So it has similar aspects of the original but is unqiue in it's own way.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you've read hundreds of Picture Books you really get a sense of what you like and what you don't. This over-told story is only average. Steve Kellogg is a talented artist though, so enjoy the illustrations.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a slight variation of the original story. It keeps the spirit and moral of the original while doing away with much of the violence and adding some nice quirks. The ending was especially well done. I highly recommend this title.

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan winter reading 2017, children's book, picture book, fairy tale, classic, three little pigs, prek, kindergarten, first grade, second grade,

[Alyssa Ricard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The big bad wolf threatens to blow their beautiful stand down for some waffles? Steven Kellogg retold this story beautifully! The illustrations are so eye catching.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on a classic tale. I'm curious... Does Steven Kellogg have a waffle fetish? I liked the change of pace for the mother's role. A nice happy ending!