It all starts out quite fine and familiar with “once upon a time,” but things quickly take a very unusual turn in David Wiesner’s brilliantly conceived version of “The Three Little Pigs.” “Hey, he blew me right out of the story!” exclaims the first little pig after the wolf does his huffing and puffing. And though it takes the wolf a little while to notice, the three little pigs have, indeed, made their escape. They cavort with glee against the otherwise blank pages, then fold one into a paper airplane, board it, and soar into the air. A rough landing leads to a scary foray in a nursery rhyme book full of saccharine illustrations. They leave with the cat-and-the-fiddle tagging along, entering a tale of castles and dragons. When the dragon is about to be slain, the pigs help him escape. Their continued passage through different books eventually leads them back to the original story. But this time, the pigs take charge, and the dragon makes a very powerful ally. Children, young teenagers, and adults, too, will find great pleasure and humor in the unexpected turns of this tale. Winner, CCBC Caldecott Award Discussion (Age 4 and older)

This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book begins placidly (and familiarly) enough, with three pigs collecting materials and going off to build houses of straw, sticks, and bricks. But the wolf's huffing and puffing blows the first pig right out of the story . . . and into the realm of pure imagination. The transition signals the start of a freewheeling adventure with characteristic David Wiesner effects-cinematic flow, astonishing shifts of perspective, and sly humor, as well as episodes of flight.
Satisfying both as a story and as an exploration of the nature of story, The Three Pigs takes visual narrative to a new level. Dialogue balloons, text excerpts, and a wide variety of illustration styles guide the reader through a dazzling fantasy universe to the surprising and happy ending. Fans of Tuesday's frogs and Sector 7's clouds will be captivated by old friends-the Three Pigs of nursery fame and their companions-in a new guise.