The Three Little Javelinas

Book Title: The Three Little Javelinas

Author(s): Susan Lowell

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Jim Harris

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Copyright Date: 1992

Genre: Picturebook, Folktale, Culturally Diverse, Fantasy

Brief Annotation: This is a culturally diverse spin on the class story of The Three Little Pigs. Based in the Southwestern part of the country, the three little Javelinas, or wild, hairy, southwestern cousins of pigs, ventured out into the desert. The two brothers and one sister went out to find their fortunes. The desert was hot and they needed to find some place to rest their heads. The first came upon some tumbleweed, the next came upon some saguaros, and the sister came upon some adobe bricks. They each built their house but when the mean coyote came to try and eat them, the only house that stayed up was the sister’s adobe house. The coyote didn’t stand a chance in blowing this house down and the three little Javelinas lived happily ever after.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – This book introduces children to a new way of thinking about a popular folktale that most of them already know about. It introduces new words and new cultures to the children. The illustrations are detailed and fantastic. It demonstrates that even though all cultures are different, the stories can be translated.

Readers who will like this book: Young children who have curious minds and enjoy new ways of looking at things. Children that are familiar with the traditional story of The Three Little Pig but are open minded to new changes as well.

Teaching Strategy from Tompkins or Yopp & Yopp: For this book, as well as other folktale comparison books, I think a great strategy would be to use Venn Diagrams. From page 129 of Tompkins a teacher could have the students compare and contrast a number of different things. They could compare the individual characters, the first, second and third pigs and their houses. They could do the Coyote vs. the Big Bad Wolf. They could compare and contrast the different cultures. It would be a good way to test their comprehension of the different folktales. Students could use art in their Venn diagrams to integrate other content areas. This type of strategy allows to students to visualize the differences and similarities within two stories.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Can you think of some differences there are in your culture versus the types of cities they have in Southwestern cultures? (If in a Southern city, ask about differences in Northern cities)

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 3 – 5

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 4.0

3. List awards: Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award

4. Does this book have a book trailer? No