Lowel, Susan, Ill. Jim Harris. 1992. THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS. Flagstaff: Norhtland Publishing. ISBN 0873585429.
Plot Summary:
This unique adaptation of the classic tale of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS is based in the desert, similar to the North American Southwest, where three javelinas, instead of pigs, are the protagonists and a coyote which represents the big bad wolf. The story follows the theme of the original with adaptations made to the details, such as the homes being made from tumble weed, saguaro ribs, and adobe bricks rather than straw, sticks, and bricks, respectively. They each build their homes using these local materials and are harassed by a coyote who wants to eat them. After near escapes the first two javelinas end up at their sister’s house, which is made from adobe bricks that the coyote cannot blow down. Foiled by his attempts to eat the three javelinas he howls in the night to vent out his frustration.
Critical Analysis:
The three javelinas are the protagonists of the story who represent the three little pigs and the coyote, the antagonist representing the big bad wolf of the traditional tale of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. The three javelinas are two brothers and a sister, and the sister is the one that was smart enough to build her house out of adobe bricks. The story is set in the desert, seemingly that of the North American Southwest, but these surroundings may be found in Texas, New Mexico, California, and Northern Mexico. The scene is depicted vibrantly in the Jim Harris' illustrations which show saguaro cactus, desert sands, mountains and boulders, desert animals, and sun-beaten cow skulls.
The story is based on the classic
European-American tale of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS with characters of three diverse cultures and a bit of Native American folklore in the mix. The story teaches how poor planning and laziness
can lead to a disastrous end, while good planning and hard work may be the best
course of action. It also shows illustrates to the reader that good prevails over evil,
ending in a positive result for the three javelinas.
The illustrations of the story help the reader understand the setting and actions as they read along. The setting is shown using wide open desert scenes, saguaro cactus, desert sands, and indigenous desert animals like rattlesnakes. Several of the illustrations are done on two page spreads which allows for the reader to see a grand view of the desert backdrop. Nearly every illustration shows some action or movement which helps create a quickened pace to the story and the personifications of the javelinas and the coyote are done with humor by dressing them in western clothes.
The cultures depicted within the story are that of English speaker, reflected in the javelinas and the coyote characters, a Desert Person, and a Mexican or Mexican-American person. Each culture contributes to the flow of the story and adds an cultural element by the affirmation spoken and materials offer to build the javelina’s houses.
Review Excerpt:
THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS is a Reading Rainbow book which was reviewed by Publishers Weekly whose article stated that, “This clever and flavorful change of scene puts a diverting spin on an old favorite. Harris's lively, finely detailed illustrations, with the bristling, pink-nosed peccaries clad in cowboy outfits, amusingly contrast the villain's vigorous wiles with the title characters' cozy domesticity.” (January, 1992).
Connections:
This story is an adaptation of the classic tale of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, which has been told and retold over the centuries. It uses animals and elements of the desert southwest to retell a story that many children know, with differences in the characters, settings, and building materials used.
Personal Response:
I found the story to be a fresh version of the original with great wide open illustrations that show the grandeur of the setting. Even though I knew what was coming next, I was surprised by the use of difference cultures and elements that made the story new again. I would use this as a read-a-loud at my library for children between the ages of 5 to 8 years old in story times or during tours.
References:
The illustrations of the story help the reader understand the setting and actions as they read along. The setting is shown using wide open desert scenes, saguaro cactus, desert sands, and indigenous desert animals like rattlesnakes. Several of the illustrations are done on two page spreads which allows for the reader to see a grand view of the desert backdrop. Nearly every illustration shows some action or movement which helps create a quickened pace to the story and the personifications of the javelinas and the coyote are done with humor by dressing them in western clothes.
The cultures depicted within the story are that of English speaker, reflected in the javelinas and the coyote characters, a Desert Person, and a Mexican or Mexican-American person. Each culture contributes to the flow of the story and adds an cultural element by the affirmation spoken and materials offer to build the javelina’s houses.
Review Excerpt:
THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS is a Reading Rainbow book which was reviewed by Publishers Weekly whose article stated that, “This clever and flavorful change of scene puts a diverting spin on an old favorite. Harris's lively, finely detailed illustrations, with the bristling, pink-nosed peccaries clad in cowboy outfits, amusingly contrast the villain's vigorous wiles with the title characters' cozy domesticity.” (January, 1992).
Connections:
This story is an adaptation of the classic tale of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, which has been told and retold over the centuries. It uses animals and elements of the desert southwest to retell a story that many children know, with differences in the characters, settings, and building materials used.
Personal Response:
I found the story to be a fresh version of the original with great wide open illustrations that show the grandeur of the setting. Even though I knew what was coming next, I was surprised by the use of difference cultures and elements that made the story new again. I would use this as a read-a-loud at my library for children between the ages of 5 to 8 years old in story times or during tours.
References:
Harris, Jim, 2009. 51wRWD8gVwL._SL500_.jpg
http://www.jimharrisillustrator.com/ChildrensBooks/Books/Thethreelittlejavelinas.html
accessed September 22, 2013.
Publishers Weekly, 1992. The Three Little Javelinas Review,
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-87358-542-2 accessed September 22, 2013.
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