THE THREE LITTLE GATORS
by Helen Ketteman and illustrated by Will Terry
What if the Big Bad Wolf was actually a Big-bottomed Boar; and the Three Little Pigs...? When her three young ’uns are old enough, Mama Gator sends them off into the world with a warning to watch out for that Big-bottomed Boar: “Tasty, tender gators are his favorite snack.” The adventurous little gators build their three houses of rocks, sticks and sand, respectively. Third Gator is awakened by the snurfing and snorting of the Boar, whose sharp tusks and close-set eyes look truly terrifying. He wiggles his rump (“with a bump, bump, bump”) and makes short work of the sand house. Likewise the stick house, but the stone house presents a challenge, prompting the Boar to make the mistake of trying its chimney. Ketteman’s text is lean and serviceable, with country-isms and onomatopoeia lending well to reading aloud. The book’s chief attraction, however, 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. (Picture book. 3-6)