The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell and Jim Harris
1. Bibliographic-
Lowell, Susan. The Three Little Javelinas. Ill. by Jim Harris. Arizona: Rising Moon, 1992.
ISBN 0-87358-542-9
ISBN 0-87358-542-9
2. Summary-
Three sibling javelinas (southwestern relative of pigs) set off on their own journeys to live
life and make a home in the southwest desert. As each sibling attempts to build their homes
- one of tumbleweeds, one of saguaros ribs, and the other of adobe- a trickster coyote
follows them, trying to get a good meal. The coyote destroys the first two javelinas’ homes,
and they run to their sister’s adobe brick house. Together they withstand the coyote’s
attack, and send him howling into the desert.
life and make a home in the southwest desert. As each sibling attempts to build their homes
- one of tumbleweeds, one of saguaros ribs, and the other of adobe- a trickster coyote
follows them, trying to get a good meal. The coyote destroys the first two javelinas’ homes,
and they run to their sister’s adobe brick house. Together they withstand the coyote’s
attack, and send him howling into the desert.
3. Critical analysis-
A twist on the classic three little pigs, the Three Little Javelinas teaches about patience,
cleverness, and perseverance of the siblings running from a coyote. This tale is set in the
Sonoran desert, and it moves quickly in its descriptions of the javelinas’ homes. Susan Lowell
uses materials found and used in the southwest for their homes, and weaves hints of
languages found in the region into the story, with a little pourquoi at the end stating that
coyotes howl because they remember being nearly cooked by the javelinas. Jim Harris’s
illustrations set the tone of the southwest; outfits, landscapes, and bright sun. You’ll feel hot
and thirsty just looking at them! There’s a hidden mouse in each of the three houses which
is a fun little surprise once you notice it. This version of the three little pigs does a good job
of retelling a classic, while incorporating cultural elements and combining tales from the
Tohono O’Odham (desert people), and including accurate animals, weather patterns, and
vegetation into the illustrations.
cleverness, and perseverance of the siblings running from a coyote. This tale is set in the
Sonoran desert, and it moves quickly in its descriptions of the javelinas’ homes. Susan Lowell
uses materials found and used in the southwest for their homes, and weaves hints of
languages found in the region into the story, with a little pourquoi at the end stating that
coyotes howl because they remember being nearly cooked by the javelinas. Jim Harris’s
illustrations set the tone of the southwest; outfits, landscapes, and bright sun. You’ll feel hot
and thirsty just looking at them! There’s a hidden mouse in each of the three houses which
is a fun little surprise once you notice it. This version of the three little pigs does a good job
of retelling a classic, while incorporating cultural elements and combining tales from the
Tohono O’Odham (desert people), and including accurate animals, weather patterns, and
vegetation into the illustrations.
4. Review Excerpts and Awards-
Arizona Young Readers Award, 1994
Grand Canyon Reader Award, 1994
“This clever and flavorful change of scene puts a diverting spin on an old favorite.”
- Publisher’s Weekly
- Publisher’s Weekly
“This engaging retelling appears in both Spanish and English, and has many accurate regional
details. The text is fast-paced and witty in both languages, and is accompanied by energetic,
full-page illustrations done in rich earthy tones that evoke the setting as faithfully as the text.
Whether read aloud or in amused solitude, this is a picture book that will be enjoyed again and
again.” -School Library Journal
details. The text is fast-paced and witty in both languages, and is accompanied by energetic,
full-page illustrations done in rich earthy tones that evoke the setting as faithfully as the text.
Whether read aloud or in amused solitude, this is a picture book that will be enjoyed again and
again.” -School Library Journal
5. Connections-
Writing connection:
Compare and contrast with a more traditional version of The Three Little Pigs.
STEM Connection: Build a house that can withstand the wolf/coyote’s attack
https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/architectural-stem-project-kids/
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