The Three Little Guinea Pigs

December 12, 2022
Perl (When Carrot Met Cookie) pens another fairy tale remix, this time starring three “not so little” guinea pigs setting off into the world after their birthday. As the three—Rosie, Minty, and Pumpkin— head out wearing birthday-balloon-adorned backpacks, Rosie wonders, “Wh-wh-what if there are foxes?” “I’m not afraid of foxes,” Minty responds, but practical Pumpkin indicates that “foxes are why we need to make houses,” and construction commences. Rosie makes hers out of hay and Minty chooses cardboard, but Pumpkin has more ambitious ideas. When a fox appears, the sisters rally one another, engaging in more than just the traditional “chinny-chin-chin” retort: “He’s just a big bully. We can take him!” Their plan to deceive him using their birthday balloons works a treat, and low-key suspense makes this a suitable story for listeners who prefer that their heroes remain unscathed. The three guinea pigs naturally appear cuddly and adorable, but even the fox, in wash-textured artwork by Young (the Unicorn Named Sparkle series), looks more appealing than threatening. Realistic details about guinea pig behavior add interest, too, as detailed in the back matter’s Fascinating Facts. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Carrie Hannigan, HG Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt.

December 1, 2022

PreS-Gr 2-Covering little new ground in plotting, this porcine-free version of the familiar story features three plucky guinea pig sisters who set off to make their way in the world and build their homes. A hungry fox serves as their nemesis, but with some quick thinking, three balloons, and thoughtful collaboration, the siblings can outwit their predator. At the story's end, the virtues of bravery and resourcefulness are celebrated. Back matter provides additional guinea pig facts. Clever, bold illustrations provide the visual details of the sisters' successful plan. VERDICT Any collection seeking smart young female protagonists will find reason to pick up this title, as will those whose classrooms have guinea pig mascots.-John Scott

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2022
"Three Little Pigs" gets twisted slightly for guinea pig fans. Guinea pig sisters Rosie, Minty, and Pumpkin are old enough to leave home and go live out in the world. But as they adjust to life away from their mom, their fear of foxes prompts them to build themselves homes made of different materials (in this version, hay; cardboard; and leaves, sticks, and carrots). Each of the guinea pigs looks distinct in the warm watercolor illustrations, but their personalities don't differ much. However, the playful text sometimes rises above the trappings of the story ("Excitedly, they popcorned down the road." "After a lot of wheeking and woinking, the sisters admired their work"). There's still the same huffing and puffing and "chinny-chin-chins" of legions of other takes on the tale, but here at least the clever conclusion hinges on a fact any guinea pig owner will know about their tails (or lack of them), which proves key to foiling the fox's feast. A two-page list of real-life facts about the animals rounds out the book. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Engaging, if not especially original. Still, young guinea pig owners will want this book on their shelves. (Picture book. 4-8)

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