The Three Little Gators

Plot Summary

A delightful retelling of the three little pigs story. Three little gators strike out on their own in an east Texas swamp. Their mother warns them to build strong houses that can protect them from Big-bottomed Boar, who likes to eat tasty, tender gators for his snack. Soon, First Gator builds himself a nice house out of rocks. Second Gator reckons rocks are too much work, so he builds his house with sticks. And Third Gator’s house of sand is the easiest one to build!

But soon Big-bottomed Boar shows up.  With a bump, bump, bump of the fierce boar's rump, he knocks over Third Gator's house of sand.  It doesn't take long for that rump to bump Second Gator's house of sticks.  But he can't knock over Third Gator's house of stones, so he tries another way in - through the chimney!  Guess what happens to the Boar's rump after that?!

Awards

Wanda Gag Honor Book 2010

Reviews

"But Ketteman’s retelling, including a sassy Texas twang, makes the story hilarious and bright....readers will be chiming in on cue....The colors are vibrant yet ominous and swampy....A fun choice for libraries and classrooms." School Library Journal

"The book’s chief attraction...is Terry’s hilarious illustrations. His funny gators have distinct personalities, and the picture of the Boar stuck in the chimney is inspired. Brisk fun." Kirkus Reviews

"folksy details in both text (“Third Gator ran faster than a fox after a muskrat”) and art (a bottle of boar sauce sits next to the fireplace, as the boar earns some grill marks) should entertain." Publishers Weekly Online

"Loaded with plenty of outlandish action from the bug-eyed, cartoonish characters rendered in glimmering colors, this would make a rip-roaring group readaloud." Booklist (Online Review)

"The text includes some funny rhymes ("I'll wriggle my rump with a bump, bump, bump"). Animated illustrations feature googly-eyed gators and clever details (e.g., hot sauce is on hand by the chimney)."
The Horn Book Guide

"The vibrant, funny illustrations almost jump off the page."
Library Media Connection

Associated Keywords
Texas, swamp, gator, alligator, boar, pigs, sand, sticks, stones, folktale