This version of the Three Little Pigs by Ruckus Media group is a lovely adaptation of this traditional story narrated by Holly Hunter, with details that children today may find interesting and possibly different than other versions of this story that they have experienced. As with all classic stories turned into apps by Ruckus Media Group, choices include watching the video or reading the story in book form by oneself.

I am always impressed with the quality of these applications. The illustrations and music that accompany these apps are uniformly wonderful, this app being no exception. What I found most interesting here is that this version of the story has elements that many times are lost in more modern versions of this tale.

It is my understanding that the first published version of this story dates back to the 1840’s by James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps and included some notable differences compared to the story that is typically told today, at least in the versions we have been reading. Here the pigs are sent off to “find their fortune,” with the common moral of “always do the best that you can do” not really being a part of this story. The first two pigs get eaten quickly by the wolf, but the third pig defeats this beast in the end after the wolf tries many times to lure the smartest pig away from the brick house. This app follows suit with these differences and I especially enjoyed the section of this story where the third pig outsmarts the wolf every time he tries to trick the pig out into the open, bringing the story to other locations including a nice moment at a country fair that I enjoy.

Another interesting detail in this app is that the three pigs are sisters, not brother pigs – a detail that I have never heard before. These female pigs are super cute-looking, each dresses in lovely outfits. Because they so adorable, it struck me as a little rough when I realized that the first two pigs were going to be eaten instead of taking up refuge in the house made of bricks. I do think, however, that I enjoyed the second half of this story even more, knowing that this pig is a female pig and that we get to know her much better in this version. I enjoy the idea that it is a lady outwitting and ultimately cooking and eating the wolf – yet another way this story is different from what we ordinarily read.

The music included here is excellent, as various styles are used to further illustrate the differences among the three pigs, it also being used to make the wolf seem even more menacing that he commonly comes across in most versions of this story. We enjoyed this app a great deal, but parents please take note that this very traditional adaptation of The Three Little Pigs may not be for the most sensitive of children. All in all, another great app from Ruckus Media Group.

By Age Range, By App Feature, Just For Fun, Preschool, Primary School, Reading, Reviews, Stories