The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Wienser, David. 2001. THE THREE PIGS. Ill. by David Wiesner. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618007016

PLOT SUMMARY:
David Wiesner writes and illustrates this picture book about the three little pigs with a non-traditional twist. The pigs are tormented as usual by the big bad wolf and decide to escape by turning the pages of the book into a paper airplane and flying away. They end up with the "cat and the fiddle" and "the cow that jumped over the moon" from nursery rhyme land and a dragon from another fairy tale. They return to their own story taking the dragon with them. When the big bad wolf comes back to blow the house down, he could not blow it down. The three pigs, the cat and the fiddle and the dragon live happily ever after.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This Caldecott winner, THE THREE PIGS, is an example of the very creative writing of David Wiesner. He starts out telling a traditional tale and quickly grabs the attention of the reader and audience as the story unfolds in a non-traditional manner. The writing is creative, but the illustrations really take center stage as he uses two demensional and three demensional drawings. Some of the pictures actually seem to be coming off of the page. The art work captures a life like quality as the pigs and dragon come to life in three demensional reality. The writing takes on a different approach with the use of bubbles for dialogue similar to that of a comic book. This fractured fairy tale stands out from others because of the creativeness of the writer/illustrator. Children will find this tale exciting, different and adventursome as the find out the "happily ever after" ending.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
New York Times, Book Review - "Wiesner's dialogue and illustrations are clever, whimisical and sophisticated."
School Library Journal, starred review - "Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familar favorite."
Children's Literature - "A clever tale that will keepkids poring over every detail."

CONNECTIONS:
* The book encourages children to think differently from traditional literature.
* Read fairy tales and have students write a different ending.
Other fractured fairy tales:
THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES by Jon Scieska
SLEEPING UGLY by Jane Yolen