Aloha From The Three Little Hawaiian Pigs and the Magic Shark

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Laird, Donivee Martin. 1981. The Three Little Hawaiian Pigs and the Magic Shark. Ill. by Carol Jossem. Honolulu: Barnaby Books. ISBN 0-940350-19-X

PLOT SUMMARY

This story is a Hawaiian variant of the traditional tale, The Three Little Pigs.  Set in Hawaii, the story begins as the mother and father pig send their three little pigs out into the world to become grownups.   Along the way, the pigs find various materials to use to build their houses, including pili grass, driftwood, and lava rock.  The first two pigs build their houses quickly, but the third pig takes his time to build a sturdy and safe house out of the lava rocks.

When the houses are completed, the three pigs go out to the ocean to fish and surf.  They catch the attention of the magic shark, who decides he would like to eat them.  The magic shark carefully plans out how he will go about accomplishing this goal.  He arrives at the first pig's house dressed as a shave ice man, but when the pig won't open the door, he blows down his house.  The first pig runs to the home of the second pig.  The magic shark then shows up at the second pig's house dressed as a beach boy.  Not fooled by this disguise, the pigs won't open the door, and once again the shark blows down the house.  The two pigs narrowly escape to their brother's house.

This time, the magic shark arrives dressed as a lei seller.  Again, the pigs won't let him into the house, so he attempts to blow it down.  However, being as it is made of lava rock, he is unable to do so.  He blows and he blows until he is all out of air and looks like a deflated balloon.  The pigs roll him up and throw him away at the dump.

The story ends with the pigs working together to build two more houses out of lava rocks.  They have a party and live happily ever after.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Donivee Martin Laird has created a culturally authentic story while staying true to the story pattern of its more traditional predecessor.  Instead of building their houses out of straw, sticks, and bricks, Laird incorporates materials that are native to Hawaii.  Their houses, of course, are built right on the beach.  The three pigs enjoy fishing and surfing, two popular Hawaiian activities.  Seeing as there are no wolves in Hawaii, Laird makes the antagonist a shark, who just so happens to have magical powers that allow him to walk on land.  He disguises himself as three different types of people who can be found on the islands.  When dressed as a beach boy, the shark even carries a ukulele.  A ukulele is an essential part of Hawaiian culture; it is associated with the hula, a traditional Hawaiian dance.  

Laird also has seamlessly woven into her story a plethora of Hawaiian words.  From the name the adult pigs call their children, to the names of the many creatures the pigs fish for in the ocean, the native language of Hawaii is found throughout the book.  What is especially helpful is the glossary she includes at the end.  This spells out the definition of each Hawaiian word, in case the reader was unable to glean its meaning from the context in which it was used.

The pattern of the traditional tale is still present in this Hawaiian variation, which makes it feel familiar to the reader.  The first two pigs choose flimsy materials with which to build their houses, while the third pig uses something strong and sturdy.  At each house, the shark says, "Little pig, little pig, let me come in," to which the pig replies, "Not by the hair on my chinny, chin, chin."  The evil shark "huffs and he puffs" and blows down the first two houses, but he is unable to blow down the third.  In the end, the shark is defeated, and the three pigs live happily ever after, thereby sending the reader the message that good will always triumph over evil.

Carol Jossem's colorful illustrations help bring this story to life.  They are very detailed and extend the influence of the Hawaiian culture; she draws indigenous plants and flowers, volcanoes, coconuts, and even pineapples.  The pigs have very simple expressions on their faces, either looking happy or scared.  This helps illustrate their simple, uncomplicated nature.  The magic shark has ferocious teeth and a devious glint in his eye.  His disguises are detailed and especially humorous.  The use of bright colors really grabs the attention of the reader.  

I am very familiar with this story, as I used it as part of a literacy unit focusing on different variations of The Three Little Pigs when I taught third grade.  I have always thought highly of this book and jumped at the chance to review it on my blog.  It was, however, a brand new book for my children, and I really enjoyed seeing their reactions to it as we read it together.  My six year old daughter especially liked the illustrations.  She said, "I liked the part when the magic shark pretended to be a lei seller because he wore LIPSTICK, and he's really a boy!"  My four year old son told me this book made him want to go to the beach and try surfing.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

From a First Grade Teacher via AMAZON.COM - "This book was hilarious, and my first grade students absolutely loved it!  We used the book to compare and contrast the original fairy tale to this unique Hawaiian re-telling.  I can't describe to you the fun we had reading this story together.  It's a great addition to a teacher's collection of books dealing with Hawaii."

From the illustrator, Carol Jossem - "I am the illustrator of this book.  It is terrific in both storyline and ART.  It is a great way to introduce your children/classroom to the beauty and language of Hawaii."

CONNECTIONS

Read the traditional James Marshall version of The Three Little Pigs, as well as other cultural variations of the story, with your class.  Discuss the differences and also what is similar across all versions.  Here are a few ideas:

• Marshall, James. The Three Little Pigs. ISBN 0448422883
• Lowell, Susan. The Three Little Javelinas. ISBN 0873585429
• Kimmel, Eric A. The Three Little Tamales. ISBN 0761455191
• Artell, Mike. Three Little Cajun Pigs. ISBN 0803728158
• Brett, Jan. The 3 Little Dassies. ISBN 0399254994

Have your students write their own variation of The Three Little Pigs based on where they live.  What materials are common in your area of the world that the pigs could use to build their houses?  Is there another animal that is indigenous to where they live that could replace the pigs?

Use this story as an inspiration to learn more about Hawaii.  Research the state with your class and have them write about what they've learned.

Make shave ice for your students and have them try it.  Discuss whether they like it or not.

Read Laird's newest book that features the magic shark.  Talk about how his character has changed, if at all.

• Laird, Donivee Martin. The Magic Shark Learns to Cook. ISBN 1573062332

Have someone come in to teach your students how to hula dance, while listening to ukulele music.