School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

PreS-Gr 3 According to John Scieszka, we have all been misled concerning the tale of the three little pigs. The true story, as told by Alexander T. Wolf to Scieszka, was really about the quest for a cup of sugar and a very bad cold. After his terrible sneezes destroyed the first two houses belonging to the little pigs, Mr. Wolf had to eat those victims because it would have been a waste to leave "a perfectly good ham dinner" lying there! And when the third little pig insulted his dear, sweet grandmother, the wolf reacted as any loyal grandson would, huffing and puffing and trying to knock down the pig's door. The truth is that Mr. Wolf was framed, since the story of a bow tie-clad wolf going door to door in search of a cup of sugar needed to bake a cake for his granny is not exciting enough for the newspapers. Lane Smith's sepia-toned illustrations spring to life, with added animation and wonderful movement between scenes. Narrated matter-of-factly by Paul Giamatti, the tale is accompanied by Chris Thomas King's jazzy musical score which is perfectly suited to the sophisticated but light-hearted mood. Optional subtitles are available. In an interview with the author and the illustrator, they discuss how the book came to be and reveal how their close relationship and unique brand of humor help them create imaginative books. An outstanding picture book (Viking, 1989) has been made even better as it springs to life in DVD format. MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

ALA Booklist

Scieszka's sardonic retelling (1989) of the old tale from the wolf's point of view is given new life in this read-along. Giamatti's soft, slightly raspy voice is a perfect, satiric match for Lane Smith's stylized, hip illustrations. Adding an occasional chuckle at appropriate moments, Giamatti creates a full-bodied characterization of Alexander T. Wolf as he tells his side of the story, making the case that he was framed. Sound effects for the wolf's huge sneezes excellently back up his claims that a bad cold caused the destruction of the pigs' houses of straw and twigs. Understated music never overwhelms this fine production, which includes a hardcover book. The title is also available in DVD for $59.95.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Designed with uncommon flair,"""" said PW, this """"gaily newfangled version of the classic tale"""" takes sides with the villain. """"Imaginative watercolors eschew realism, further updating the tale."""" A Spanish-language reprint will be issued simultaneously ($4.99, -055758-X). Ages 3-8. (Mar.)

School Library Journal (Tue Dec 03 00:00:00 CST 2024)

Gr 1 Up--Victim for centuries of a bad press, Alexander (You can call me Al'') T. Wolf steps forward at last to give his side of the story. Trying to borrow a cup of sugar to make a cake for his dear old Granny, Al calls on his neighbors--and can he help it if two of them built such shoddy houses? A couple of sneezes, a couple of dead pigs amidst the wreckage and, well, it would be shame to let those ham dinners spoil, wouldn't it? And when the pig in the brick house makes a nasty comment about Granny, isn't it only natural to get a little steamed? It's those reporters from the Daily Pig that made Al out to be Big and Bad, that caused him to be arrested and sent to the (wait for it) Pig Pen.I was framed,'' he concludes mournfully. Smith's dark tones and sometimes shadowy, indistinct shapes recall the distinctive illustrations he did for Merriam's Halloween ABC (Macmillan, 1987); the bespectacled wolf moves with a rather sinister bonelessness, and his juicy sneezes tear like thunderbolts through a dim, grainy world. It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny.--John Peters, New York Public Library