The Three Little Tamales

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel, Eric A. 2009. The Three Little Tamales. Ill by Valenica Docampo. Marshall Cavendish Corporation. Tarrytown, NY: ISBN 9780761455196

PLOT SUMMARY

The Three Little Tamales is a retelling of the classic, The Three Little Pigs. In this variation the three pigs are replaced with tamales. One day, they meet a tortilla that warns them that they will be eaten if don’t leave the taqueria. In fear for their lives, the tamales run away from home. Each tamale builds a house, in hopes of hiding from Senor Lobo, the wolf. They find themselves in a battle for their lives, as the wolf demands entry to their homes. As the wolf destroys the home of the first two tamales, they each seek refuge with their sister, whose house is made out of cactus. The wolf, feeling confident, is certain that he will outwit them. After getting a bunch of cactus thorns in his paws, he decides to go down the chimney. Unfortunately for Senor Lobo, the tamales have a plan. Realizing he was outsmarted, he escapes, never to be seen again. At the end of the story, the tamales and their newfound friends celebrate the defeat of Senor Lobo.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This variation creatively highlights authentic Spanish words to create characters and plot elements. The text is helpful by giving the English transition. The tamales live in the “taqueria,” which is a restaurant. In comparison to the classic version of the Three Little Pigs, this story also has a big, bad wolf. However, rather than pigs, the other characters are tamales. I think it’s funny to choose food, since the conflict centers around being eaten. This text does follow the traditional ending of good triumphing over evil.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in School Library Journal- “Kimmel has pulled the pork from “The Three Little Pigs,” wrapped it in masa, and cooked up another traditional tale flavored with Southwestern spice.”

Starred review in the Horn Book Guide: “The tamales have got character in Docampo’s motion-filled oil illustrations…Kimmel’s text is eminently readable, as usual.”

CONNECTIONS

*Readers can create their own variation of The Three Little Pigs.

*Use this text for reader’s theater. Students can be assigned parts and create costumes/props.

*Other variations of The Three Little Pigs:

Harris, Jim. The Three Little Javelinas. ISBN 9780873585422

McNamara, Margaret. The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot. ISBN 978-0375866890