Bibliography:
Trumbauer, Lisa. 2009. The three little pigs: the graphic novel. Ill. by Aaron Blecha. Minneapolis: Stone Arch Books. ISBN 1434211959
Plot:
The
plot of this graphic novel retelling of The
Three Little Pigs stays true to the familiar premise of the tale. The three pigs are sent out into the world to
make their own way by the mother pig and construct dwellings of straw, sticks,
and bricks. When the big bad wolf visits
the first two pigs he is easily able to huff and puff their houses away and
capture the pigs. When he is
unsuccessful in blowing down the brick house, he invites the third pig on three
different outings, but the wily pig is able to get home safely from each
one.
Fed
up, the wolf climbs down the chimney into the kettle full of boiling water,
scalding his tail and sending him running away.
The third pig rescues his brothers who have not yet been eaten and helps
them build sturdier houses for themselves.
It seems as though the brothers will live happily after, but the book
ends with the wolf cooling his tail, growing hungrier and plotting his revenge.
Analysis:
The
story is told through a comic book/graphic novel format with an overall dark
feeling to the artwork. The artwork
lacks the cartoon cuteness of many picture retellings with very messy piggish
pigs and a sinister, toothy wolf. The
style may appeal to older audiences, but this selection still offers a faithful
retelling of the traditional tale that is capable of drawing in younger readers
who are new to the story as well. The
panels contain enough dialogue and transitional text to develop the characters,
but the momentum of the story relies, as it should for this format, on the
graphic elements.
The
plot sequence involving the wolf attempting to lure the third pig out of his
home to pick turnips and apples and attend the fair is one that is often left
out of picture book retellings and may be unexpected or new to readers who are
familiar with this tale, but it serves to further portray the third pig brother
as a clever and resourceful adversary for the wolf. The supposedly weaker animal who outwits the
stronger villain is a common element in many folktales, and Trumbauer is able
to develop these characters to fit the archetype.
The
end of the book contains several interesting extras including a brief history
of the three pigs folktale, discussion questions, writing prompts, and an
internet site to enrich the book experience.
These elements offer both teachers and individual readers ways to extend the
reading experience.
Awards & Reviews:
15
Best Illustrated Children’s Books 2009 honoree by Ashbooks Book Community
School Library Journal review: “The wolf is particularly
menacing and its curved claws and glowing green eyes will remain in children's
thoughts at the end of the tale as it lies in wait.”
Connections:
- Compare to other Three Little Pig variants and versions. This book will lend itself to conversations about artistic style because of the distinct comic book elements and creepy visuals.
- Explore the book extensions offered in the book such as discussion questions and writing prompts.
- Encourage children to create comic books/graphic novels of other familiar stories.
- More folk tales in graphic novel format:
Dahl, Michael, and Luke Feldman. 2009. Beauty
and the beast: the graphic novel. Mankato, Minn: Stone Arch Books. ISBN 143420765X
Hoena, B. A., and Ricardo Tercio.
2009. Jack and the beanstalk: the graphic novel. Mankato, Minn:
Stone Arch Books. ISBN 1434207668
Powell, Martin, and Erik Valdez y
Alanis. 2009. Rumpelstiltskin: the graphic novel. Mankato, Minn:
Stone Arch Books. ISBN 1434207684
No comments:
Post a Comment