Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Abrams , 2010 ISBN: 978-0810989412
Once upon a time, there were three little pigs who lived in a house in the woods with their mother. When they were grown up enough, they left their mother’s home and set off “to make their way in the world.”
The first pig build his house using scraps, and the second (being fond of a modern look) built his house of glass. The third little pig wanted to have a house that was built of stone and concrete. He wanted a home that was strong and secure.
It was a good thing that he built such a house, because soon a wicked wolf came along and it wasn’t long before his huffing and puffing (per the age old story) rendered the two other little pigs homeless. Try as he might the wolf could not blow down the third pig’s house. It was just too strong. The wolf tried to trick the third little pig in a number of ways, but the little pig was always one step ahead of his wicked adversary. Would the wolf ever give up on his campaign?
In this charming retelling of the Three Little Pigs, Steven Guarnaccia gives the tale an interesting twist. His pigs have an interest in design and architecture, and their homes are actually duplicates of three homes built by three famous architects. The first pig lives in a home similar to one designed by Frank Gehry. The second, lives in Philip Johnson’s glass house, and the third resides in Falling Water, Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous house. Throughout the book, readers will see interesting and famous pieces of furniture, decorations, buildings, and even vehicles in the illustrations. Annotated illustrations in the back and front covers of the book identify who designed these items.
