The Three Little Guinea Pigs

by Erica S Perl (Author) Amy Young (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

A laugh-out-loud retelling of The Three Little Pigs, The Three Little Guinea Pigs is perfect for fans of fairytales and guinea pigs alike. This clever story by prolific children's book author Erica S. Perl and dynamic illustrator Amy Young makes a perfect read-aloud and includes nonfiction backmatter with additional fun facts about guinea pigs.

Once upon a time there were three little pigs... three little guinea pigs! Their names were Rosie, Minty, and Pumpkin. They lived with their mama in a cozy little house.Then they bid her a fond farewell and set off on their own. So far, so good....But what will they do if a hungry fox comes along?

Will they go wheek, wheek, wheek all the way home?

Or can they find a way to save their fluffy behinds?

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus Reviews

Engaging . . . Young guinea pig owners will want this book on their shelves.

Publishers Weekly

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. (Feb.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

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.

Review quotes



Erica S Perl

Erica S. Perl is the author of many popular and critically acclaimed books for young readers. Her picture books include Chicken Butt!, Goatilocks and the Three Bears, and Ferocious Fluffity. She is a crowd-pleasing presenter at schools, libraries, and community events. Erica honed her skills working as a trial lawyer in New York City, and, before that, studying theater and driving an ice cream truck. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her family, which includes dogs and - of course - guinea pigs.

Amy Young has written and illustrated many picture books for children. These include the series A Unicorn Named Sparkle, about a mail-order unicorn, and the Belinda the Ballerina series, about a graceful ballerina who has enormous feet. Like Erica, Amy has had many jobs over the years, having worked as a waitress, a construction worker, a farm hand, and an attorney. She loves her current job best of all. Amy lives in western Michigan with her charming husband Paul and their domineering cat, Xena, Warrior Kitty.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780374390044
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
Publication date
February 20, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002180 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, etc.
JUV012030 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | General
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Foxes
Guinea pigs
Folk tales
Adaptations

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!