“A True Story of the Three Little Pigs” retold by Elena Nikitina

Author: Elena Nikitina

Illustrator: Yulia Spiridonova

Genre: Traditional Fairytale / Early Reader

Recommended Ages: 5 - 8

Summary:

In this playful retelling of the classic story, the Big Bad Wolf gets a chance to tell his version of what really happened with the three little pigs. According to him, it was all just a misunderstanding — a sneeze, a bit of bad luck, and some seriously poor timing!

Elena Nikitina’s version keeps the humor and the “two sides to every story” theme but uses simple, clear language that’s perfect for early readers. Children will laugh, question, and think differently about what it means to be “bad.”

My Thoughts:

I love that this retelling keeps the humor and irony of the original concept but makes it more accessible for younger readers. It’s a fun introduction to point of view, and it gives children a chance to think about fairness and how stories can change depending on who’s telling them. It’s also a perfect pick for storytime or comparing with the classic tale!

Themes:

• Perspective: Every story depends on who tells it.

• Critical Thinking: Encourages children to see multiple viewpoints.

• Humor & Empathy: Helps readers understand that even villains have their own side.

Classroom Integration of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs retold by Elena Nikitina

1. Point of View Detective:

After reading both the traditional and True Story versions, ask students:

• Who told each story?

• How does the wolf’s version change what we believe?

• Have them draw or write one scene from each point of view to compare how the story changes.

2. Truth or Tale Sorting Game:

• Create “truth” and “tale” cards with events from both stories (e.g., “The wolf blew the house down” / “The wolf just sneezed”).

• Students decide which version each card belongs to—and discuss why.

3. Villain’s Voice Writing Prompt

• Invite students to choose another fairy tale “villain” and write their side of the story.

• For example: the witch from Hansel and Gretel, the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk, or the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood.

• This supports creative writing and empathy-building.

4. Art + Literacy Connection

• Using Yulia Spiridonova’s playful illustrations as inspiration, students can draw their own version of the wolf—either friendly or sneaky!

• Display their drawings under the heading “Who Is the Real Wolf?”

5. Media Literacy Mini-Lesson

• Show how newspapers or news stories can present events differently.

• Ask: “If the pigs wrote the story, what would the headline say? What about the wolf?”

• This gently introduces bias and how stories are framed, even for young readers.

Librarian Reflection:

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs is a wonderful addition to any elementary school or public library collection because it invites young readers to think critically while still having fun. The familiar story format draws children in, while the twist—hearing the wolf’s version—encourages them to question perspective and fairness.

This book is an engaging way to introduce point of view, bias, and media literacy in early grades. Children quickly notice how the wolf tries to excuse his actions, opening up lively discussions about truth, storytelling, and how perspective shapes what we believe.

In the library, this story pairs beautifully with other fractured fairy tales for a display or read-aloud series. It also supports information literacy goals by helping students learn that every story may have more than one side. The expressive illustrations by Yulia Spiridonova make the tale accessible to emerging readers and keep them laughing—even as they begin to see deeper meaning behind the humor.

Overall, this retelling encourages both critical thinking and empathy, making it a valuable teaching tool and a guaranteed student favorite during storytime.

*”A True Story of the Three Little Pigs” retold by Elena Nikitina