The three little pigs Los tres cerditos

Mlawer, former president of Spanish-language publisher and distributor Lectorum, brings a dash of fresh characterization to the story of the Three Little Pigs. The youngest pig, described as "a bit lazy but very playful," tells readers, "I will build my house of straw, which is light. I will finish right away so that I can go out to play." Through somewhat unpolished, Cuéllar's scraggly illustrations also sneak in a bit of humor, such as the way the wolf's pointy snout can often be seen peeking out from behind trees as he spies on the pigs. A sturdy and accessible retelling (in both languages), if not one that does much to distinguish itself. Bilingual versions of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk are available simultaneously. Ages 3-7. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 2-4-Two classic tales are adapted here and maintain a traditional narrative format. Mlawer's pacing and vocabulary may be challenging to young readers; both titles are better suited for sharing by adult readers with children in a storytime or read-aloud setting. Cuéllar's colorful filled-in pencil drawings resonate well with Mlawer's narrative style by depicting the sometimes frightening scenes in a friendly, unthreatening manner. VERDICT Great introductions to classic folklore that serve as important background knowledge. English only editions are also available.-Lettycia Terrones, California State University, Pollak Library, Fullerton, CA (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.