The Three Ninja Pigs - Hardcover

Schwartz, Corey Rosen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399255141 ISBN 13: 9780399255144

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2012

Synopsis

Practice makes perfect in this kick-butt fractured fairy tale, illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat.

Why does this wolf think he can come to town and blow all the houses down? These three little pigs just aren't going to take it from that bully anymore! The first starts aikido lessons—he'll make mincemeat out of that wolf! His brother learns a little jujitsu—he'll chop that guy to pieces!

But when the wolf actually appears, it turs out these two pigs aren't quite ready after all. Good thing their sister has been training every day to master some serious karate moves that save the day. KIYA!

Corey Rosen Schwartz serves up a fun combination of smart-aleck dialogue and tongue-in-cheek rhymes that'll have kids howling, and rising star Dan Santat's spunky illustrations are sure to pack a punch! Be sure to look for just-as-clever companion books Ninja Red Riding Hood and Hensel & Gretel: Ninja Chicks!

About this title

About the Author

Corey Rosen Schwartz has no true ninja training, but she can sure kick butt in Scrabble. She lives in Warren, New Jersey, with her two kiddie-chans and her incredibly patient husband-san..

Dan Santat holds a black belt in Shotokan. He lives with his family in Alhambra, California.

Reviews

K-Gr 2-In this fractured fairy tale, three little pigs are portrayed as frustrated siblings fed up with a wolf that loves to huff and puff and blow houses down. In an attempt to protect their homes in their Japanese village, they train at a Ninja school. As the first brother begins aikido lessons, he finds himself bored and drops out, which gives him little defense when the wolf comes to call. Pig Two attempts his skill at jujitsu but his confidence is larger than his capabilities, and he is no match for the villain. Their sister is the only one who studies well and practices until she masters karate. When the wolf arrives at her door, she settles the score and sends him running. Learning a lesson from their gutsy sister, the brothers return to their classes with more determination and success. Unlike the original tale, the pigs are given responsibility for their misfortune and a chance for improvement. The story has a clear message that success requires perseverance. The text and glossary include martial-arts terms. Santat's artwork is in manga style and has wonderful depictions of Japanese scenery and architecture. The pigs are full of motion and emotion as they train and battle with the wolf. Youngsters with an interest in martial arts and those seeking strong female characters will relish this picture book.-Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CTα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This riotous rumble of a takeoff begins with three pigs—two brothers and a sister—saying enough to the huffy puffy wolf destroying houses in their town. So it’s off to the ninja school, where the first brother takes up aikido, but he drops out in two weeks. The second brother takes jujitsu and makes good progress, but he is too impatient to keep up his lessons. Only sister pig, a karate student, becomes so skilled that she can break boards by “performing a perfect pork chop!” Anyone who knows the original story will be well aware of what comes next, but this standout version has so much motion, action, and laughs, kids will feel like they’re hearing it for the first time. Schwartz’s clever rhyming text flows nicely, and illustrator Santat (who holds a black belt in shotokan) really gets into things. Executed in Sumi brushwork on rice paper (and completed in Adobe Photoshop), the pictures have a three-dimensional feel that’s great when kicks and chops are being executed. Sayonara, Mr. Wolf. Preschool-Grade 3. --Ilene Cooper

Edition details

• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0399255141
• ISBN 13: 9780399255144
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Santat Dan
• Number of pages: 40