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THE PIG WHO WENT HOME ON SUNDAY: AN APPALACHIAN FOLKTALE

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Davis, Donald. 2004. THE PIG WHO WENT HOME ON SUNDAY: AN APPALACHIAN FOLKTALE Ill. By Jennifer Mazzucco. Little Rock, AR: August House Little Folk. ISBN 0-87483-571-2

2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this Appalachian folktale, based on the three little pigs of fairytale fame, Mama Pig sends her three boys into the world, one-by-one. “It is time for you to go and learn to take care of yourself,” she tells the first two. The illustrations paint their faces with worry. Their cheeks are tinged white and their eyes droop a sad sight. Mama Pig reminds each one: “If you have to build a house, build it out of rocks and bricks. And please come home to see your mama on Sunday!” Alas, the first two are tricked by the wolf to build weaker houses. Mazzucco’s wolf is harsh, with a long snout and sharp teeth. It is no surprise they meet a sad fate and do not return home on Sunday, "Gulp!” Meanwhile, the third pig is a bit wiser and takes what he needs to care for himself. The wolf tries to trick him, too, but this last little pig churns out a trick of his own. And he does, indeed, return home on Sunday. The pebbled road leads the little pig right to his mama’s house, with the Appalachian Mountains a purple majesty behind her.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a cautionary tale with sage advice: Listen to your mama! Unlike many retellings, this story does not rescue the first two little pigs. Mazzucco’s illustrations foreshadow their fate with worry lines and sad eyes. The sadness is balanced by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains on display in the final pages. This would serve an older group of children best, especially when studying cause and effect or discussing personal choices and consequences.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The illustrations are big and bright with scenery that echoes the Appalachian Mountains.”
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: “In his variation on The Three Little Pigs, Davis spins a cautionary tale about heeding the words of grown-ups.”

5. CONNECTIONS
* Both Donald Davis and Jennifer Mazzucco have author pages to visit.
* Awards: NAPPA Children’s Resources Gold Award and Notable Trade Books for Young People

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