Book Review: ECO-WOLD AND THE THREE PIGS by Laurence Anholt and Arthur Robins

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anholt, Laurence, and Arthur Robins. Eco-Wolf and the Three Pigs. Minneapolis, MN: Compass Point Books, 2004. ISBN: 0756506301.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

In this environmental spin-off of the traditional tale of The Three Little Pigs, the wolf, a peace-loving, eco-friendly hippie, is the protagonist trying desperately to maintain the pristine and unspoiled valley where he lives surrounded by fresh air, flowers, and friendly animals. He spends his time trying to invent tools to help him diminish his environmental footprint and improve his valley at the same time. The pigs, on the other hand, are definitely NOT interested in the environment. They are very static antagonists who continually infringe on the wolf’s efforts to keep the valley green. The wolf only huffs and puffs in exasperation, but never in the presence of the pigs. Rather the birds and animals sabotage the pigs' housing, eventually persuading the pigs it isn’t financially beneficial to build in the valley.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story will be familiar to children because they will recognize the wolf and pigs from the more traditional tale. They will also understand the ties to preserving the environment and not destroying nature. Only the most astute children are likely to relate to the hippie elements throughout the book, however. The wolf sports beads and a peace sign and uses language from a much earlier era. These aspects of the story don’t necessarily detract from it, but may not have the effect on a child that they would have on an adult.

On the other hand, the authors’ clever role reversal of the pigs and the wolf is interesting to see unfold. The pigs first build a cottage with a satellite dish, but when the birds carry the straw away they decide to build a house with several bedrooms, a pool, a garage, and other perks. The moles destroy it from the foundation, but the pigs continue undeterred and build a high-rise apartment, a shopping mall, and a freeway. Children will be able to see the humor in the pigs' building plans and also understand, mostly through the simple illustrations, the damage these things do to the valley.

Although much of the book is cliché, the overall story is a cute take on the traditional tale. It is worth a read, if only once.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

None

5. CONNECTIONS

*This would be a good book to use in a literature unit comparing stories and styles. Students could read and compare several different versions of The Three Little Pigs and compare their similarities and differences.  

*Other versions of The Three Little Pigs:

Golden Books. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. ISBN: 0736423125.

Pichon, Liz. THE THREE HORRID LITTLE PIGS. ISBN: 1589254236.

Scieszka, Jon. THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS. ISBN 0140544518.

Trivizas, Eugene. THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. ISBN: 068981528X.

Wiesner, David. THE THREE PIGS. ISBN: 0618007016.