The Three Little Pigs (1989)
James Marshall
Marshall offers a refreshing take of this traditional tale, making the experience his own with his trademark illustrations and dialogue rich with idioms. Using a bright palette of watercolor and pen, Marshall demonstrates each pig’s personality with rich visual detail. In the opening spread, the reader gets a hint of this as the three pigs march out of their childhood home. The pig who later lays in a hammock inside a swaying home of straw is first in line here, shoe and shirtless with his bag slung over his shoulder while the third pig is elegantly dressed with both feet on the ground.
Readers will want to spend time viewing the whimsical homes of the three pigs and paying attention to the movement and mood portrayed through Marshall’s artwork. Yellow represents opportunity, as each building material is transported in a something bearing this color. Movement is evident in the scatter of straw and sticks in the destruction of the first two houses, and subtle details like a wavering scarf and curtains blowing bring life to the pages.
English language learners will be able to examine idioms in context through the narration of this familiar story, such as “mind your own business” and the concept of being “put out.”
Though the first two pigs are devoured by the not-so- threatening wolf in this version, the book jacket shows a stage and gives a view from both audience and performer’s perspective. This may provide some reassurance to younger readers.
View the cartoon version: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joll62WS9H4
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