Three Little Javelinas

by Susan Lowell, Jim Harris (Illustrator)

Everyone knows the story of the three little pigs, but now you're going to meet the three little javelinas (pronounced ha-ve-LEE-nas)--loveable, wild, southwestern cousins of pigs. Living in homes built out of tumbleweeds and saguaro ribs (from the fallen giant cacti), the first two javelinas are soon running from the hungry coyote, who had hoped to eat them with red chile sauce. And where do they go for shelter? Why, to their wise sister's house, made strong with adobe bricks.

This clever and humorous tale is sure to delight children of all ages, especially those familiar with the Southwest. Dressed in cowboy duds and prepared for life in the rugged desert, these characters are more than any coyote bargained for.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Susan Lowell often writes about the Southwest border country in both fiction and nonfiction. Her forthcoming adult short-story collection, "Two Desperados,” returns to the genre of her first book, “Ganado Red.” Her family has lived in the American West since Gold Rush days, and family stories have inspired many children’s books as well as an adult novel in progress called “The Wild West Waltz” (see the story “Two Desperados” for a preview!)
She and her husband divide their time between Tucson, Arizona and a ranch near the Mexican border.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't just any coyote, which are themselves more clever than wolves or foxes, this is Coyote, the Trickster. But the girl javelina is even smarter.

Great read-aloud, even to the point of telling the reader, within the text, the correct way to pronounce saguaros.

Marvelous illustrations, reminiscent of Jan Brett but without the busy borders. I love the riff on The Mona Lisa.

I will look for more by both author & illustrator.

Reread - review stands. I have rounded up from 4.5 stars because I think it's so fun and smart that every child and family should read it. As should everyone interested in the desert SW USA. Good author's note, too.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECT for learning about Arizona. Javelinas are sometimes called wild pigs, they are related to swine and hippopotamus and instead of them running from the Big Bad Wolf they are on the run from a coyote. The two brothers and one sister use traditional southwest things for their three houses; tumbleweed, sticks from inside a cactus (called saguaro ribs), and adobe bricks. Along the way you learn a few Spanish and Native American words and about how the traditional things are made or where they come from. The illustrations were wonderful and my son and I loved it!

[Haaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in elementary school and forgot how good it was.

It is such an interesting twist on three little pigs. I love the cultural aspects and the illustrations are very detailed.

[Rachel Kinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this story for one of the fractured fairy tales. This fractured version of the Three Little Pigs takes place in the southwest. This story would be an interesting story to share after sharing the original Three Little Pigs story to show how the same story can take place in different settings. This story follows pretty closely to the original version. I enjoyed reading it and would enjoy reading it to preschool aged children.

[Deania · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute little book and the illustrations were good. If you like the desert and understand a little bit of Spanish, then this is the book for you. A different twist on the pigs and the wolf is good.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun Southwestern-style retelling of The Three Little Pigs set in the Sonoran Desert!

We read this for B&R-1

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a “Three Little Pigs” retelling set in the culture and habitat of the Sonoran Desert. I found it an especially fun and meaningful picture book since I visited Arizona last year. I really enjoyed the historical and environmental details used to create this unique retelling.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book! As someone from the Southwestern US, I loved to see the culture that was interspersed with the classic three little pigs. I loved the inclusion of animals and plants, as well as the languages. Such a cool book!

[Lawrence Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a different type of story of the three little pigs set in a desert location and the javelinas, or desert pigs, using the available materials to build houses. This story shows that sometimes patience is key when it comes to housebuilding.

[Erica Schuster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The children's story " The Three Little Javelinas" written by Susan Lowell, is a take off of the classic book the three little pigs. This book changes the story from three little pigs to three little javelinas that travel through the desert to make a home to stay in, while meeting diverse people. I read this story to three first grade students during one of my after school programs, and they absolutely loved it. This book is a great way to introduce the Mexican culture into young classrooms. The book, since it is based off of the three little pigs, keeps the students very engaged. Knowing the main idea and context of the book allows the students to focus on new information such as the Mexican culture and the desert setting to gain more information.

Throughout the book the three little Javelinas use materials found in the desert to build their homes such as tumble weeds, saguaro ribs and adobe brick. Since these materials are used students become more familiar with the resources used in that area. This opens their eyes to the differences in materials available in certain habitats. The characters that the javelins meet throughout the book are from a hispanic background and even use Spanish words that are easily interpreted. Having the students be introduced to a different culture at such a young age is so important and reading a familiar book with a cultural twist is the best way to accomplish that.

The three little Javelinas represents the characteristics of a culturally diverse folk tale in its adaption of the Hispanic culture while keeping the plot of the story the same. I would use this book again in a lesson, like I have before because of the success rate it has with keeping students engaged and also eager to learn. "The Three Little Javelinas" is a folk tale because of its familiarity in many diverse regions and has been told and adapted for a while. This book is not only a great way to introduce folk tales and cultural differences it is a great way to introduce a comparison and contrast lesson. This book is the perfect example of a culturally diverse folk tale and I would recommend it to anyone looking for this genera of book.

[Allie Gearhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Level: 3.7

The Three Little Javelinas is about 3 javelinas (Spanish for pig) who are all being hunted by a big bad coyote. Each javelina has their own unique way of taking shelter, but some ways are better than others.

This story is classified as traditional literature because of it's folklore characteristics and the continual retellings of it in various ways.

The Three Little Javelinas would be a great mentor text for the use of ideas. The theme of the story, hard work outweighs the quick and easy way, would be a simple way to show students how to think about the theme of a story.

The Three Little Javelinas could also be used to teach a compare and contrast lesson, as there are many different versions of this story, such as The Three Little Pigs.

[Lara Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This twist on the classic three little pigs story gives us a window into the culture of the Southwestern states and gives teachers an opportunity to teach about javelinas and other desert dwelling animals. It could also be helpful in teaching about different plants that exist in desert societies because the first two pigs make their homes out of hollowed out cacti and tumbleweeds while the third pig makes her house out of adobe clay bricks. The big bad wolf is also replaced by the coyote, a common animal in the southwest. I would use this book in a unit about fractured fairytales, southwestern culture, and Native cultures regarding coyotes.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the three little pigs with a Southwestern flare and a bit of Native American culture thrown in. We used this book in a trio of comparison with the traditional story of the three little pigs and the story told from the wolf's point of view. The children were very engaged with the differences in vocabulary and a coyote instead of a wolf. Written in both Spanish and English, this is an ideal book for Dual Language Learners as well.

[Marlina Serratos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very interesting story about Three Little Javelinas the term for wild pigs also know as boars. It is a good way to introduce some Native American Language and Mexican Language. This a good folktale to show kids that sometimes doing things the easy way out can be costly. Introduce kids so that they Understand Southwest geographically is a good way to talk to kids about animals and their habitat.

[Cora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Per my second graders: I liked it when it said that when the first javelina said, "Not by my hair of my chinny chin chin" and he was really hairy. I like it but I gave four stars because I didn't quite understand it. (Me: "What didn't you understand?") Students: It was too different that the regular Three Little Pigs.

[Spencer Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this version of the three little pigs because it added a different style to it. It also had more detailed illustrations and made it more relatable to someone of Hispanic culture. I think it can also be helpful to teach others about Hispanic culture and the different dialogue they use. This book is animal fantasy and anywhere from first to third grade range.

[Sarah Westgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional Literature
This story would be great for students in Kindergarten and up. One unique feature of this text is it is similar to The Three Little Pigs and is a great connection to the story from a different part of the world!

[Alyssa Ricard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the traditional 3 little pigs story we know of, the big bad wolf gets a taste of his own medicine. I love the diversity of the tribe mentioned in the desert. The illustrations were beautiful.

[Jess(ToTheMoonAndBackReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book so many times I probably have it memorized. This is a fun twist on the tale of the three little pigs that my little girl loves. She probably can " read " it herself.
I love the use of new Spanish words and giving her a taste of another culture.

[Clara McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book would be great to use when talking about variations of classic stories. It includes a lot about southwestern culture and the native people who live there. You could also do a compare and contrast with this book, the classic version, and other variations.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorites! I adore the illustrations!

[Kaelin Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a great retelling of the three little pigs. It's a Spanish twist on the famous tale. I enjoyed it very much.

[Sam Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different version of the three little pigs. Very neat illustrations full of color and expressions.

[Makkena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a variant folk tale of “The Three Little Pigs.” Loveseat how the author changed around the book to follow the same story line as “The Three Little Pigs.”

[Shanna Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

reread from my childhood

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great rendition of the Three Little Pigs Southwest style.

[Candi Hardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest spin I have read on The Three Little Pigs. My kids loved it and I enjoyed it too. You even learn a little history reading it.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good spin on the three little pigs. This might relate better to children of the area.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the western version of the Three Little Pigs - so cute!!

[Heather Utley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the Three Little Pigs and like to say Javalina, you will like this book.