Three Little Pigs
Once Upon a Time (Harper) Series
on Goodreads (25)
What’s inside...
Take a great story and lots of silly sounds, mix with a happy helping of children, and you have a recipe for a Kaye Umansky Noisy Picture Book. Riotously funny retellings of favourite tales as you have never heard them before. Mummy Pig waves goodbye to her three little trotters as they sing themselves off down the road to build new homes. What a din they make with their straw, sticks and bricks and what a gale the Wolf blows up when they won't let him into their proud little houses. But the Three Little Pigs have the noisiest last laugh for all to join in.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-4
Length
20 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Third Little Pig
Second Little Pig
First Little Pig
Big Bad Wolf
Discussion points
What do you think made each pig choose the material they used to build their house?
How do the different houses represent the pigs' personalities?
Why do you think the wolf was unable to blow down the house made of bricks?
What lessons can we learn about preparation and hard work from the three little pigs?
How did the pigs react when the wolf came to their door, and what would you do in a similar situation?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by reflecting on the story's problem and solution structure. Encourage your child to think critically by asking what alternative solutions could have been used. Discuss the moral of the story and how it might apply to real-life scenarios your child could face. Lastly, emphasize the themes of hard work and resilience, encouraging your child to share moments when they have demonstrated or could demonstrate similar qualities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of hard work and dedication
Explanation: In the story, the third pig demonstrates diligence by taking the time to build a sturdy house out of bricks, while his siblings opt for quicker, less reliable solutions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of putting effort into their tasks and projects, understanding that careful planning and hard work usually lead to better outcomes.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: As the wolf attempts to trick the pigs, the third pig uses his wit to outsmart him at every turn.
Real-World Application: This illustrates the importance of thinking critically and creatively to solve problems, a skill that can help children navigate challenges in school and in life.
Example Lesson: The repercussions of laziness
Explanation: The first two pigs build their houses quickly with weak materials and suffer the consequences when the wolf easily destroys them.
Real-World Application: This can teach children about the long-term effects of cutting corners and the potential negative outcomes of laziness.
Example Lesson: The strength of unity and teamwork
Explanation: The story culminates with the pigs coming together to find safety in the brick house, showcasing the effectiveness of working together.
Real-World Application: Children learn that collaboration can often lead to greater safety and success than working alone.