The Three Pigs

Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs. NY: Clarion. 

     We all know how books work. Characters stay in their story, they certainly don't jump out of the pages or visit other books. The imaginative twist in David Wiesner's adaptation of this classic tale shows a set of pigs who decide to change their fate, leaving the wolf completely bewildered. Where did those pigs go? They decide to rescue other doomed literary characters, rewriting not only that tale but also their own.  

Textbook Assignment #1 

 Literary Example of Composition

Some stories can be told without their illustrations, but David Wiesner’s version of The Three Pigs is not one of them. What starts as the classic tale quickly becomes an unexpected twist both in storyline and illustrations. The color used in the pictures changes in style continually as the pigs move through the story. One page is done in black and white, another in bright, cartoonish coloring, while another is done in muted tones. Line is used to show the characters moving in and out of the original pages, adding an unusual element to the plot. Finally, as the first pig jumps out of the page he emerges as hairy and more realistic than the wolf left behind in the house of sticks.

Evaluative Criteria - Illustrations

Many books can be told without the help of illustrations, but David Wiesner’s version of the Three Little Pigs is not one of them. The predictable tale takes a crazy turn when the pigs realize they can leave the book, taking the reader on a wild ride. The pigs leave their classic setting and are able to see into the book and then beyond. The illustrations take over and tell the story, complete with a wild paper airplane ride, a look at the reader and then to find other literary characters in need of rescuing. While the plot may be simple, the illustrations are complicated and incredibly crafted in a fun, unexpected way.

Book Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U41VWexL6gE

Author Information

http://thethreepigscaldecott.weebly.com/