THE THREE LITTLE RIGS

Mama rig sends the three little rigs out into the world to build their own garages. Sound slightly familiar? “Little rig, little rig, let me come in!” says the big bad wrecking ball, to which the little rig replies, “Not by the chrome on my chinny chin, chin.” His garage is then smashed to smithereens. A similar fate meets the second little rig’s shelter. The third rig, however, builds his garage of steel. When the wrecking ball shows up with the mean magnet and the cruel cutter, together the three little rigs enlist the help of three big cranes. Kids keen on tools will enjoy the array of building machines such as a loader, air compressor, nail gun and welder. In this companion to The Ugly Truckling (2004), Gordon uses the familiar fairy tale as a framework to extol the virtues of teamwork. The scary-looking wrecking ball and his cronies meet a nasty end, making this a story for a slightly older reader. Illustrated in colors ranging from creamy taffies to shades of metallic gray, the art is a young industrialist’s dream come true. (Picture book. 4-7)