The Three Little Javelinas

The Three Little Javelinas

By: Susan Lowell








BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lowell, Susan. 1992. The Three Little Javelinas. Ill. by Jim Harris. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing. ISBN 0873585429

PLOT SUMMARY

In this Southwestern version of the well known tale, three little javelinas set off to find their fortune. Javelinas are related to swine, but are not true pigs. They do, however, have very hairy chinny chin chins! The author depicts the beauties of the locale by having the characters build their homes out of tumbleweed, saguaro cactus ribs, and adobe bricks, respectively. The wolf in this story is, instead, the trickster coyote. He meets with a similar fate to his predecessors in earlier versions of the Three Little Pigs stories, except in this case it is used to explain why the coyote still howls to this day.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Susan Lowell has crafted a nifty version of the familiar Three Little Pigs story that is a wonderful addition to any classroom library or fairy tale unit. Her characters are the epitome of innocence as they wander out into the world dressed to the nines in their western gear. They are simple characters wanting nothing more than a good shelter, but the trickster coyote (here representing the wolf of old) is lurking in the desert. The author, having chosen the desert as the setting, is wisely paired with an illustrator who can convey that through every detail on the page. We see tumbleweeds, cactus, and desert landscaping in a rich palate of browns, yellows, and greens. Jim Harris' depictions of the javelinas are endearing in nature and highly detailed, with authentic "cowboy" touches added in for good measure.

The theme of good versus evil is prevalent in this tale as the Coyote attempts to eat Javelina #1, #2, and finally, #3. Of course, good wins again! The reader will pick up on the use of magic in this story as well when Coyote makes himself smaller to fit down the stovepipe, and the number 3 is ever popular throughout. This story also seeks to explain, in a funny yet sensible way, the beginnings of why the coyote howls.

The author has a firm sense of style, as this is a highly stylized version of the Three Little Pigs. It, of course, begins with "Once upon a time" and ends with "...and they all lived happily ever after", but it's the in-between that is unique. While the setting is described as Southwestern, it is written in such a way that it could logically be any dry area in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, or Mexico. Susan Lowell draws in Native American and Spanish culture through the javelinas interacting with Desert People and the brick-maker. This is a reality, as the local Tohono O'odham tribe build brush shelters, sticks and mud ramadas, and mud adobes.

This book is also available in a version where the Spanish text is printed on the same page as the English, thus making it available and pertinent to a larger group of readers. The author takes the time to write an explanatory note at both the beginning and end of the story, with extra information regarding the environment in which the story is set and the culture which it attempts to depict. Overall, Susan Lowell has done a fantastic job creating a true cultural variant of the Three Little Pigs story and, paired with Jim Harris' illustrations, what is sure to be a class favorite!

REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

*Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education

*Mockingbird Award, 1993-1994; Nominee, Texas

*Listed as part of the Reading Rainbow Series

*Starred review from Publisher's Weekly..."In this retelling of The Three Little Pigs set in the American Southwest, the cherished porkers are transformed into javelinas, the hairy, swinelike creatures also known as peccaries. Their pursuer, no longer the wolf of traditional lore, becomes Coyote, that ubiquitous Southwestern trickster. In her first book for children, Lowell spices the story with elements of Native American, Mexican, and Old West culture. Javelina No. 1 builds his house of tumbleweed, while his brother relies on saguaro ribs. Twice Coyote huffs and puffs and the lightweight dwellings fall, but the peccaries are saved by their resourceful sister, who has had the foresight to build her home of stout adobe bricks. 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. Sprightly fun."

*Starred review from Children's Literature..."Most kids know the Three Little Pigs, so try this Wild West version of an old fable. Scurrying from a tumbleweed shack to a sagauro rib hut to an adobe brick house, three pint-sized wild pigs try to outwit a huffing, puffing big, bad coyote. Life lessons on preparation, teamwork, and common sense make this a good reminder for intermediate students."

*Starred review from Parent Council..."A Southwestern adaptation on the Three Little Pigs. Wonderful, funny illustrations enliven this familiar text that is a delightful introduction to a blend of Native American, Mexican, and Anglo cultures. Unfamiliar words have pronunciation in (). Introduction and message at end of story greatly add to informational content and enjoyment of this new version for the 3-8 year old."

CONNECTIONS

*Students can learn more about the desert, where this story takes place. This might include researching about landforms, climate, plants, and animals. The class can also study what adaptations people and animals have made in order to live in such a climate.

*Students can write a "Shape Poem". Have them imagine the twirling whirlwind, rolling tumbleweed, rays of the hot sun, or the adobe house. Assist them in brainstorming describing words or phrases. Then they write the poem about the image they have chosen, and after that they draw that particular shape around their poem.

*For a modern writing twist, have the students practice summarizing as if they are one of the characters writing Facebook updates or Tweets. In sequential order, have students create Facebook posts that are 420 characters or less, or Tweets limited to 140 characters. An example might be..."Coyote is on the roof. Coming down the stove pipe. He won't like what's waiting."

*There is a web link listed below where the illustrator, Jim Harris, talks about illustrating this book. The students can watch the short clip to gain more insight into what an illustrator does and the processes they use.
http://jimharrisillustrator.com/ChildrensBooks/Books/Thethreelittlejavelinas.html

*YouTube has a 20 minute segment (in two pieces) on this story. The Southwest String Quartet does a reading and musical interpretation of the story that is really cool to listen to. Each member of the quartet "plays" a different character in the story. This would be an exciting closing activity. From the YouTube page, search "the three little javelinas".