The Three Little Gators
What’s inside...
A delightful retelling of the three little pigs story, set in an east Texas swamp, where three little gators build their own homes to protect themselves from the Big-bottomed Boar, who likes to eat gators for his snack. Each gator builds a different type of house: one of rocks, one of sticks, and one of sand. The boar easily destroys the weaker houses, but faces a challenge with the rock house. In a twist, he tries entering through the chimney, leading to an unexpected outcome. The book has received accolades such as the Wanda Gag Honor Book 2010 and was a nominee for the 2011 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award.
Age
4-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Third Little Gator
Second Little Gator
First Little Gator
Big Bully Boar
Discussion points
What do you think the three little gators learned by the end of the story?
Why do you think the big bottom boar wanted to catch the gators?
How did each gator's house differ and why did they choose those materials?
What would you have done if you were one of the little gators?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in a different environment, like a forest instead of a swamp?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for each character to make the story more engaging and to help differentiate between the gators and the boar.
Pause at crucial moments to ask your child what they think might happen next, enhancing their predictive skills.
Discuss the moral of the story and relate it to real-life situations, such as the importance of preparedness and resilience.
Encourage your child to draw their version of the gator’s houses or the swamp, stimulating their creativity and reinforcing story details.
Ask your child to guess why the author chose alligators as characters and explore discussions about animal habitats.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of preparation and hard work
Explanation: In the story, the smartest gator builds a sturdy home out of rocks. Despite the extra effort and time, this house stands strong against the challenges posed by the antagonist.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of investing time and effort in doing something right the first time, understanding that this can provide security and benefits in the long term.
Example Lesson: Consequences of taking easy shortcuts
Explanation: The other two gators choose to build their homes quickly with less sturdy materials. When the antagonist comes, their houses are easily destroyed.
Real-World Application: This illustrates to children the potential negative outcomes of opting for quick and easy solutions rather than doing something thoroughly and with effort.
Example Lesson: Ingenuity and problem-solving
Explanation: The smartest gator not only builds a strong house but also creatively uses his wits to ultimately outsmart the antagonist.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that thinking creatively and solving problems proactively can help them deal with challenges and adversities in life.
Example Lesson: The importance of learning from others
Explanation: The story shows how the other gators learn from the wisest brother after seeing the effectiveness of his planning and hard work.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to observe, learn, and adopt positive behaviors and strategies that they notice in others around them.
Example Lesson: Safety in unity and cooperation
Explanation: After their houses are destroyed, the two gators find refuge with their brother, whose house is strong. Together, they outsmart the antagonist.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of standing together and supporting each other in times of difficulty, highlighting that there is strength in unity.