By Amanda Alexander, Graduate Assistant, McLure Education Library
Jon Scieszka’s popular children’s book, illustrated by Lane Smith, tells the well-known tale of the Three Little Pigs from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf. First published in 1989, the book became a bestseller practically overnight and has gone on to sell over 2 million copies to date. Before it was picked up for publication by Viking, Scieszka’s book had been turned down countless times. At that time the book brought something new to the table-sophisticated humor and controversy about a children’s book. The controversy involved the twisted take on a traditional folk tale and spawned a new genre of what is now called “twisted” or “fractured fairy tales”. Audiences responded and Scieszka and Lane partnered up again for the creation of a handful of other works, with 1992’s The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales among them. They both have strong solo careers as well but continue to remain sentimental about the book that started their careers.
The 25th Anniversary edition of The True Story of The Three Little Pigs is on sale now and showcases a new jacket designed by Smith and includes a surprise letter written by A. Wolf! Copies of the original 1989 edition are available for checkout in School Library located in the basement of McLure.