The Three Little Javelinas (Reading Rainbow Book) [Hardcover]

Susan Lowell (Author), Jim Harris (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Everyone knows the story of the three little pigs, but now you're going to meet the three little javelinas (pronounced ha-ve-LEE-nas)-loveable, wild, southwestern cousins of pigs. Living in homes built out of tumbleweeds and saguaro ribs (from the fallen giant cacti), the first two javelinas are soon running from the hungry coyote, who had hoped to eat them with red chile sauce. And where do they go for shelter? Why, to their wise sister's house, made strong with adobe bricks. This clever and humorous tale is sure to delight children of all ages, especially those familiar with the Southwest. Dressed in cowboy duds and prepared for life in the rugged desert, these characters are more than any coyote bargained for.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers 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. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?In this humorous Southwestern variant of the familiar story, three desert javelinas (hairy cousins to the ordinary pig) set off one day to seek their fortunes. The first makes his home from a pile of tumbleweeds. Soon after, Coyote arrives and effortlessly blows it away to get at the plump little creature. Shaken, the portly javelina runs to his brother's house, which is built from the sticks of a dried saguaro cactus. Coyote, as sneaky as he is quick, demolishes that shaky structure and sends two frightened javelinas running into the desert. The brothers eventually find refuge in the home of their sister. This smart little javelina has constructed her home out of sturdy adobe bricks. Unable to huff and a puff his way in, Coyote tries entering through the stove pipe on the roof. When sister javelina realizes what he is up to, she quickly lights her pot-belly stove and sends Coyote howling into the desert (an action he repeats to this day). This engaging retelling appears in both Spanish and English, and has many accurate regional details. The text is fast-paced and witty in both languages, and is accompanied by energetic, full-page illustrations done in rich earthy tones that evoke the setting as faithfully as the text. Whether read aloud or in amused solitude, this is a picture book that will be enjoyed again and again.?Donna J. Murray, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Publishing Llc; 1st edition (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873585429
• ISBN-13: 978-0873585422
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 10.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and multicultural, December 6, 2000

By 

Tim Hundsdorfer (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Three Little Javelinas (Reading Rainbow Book) (Hardcover)

My girls and I have read this book many times. The subtle multiculturalism of the book comes across in a humorous, pleasant way. Coyote is the consumate trickster of generic Native American folklore, and the javelinas get help from Native and Latino people in the construction of their homes. The drawings are well done and the story sticks close to the classical version with a dash of southwestern spice. Recommended for children 3-7 and their parents.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just delightful! A fun, new telling of one of my favorites., April 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Three Little Javelinas (Reading Rainbow Book) (Hardcover)

I love the less gruesome details--the way I always told it--with nobody actually eaten or hurt. And I appreciate the new southwestern vocabulary, expressions, and illustrations. My grandchildren love it. And my grown-up children all had to read it, too.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for teaching second language skills to your children!!, October 29, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Los tres pequeños jabalíes / The Three Little Javelinas (Hardcover)

I'd like to reserve the "10" for vaarious editions of the bible and/or Shakespeare, but this English-Spanish new-age Southwestern styled rendition of the old stand-by "The Three Little Pigs" will have you and your kids just roaring with laughter as you also sneak in some serious home learning on a second language. The Javelinas will keep you on the edge of your seat in the dust of the great Southwest. Fun and real learning in one package...a great gift for your kids who are fascinated by new versions of the old favorite fairytales and interested in language skill development.