Prak Fills the House

by Donna L. Washington, Lauren Emmons (Illustrator)

This hilarious retelling of “The Three Little Pigs” is a cheery celebration of family and togetherness, starring a spirited pig as she outsmarts her older siblings in a friendly competition.

Prak is a practical pig who is often overlooked by her two older brothers: Mo the muscly one, and Bo the beautiful one. So when Poppa Pig offers his house to whichever of his children can fill it to the brim, everyone assumes Mo or Bo will be up for the task. No one expects Prak to have the strength or charisma to fill a house. But with a lot of creativity and a bit of luck, Prak might just surprise them all!

Charming and lighthearted illustrations by debut illustrator Lauren Emmons joyously accentuate this lively read-aloud, from the acclaimed author of Boo Stew, Donna L. Washington. A warm and endearing choice for any cozy story time.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prak, short for Practical, lives with her Poppa and two brothers. When Poppa Pig decides to go on an adventure, he tells the three little pigs that whichever one of them can fill up the house will inherit it. Mo, the eldest, is a body builder and he decides to fill the house up to the brim with straw. But the straw settles, so the house is not filled. Bo, the next brother, is “the beautiful one, and he loved to shop.” He fills the house with feathers, but the feathers settle, so the house doesn’t fill then either. Prak takes a different approach from her brothers: she fills the house with people with a going away party for Poppa.

This riff on the story of the three little pigs retains some of the themes from the original, so it could be used for a unit on fairy tale retellings. It was fun to see a gender non-conforming pig in Bo. I like that Prak is the sibling that makes use of her siblings’ mistakes: she crafts with the hay and the feathers, and has the idea of creating community to fill the house. The digital illustrations are appealing and complement the story nicely.

What I didn't like: I think it would be hard for young ones to understand why someone would want to fill a house with stuff. I guess a discussion about how filling a house with stuff and filling it with people are two different concepts? Also, Poppa Pig is making his children compete for one house. I don’t think sibling rivalry is a great message.

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this story because it was clever and silly.

"We filled the house! With stories, songs, and laughter. Now its our house forever after."

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story about thinking outside the box (house?), family and celebrations.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prak is a patient, practical pig who loves his family. As the three pigs reach adulthood, Father Pig announces that, after having raised his 3 piglets, he is heading off for adventures. But not until he determines one of the 3 to whom he will give their house. This will be determined by whomever can fill the house up, and he gives each pig 10 half-pennies.

Muscle-bound older brother Mo tries first by buying a house full of straw, and proclaims, "I win the house" but when the straw settles, the house is not full and Mo's money is gone. He gives the straw to Prak who uses it to make hats and mats and she sold them using the money to buy supplies.

Bo next tried to fill the house with feathers. But of course, when the feathers settle, the house isn't full either. He gives the feathers to Prak, who uses the money to make masks and costumes. On the way home he meets a troupe of musicians whom he invites home.

Papa leaves to shop for his trip, and while he's gone, Prak fills the house with a wonderful surprise party for Papa, using all the fun accessories he has made with Bo and Mo's castoffs for the guests to have with. Looking around, the pigs see that the house is indeed filled: with loved ones and friends and neighbors for a going-away party for Mr. Pig.

A delightful spin on the three little pigs' story, that ends with a lovely lesson: it takes loved ones and memories to fill a house.

I was fortunate to hear this story the first time listening to it read by the author, the marvelous storyteller, Donna L. Washington.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prak Fills the House explores a new twist on a sort of "three little pigs" story, where the three pigs will get to keep the house if they can fill it up. A battle of strength and wits ensues. Will Prak's idea work? With decent illustrations and an interesting plot, it's fun to see if the kids can guess what Prak will do.

Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new take on an timeless tale

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique retelling of "The Three Little Pigs." I enjoyed the author's creativity, and the illustrations are fun.