A Cozy Review of "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs"
As a mom, my days often spin into a whirlwind of activities, but there’s this lovely pocket of time each evening where we settle down with a good book before bedtime. The other night, while I wrangled my two little ones into their pajamas, I felt the familiar urge for a story that could bring us together. That’s when I reached for The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. After reading the classic tale a thousand times from the pigs’ perspective, I was curious how A. Wolf would retell it—and so were my curious munchkins!
This delightful twist on the classic fairy tale introduces us to the misunderstood Big Bad Wolf, who shares his side of the story regarding that infamous incident with the three little pigs. What begins as a chase for a slice of birthday cake for Granny spirals into a captivating narrative filled with humor and a sprinkle of chaos. My kids were instantly hooked! The way A. Wolf unfurls his tale makes them question everything they thought they knew about that “big bad” reputation.
One of the things I really appreciate about this book is its playfulness. The illustrations by Lane Smith are witty and vibrant, complementing the tongue-in-cheek writing style. My son, who is five, couldn’t stop giggling at the expressions on A. Wolf’s face, especially when he introduces events that took an unexpected turn. “Mom, look at his eyes!” he exclaimed, pointing animatedly at the page where A. Wolf pouts over his sneeze that led to blowing down a house. I loved that this book not only entertained but also sparked conversations about perspective and empathy—two important lessons for our little ones.
One of our favorite moments came when A. Wolf passionately claims, “It’s not easy being a wolf!” That line had my daughter giggling and then dramatically declaring, “Mommy, sometimes it’s hard being a kid too!” Oh, the beauty of storytelling to connect our experiences!
In the end, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs has firmly nestled itself as a new favorite in our family. It’s funny, thought-provoking, and an engaging way to discuss point of view with kids aged 3 to 7. I’d recommend it to anyone whose little one loves a good giggle or needs a gentle nudge toward understanding that there’s always more than one side to a story. Plus, it makes for a perfect birthday gift or a charming bedtime read.
Ultimately, this book reminds us as parents that amidst the chaos of daily life, a shared laugh and a little storytelling can turn everything around. I’m curious to hear what else my kids will think on our next read-through—and I can’t wait for more adventures with our charmingly mischievous Wolf!