The Three Little Pigs

by Paul Galdone, Joanna C. Galdone

All three pigs set out to seek their fortune, but two of them come to a sorry end.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Classics, Animals, Fiction, Folk Tales

48 pages, Audio Cassette

First published July 19, 1971

About the author

Paul Galdone (1907 - November 7, 1986) was a children's literature author and illustrator. He was born in Budapest and he emigrated to the United States in 1921. He studied art at the Art Student's League and New York School for Industrial Design. He served for the US Army during world War II.

He illustrated nearly all of Eve Titus' books including the Basil of Baker Street series which was translated to the screen in the animated Disney film, The Great Mouse Detective.

Galdone and Titus were nominated for Caldecott Medals for Anatole (1957) and Anatole and the Cat (1958). The titles were later named Caldecott Honor books in 1971.

He died of a heart attack in Nyack, New York. He was posthumously awarded the 1996 Kerlan Award for his contribution to children's literature. His retellings of classic tales like "The Little Red Hen" or "Three Billy Goats Gruff" have become staples.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally wrote: “Neo liked this classic, but eating pigs is too violent for kids to read.”

Re-reading this story, the reader learns of the classic tale surrounding the three little pigs. They are all sent on their way to lay the groundwork for their future. After the first two pigs fall victim to a hungry wolf, the third locks down a stable dwelling and dodges many tricks before turning the tables on the wolf in the end. I had forgotten how graphic the original story was, compared to the watered-down classics I have read more recently. Neo did not seem to blink an eye, but it is surely quite a bloodthirsty piece to offer young minds. Of course, we will forge ahead, but I will make sure Neo knows these are not real.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this story again and chose it because the Ritz kids are staying with us and thought it would be good for Rory. Jacob at the end says, "mom, the last pig ate his other 2 brothers!" Oh boy, my little boy is growing up and paying attention to the details of a story. I love it!...krb 7/27/16

[Jessica Atwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I love about Paul Galdone's picture books of classic folk tales is that he retains the vivid details of old versions of the stories, without worrying about the squeamishness of adults who may be reading them. In this book, for example, the wolf eats the first two pigs and is in turn boiled and eaten by the third pig.

As I was reading it, my young son said, "I'm glad the wolf doesn't just get burned. He deserves to be eaten. "

That gets at the heart of why frightening things in fairy tales are so good for children: justice. In a world were people (good and bad) so often fail to get what they deserve, fairy tales offer a justice that is reassuring and comforting. Childhood is frightening, the dark is scary, and there are real monsters out there. Let us have stories where the wolf gets eaten, the giant falls to his death from the beanstalk, and the witch is cooked in her own oven.

Our children deserve it.

[Paul Large · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic, and nothing can beat a classic! This book has survived the ages and everyone knows why because every child loves to hear the story of how the wolf was mean to the pigs. Paul Galdone has done a great job in explaining the setting of the story and even though there are a lot of versions that have come out on this book, this book is still my favorite rendition. As the three little pigs try to figure out life, there are important life lessons that can be learned. One of the lessons is that no matter what the situation you should think through everything before you take action. I think that everyone should read this book because it is a simple but great read! Little pig, little pig let this book come to your home or school.

[Stevie Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was kind of impressed by how Grimm's fairy tale-esque this was.

[Taylor Richarsdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Three Little Pigs
Author: Paul Galdone
Plot: This plot is chronological in telling a story of three pigs who were sent off to make their fortune and have differences of opinions when it comes to what they should build their homes with. Their decisions are put to the test when a wolf comes around threatening to blow their houses down.
Characters: This story consists mainly of static characters. The reader really doesn’t get to know any of the characters beyond a surface level.
Main Conflict: The main conflict in this story is between the three pigs and the big bad wolf, which is character against character.
Main Theme: The main theme of this story is implicit. It takes some reading to really find out what the central idea of the story is, but after the wolf comes back to the pigs brick house for the second time, it becomes more clear.
Authors Style: This author uses some rhymes throughout the text, like “little pig little pig let me in” “Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin!” He also uses exaggeration, like in the end of the story.
Point of View: This story is told from the third person point of view.
Design and Layout: I really enjoyed the movement of the pictures in this book. Each page was like a different scene out of a move, and it helped the story come to life since it could be considered a more ‘dated’ story.
Lessons and Standards: One lesson that could be done using this story is to read the story aloud to the class, and then allow the students to create a picture to visualize the moral of the story. This could work with standard RL.2.2, recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral. Another idea for a lesson could be allowing the students to create a project related to the story. This could be done by asking each student to create a poster board that includes each significant character in the story and provide a short summary of who each character is and what they did. This could work with standard RL.3.3, describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
Overall Assessment: I think this is a great classic to keep around in classrooms of all different grade levels. It’s a short and fun read that has just enough surprise at the end to make you enjoy it every time you read it.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

By all means, introduce your kids to the most practical lessons in all of real estate history. When you grow up, as a human, what will your house be made of?

In this version of the story as elsewhere:

* The first pig builds himself a house of straw.

* The second pig builds himself a house of bricks.

* While the clever third pig builds himself a house of bricks.

And, true to form, this wolf huffs, and puffs, and blows in the houses of the first two pigs. Only, unlike the traditional version of this tale, all this is just the beginning.

Quite the battle begins between that third pig and the big, bad wolf. Whether you call it a battle of wits, or turnips,or apples. Leading a most satisfyingly happy ending.

FIVE STARS well earned. The wolf's expressions alone are worth the price of this book.

[Cathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book's illustrations may not be quite as colorful and clever as some of the other versions I've read, and while it may not be as funny as some of the others, I like it because it's very similar in story line to the book our family had and which I loved so much as a kid. I loved the extra stuff in that story--the pig picking turnips and apples incredibly early in the morning, going to the county fair, jumping in a butter churn and rolling home safely and quickly, etc. Oh, how I loved the idea of this pig--way smarter than his pathetic brothers--outsmarting the wolf time and time again!

[Elizabeth Mayberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best version that I have read of the classic tale The Three Little pigs. Not only are the illustrations perfectly lovely and bring the story to life, but the story itself doesn't shy away from some of the "scary" elements of the tale. The wolf does indeed eat the first two pigs after destroying their homes. As we watch the third pig continually out smart the wolf, we cannot help but rejoice when justice is served at the end! Read to all my kids on my lap (1,4,5) and they all enjoyed it - my oldest talking about how smart the third pig was and how he "got that bad guy!" When the stakes are higher, so is the reward!

[Mya Kaschak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story follows three little pigs who each built a house out of different materials, straws, sticks and bricks to protect themselves from the big, bad wold. The first two pigs are careless and quick to finish their homes, while the third pig takes time to build a sturdy house. The wolf blows down the straw and stick hour but the third pig house still stands. The main takeaways of this was hard work and the value of making thoughtful decisions. This book is an excellent choice for young readers as it shows good illustrations as well as sending a lesson about the importance of hard working and planning.

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Galdone is a wonderful illustrator to this classic tale of two fatalist pigs and one wise pig. In the world of 2018, I'm afraid some of our young millenials would object to the demise of two of the pigs. However, I think the story rings true to nature, that a wolf would want to and actually does eat pigs. To have a pig outwit a wolf is a fun twist of fate. Since pigs will eat "slop," I guess a pig would eat a wolf if presented to him. I enjoyed this revisit to a classic, and think it makes a great story to read to children.

[Charmian Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am glad this wasn't a sugar coated version of the tale but there is no moral to this version. This story is supposed to teach children the value of hard work but in this version the pigs got their materials based on who they ran into that would give them free stuff and then skipped the whole building of the houses. The only thing a child would learn from this book is that it pays to be weary of what other people are promising you but that is not supposed to be the lesson learned from this particular tale. The author seems to have missed to the whole point of this fairy tale.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this version of the classic children’s tale does not stand the test of time, largely because of the gruesome fate of the wolf, not to mention the poverty of the pigs. When this book was first published in 1970, wolves had been added to a growing list of endangered species in many parts of the world; therefore, the revised version of this tale should have taught the generations of children inheriting such a world how Pig and Wolf learned to coexist peacefully and share resources. That said, Galdone’s lively illustrations are worthy of a second star.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Three Little Pigs a very old folktale I have heard and read many many’s including this one illustrated by Paul Galdone struck me this morning as a repetitive tale with much instruction applicable to today’s child. The wolf preying on children comes in many forms today and shown here is one of the three pigs being resourceful and outthinking the big bad wolf. I would hope children would see their ability to be resourceful and out think the dangers they might face. This is a “message” story but entertaining at the same time unlike the many current message stories of today.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The traditional story of the three little pigs from my childhood, I've enjoyed reading this book over and over to my daughter. The wolf is very intelligent, thinking of ways to make the pigs his dinner, but the third little pig was both smart and brave. The wolf got his due in the end.

I like this story in this format. I enjoy a retelling from time to time, but the classics are best to share with the next generation.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for CuTieS book club October 17, 2022
Theme: Original vs Retelling Tales

I think some of the kids were a little surprised when the little pigs get eaten in this one, because they are more familiar with the books that have the pigs run to the third pigs house. But we talked about different versions having slightly different stories. And by the end when the third pig ate the wolf, the kids had a little chuckle.

[Rachel Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade Level: 1-2

I liked this version of The Three Little Pigs because it was a little bit different than what you would normally hear. The story was well told and the illustrations were nice. The size of the book was handy and it was overall a nice tale with a spin that will engage young readers.

[Hannah Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! The wolf gets eaten in the end, right after he was sort of starting to view the pig as a friend. It makes me wonder if the wolf was a true villain or just a lonely soul... Anyway, I’m a huge animal advocate and wouldn’t generally find it amusing that a pig eat a wolf, but it IS funny because... pigs don’t eat wolves.

[Anna Staton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade Level: K-2nd

This is book is a classic that teaches how things happen sequentially in order. I think it is a great book for beginning readers- I even remember getting this story read to me as a child. You could have a class activity where you compare and contrast different versions of this story as well.

[Raquel C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Paul Galdone’s fairytale books. I enjoy reading these stories and seeing his illustrations. They are well done and classic. My son enjoys them too. He can sit for the longer fairytales than he can for some of the shorter contemporary stories. I really enjoy Paul Galdone’s works and I remember reading his books as a child.

[Madeline Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Galdone's rendition of "The Three Little Pigs" offers a classic, engaging storytelling experience. His vibrant illustrations bring life to the well-known fable of resilience and cleverness as the pigs outsmart the big bad wolf. An excellent choice for young readers, this version captures the timeless charm of the tale.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This version has a part of the story I've never heard before - whether it's old or new - it's a fun addition.

For the classic children's stories, I love to go to Paul Galdone's books. His illustrations are charmingly old school and his telling of the age-old stories spot on.

Ages: 4 -7

[Breezi McClenahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic story that has a dark ending where the wolf gets eaten. While it was a great rendition of the three little pigs, it didn't blow my socks off.

Lexile: 550L
ATOS: 3.2

Six & One trait: Conventions

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are no shortage of fairy tale books around, but this retelling hit the spot. fun pictures, to the point storytelling, all in all a win. I'll revisit the rest in the series in a few years.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never seen this particular version of The Three Little Pigs before and it makes me wonder about Galdone's research process and sources! I know many of the original fairy tales have been much altered and watered down, so I wonder how he came to put this particular variation to paper.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite version to date that I have read of this story, the illustrations were nice, the linen binding was great and the rendition of the folktale was great. The boys laughed and love this one too.

[Teri S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be kind of motivational with some determination. The third pig knew what it needed to do to stay alive. Always outsmarting the wolf saved it’s life. Doing things differently from “watching” the others led the third piggy to live happily ever after.
We can only change what can.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

These pigs don't feel the need to wear clothes, which is good. This also sticks close to the original tale with two of the pigs getting eaten by the wolf, and fortunately, after the third pig outwitted the wolf, that was the end. (The two pigs that were eaten, didn't emerge miraculously alive.)

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this before sharing with my nieces. A classic, but note that this version isn't shy about explicitly stating that the wolf eats the first two pigs and that the last pig stews up the wolf and eats him. Lots of anthropomorphic cannibalism of characters here.

[Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic telling that introduces young children to the three little pigs and the big bad wolf before they immerse themselves in the many twists on this tale.

Note: Galdone includes a few Grimm-esque details (e.g., And he ate up the first little pig.) so read for yourself first!