The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell

Image Credit: jimharrisillustrator.com

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lowell, Susan. 1992. THE THREE LITTLE JAVELINAS. Ill. by Jim Harris. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Pub. ISBN 0873585429

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Written by Susan Lowell, this book is a southwestern version of the famous folktale The Three Little Pigs. In this adaptation, three javelinas set out to live on their own each taking a different path. There is no mention of mom pushing them out the door. Javelinas, also known as peccaries, are hairy wild pigs. The three javelinas, two male and one female, trek across the desert in search of materials to build a home. A house of tumbleweeds made by the first little javelina and a house of saguaro sticks made by the second little javelina prove to be insufficient structures against the wiles of a local coyote, but the third javelina, a female, builds a house of adobe bricks. Her home proves to be too strong for the malicious coyote to destroy, and it becomes a safe haven for all three little javelinas.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story is well written and stays true to its southwestern flavor of The Three Little Pigs. Descriptions of the desert setting with cacti, tumbleweeds, dust storms, palo verde trees, and the mention of heat are certainly typical of the Southwest. Native animals like the coyote, javelinas, mice, and rabbits are accurately portrayed. From the beginning, Susan Lowell takes the time to incorporate the pronunciation transcription of words that may be new to the readers. “Javelinas (Ha-ve-LEE-nas)” and “saguaros (sa-WA-ros)” are annotated as such to aid the readers. Familiar phrases like “Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin” and “Then I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house in!” clearly remind us of the traditional tale of The Three Little Pigs that this story was based on.
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The illustrations compliment the text perfectly. The pictures are full of color with an emphasis on the earth tones that are so prevalent in the southwest. Vivid details are employed. Individual strands of fur, drops of sweat, and needles on the cacti are present. The javelinas are dressed in stereotypical southwestern gear such as cowboy hats, boots, chaps, bandanas, and belts. Pictures of dry landscapes with purple mountains, cacti, rocks, mice, rabbits, snakes, and skulls fill the pages. There is humor spread throughout the story as well. Notice that the short lived tumbleweed house has an antenna. The house of saguaro sticks has a “(do) NOT disturb” sign on it, and the Mona Lisa is hanging inside the third house built out of adobe bricks. Look closely and see that a small mouse is hidden in many of the illustrations.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publishers Weekly¬: “This clever and flavorful change of scene puts a diverting spin on an old favorite.”
Booklist: “Harris' illustrations are appealing and humorous…
School Library Journal: “Whether read aloud or in amused solitude, this is a picture book that will be enjoyed again and again.”
Grand Canyon Reader Award
Reading Rainbow Book

5. CONNECTIONS
• This book could be explored with other versions of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS.
Grace, Will. THREE LITTLE FISH AND THE BIG BAD SHARK. ISBN 0439719623
Ketteman, Helen. THE THREE LITTLE GATORS. ISBN 9780807578247
Artell, Mark. THREE LITTLE CAJUN PIGS. ISBN 0803728158
• Look at other books illustrated by Jim Harris.
TORTOISE AND THE JACKRABBIT. ISBN 0873585860
JACK AND THE GIANT. ISBN 0873586808
PETITIE ROUGE. ISBN 0142500704