The Three Swingin' Pigs [Hardcover]

Vicky Rubin (Author), Rhode Montijo (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2007 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Can three jazzy pigs outfox a hungry wolf?

Satch, Mo, and Ella are the coolest cats--er, pigs--around. Satch
plays sax. Mo plays bass. And Ella sings scat-scooby-dooby, skit-scat-
skedoodle, shoooo!

When Wolfie shows up for the Big Pig Gig, ready to eat some barbecue, the jazzy trio smells trouble. Can these three swingin' pigs win Wolfie over with their vivacious vocals and toe-tapping tunes?

With cool-cat scats by Vicky Rubin and jazzy illustrations by talented new artist Rhode Montijo, this book will have readers dancin' up a storm.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–4—Toe-tapping, claw-snapping, and bebopping replace the usual huffing and puffing in this jazzed-up version of the traditional folktale. Porcine siblings Ella, Satch, and Mo have formed a trio that is all the rage with their animal audiences. Their successful musical future is in jeopardy, however, when Wolfie, a self-described "classic fairy-tale villain," decides to exact retribution for his failure to capture their uncles in earlier days. Will the three swingin' pigs win over Wolfie with their sweet music? Fortunately for them, he's a bit of a ham and loves performing. Full of porker-inspired puns and clever repartee, this fast-paced tale has definite appeal. The colorful, cartoonlike acrylic illustrations are a perfect match for the zany, slightly over-the-top story line. Whether used as part of a unit on fractured fairy tales or read independently just for fun, this version will have its audience howling.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“Montijo's red-hot pictures and Rubin's skit-scat-skedoodle words make this take-off a hand-clapping, foot-stomping romp.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The colorful, cartoonlike illustrations are a perfect match for the zany, slightly over-the-top storyline. . . . This version will have its audience howling.”
—School Library Journal

 

“Kids should get a kick out of this hip riff on an old standard.”
—Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (March 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805073353
• ISBN-13: 978-0805073355
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 10.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #850,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My five-year-old cousin and I love this book., August 11, 2007

By 

N. Schaefer (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Three Swingin' Pigs (Hardcover)

It's a gripping yet heartwarming story with memorable characters. The pictures are wonderfully wild, colorful, and expressive. The book captures the delight of making music.

Ella Fitzgerald once said, 'It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.' This story has got it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rip roaring fun!, September 4, 2010

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Three Swingin' Pigs (Hardcover)

I was assigned to read a retelling of the three little pigs tale in one of my graduate classes this semester and I found this whilst perusing the aisles at my local library. "The Three Swingin' Pigs" is an excellent example of a fractured fairy tale. Here, the three pigs (two males and a female) are descendants of the pigs in the original tale. They are also musically talented with a penchant for jazzy beats. When the Big Bad Wolf hears about their fame, he is determined to settle an old score by devouring them. Trouble is, Wolfie has a soft spot for good music, and the rest of the story sees how the three little pigs outwit the Big Bad Wolf.

Vicky Rubin's prose has an infectious rhythm to it which makes this a great read-aloud. In addition,the vivid color illustrations by Rhode Montijo lend the three pigs unique characteristics, making them appealing which is nicely contrasted with the mean-looking Wolfie. My kindergartener loved this book when we read it together, tapping our feet to the rhythms in the book!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Large, colorful drawings by Rhode Montijo enhance a colorful tale., June 10, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Three Swingin' Pigs (Hardcover)

Satch, Mo and Ella are cool pigs, so when Wolfie shows up for the Big pig Gig ready to eat meat, they can smell him coming - and they have a plan. The wolf is the 'baddest cat to walk the land' and also has the baddest breath and no friends: can the swinging pigs teach him something? Large, colorful drawings by Rhode Montijo enhance a colorful tale.