Susan Lowell

Preschool students and beyond will enjoy this funny and clever book that retells the classic story of the Three Little Pigs. The tale takes place in the Southwest and follows the javelinas throughout their journey. The javelinas encounter a coyote (rather than a big bad wolf) that is a trickster and wants to eat the javelinas. Read this story to see who outsmarts who. Does the coyote get to eat the javelinas with red chili sauce?

Not much more explanation is needed than "The Three Little Pigs" recast as javelinas outsmarting a coyote. Well told, well drawn, well done.

Independent reading level: 2nd to 3rd grade

Awards: Spur Story Teller Award, 2001.

I loved the Arizona connection and this inspired me to think more about how i want books in my classroom to include places and things that feel familiar, and that they might come across. Of course this is true for diversity, but also animals, nature, etc.