The Three Pigs

Author/ Illustrator:  David Wiesner

About the Author:

David Wiesner was born in Bridgewater, New Jersey.  He attended Rhode Island School of Design.  He became an author/illustrator of children's books.  He has won many awards for his work.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 2-4

Synopsis:

This is a story about the three little pigs.  It starts off with the traditional version, and then the story is told from the point of view from the pig.  The pigs did not get eaten by the wolf; and they travel through other stories, and live happily ever after.

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions: 

Who has heard of the 3 pigs?  Who are the pigs trying to get away from? What always happens to the pigs?

Activity: 

Have the class make a list of what they know happens in the story 3 little pigs.  Create a K-W-L chart to use before and after reading the story.

Post Reading Activity:

Questions:

Is that what everyone remembers about the 3 little pigs? Do they usually live happily ever after?  Why do they in this story?  What is different about this story?

Activity:

After reading the story, finish the K-W-L chart, have students get into groups and list the differences in the versions of three little pig stories they have now read.  Groups discuss whose point of view the book is from and why is it important for a story to be told from different perspectives.

Reflection:

I think this is a great way to show children there is more than one point of view in every story, even though you may not think from another perspective because the story usually is written to show you one point of view. There is always the other point of view.  I think we often read stories and only see the author's point of view, but it is refreshing when an author takes a different view from the norm.