Professor Goose Debunks The Three Little Pigs

by Paulette Bourgeois, Alex G. Griffiths (Illustrator)

Join Professor Goose in this STEM-filled picture book as she fact-checks classic fairy tales and shares the science behind these flawed stories.

Mother Goose's fairy tales are not based in science, and her great niece Professor Goose thinks it's time to share the truth. Join Professor Goose as she travels through the pages of The Three Little Pigs, fact-checking, exposing the flaws, and explaining the science.

Did you know pigs run in a zigzag pattern? And that there's no way a wolf's breath would be strong enough to blow down anything, even if he has his whole pack with him? And that hay bales are strong enough to resist most up, down and sideways forces? Sounds like the perfect material for building a house...or not. But not to worry—Professor Goose is armed with helpful hints on how to make a structure strong enough to withstand hurricane forces! 

Jammed with jokes and hilarious illustrations, this book entertains while it introduces basic scientific laws and rules to young readers. At the back, readers will find Professor Goose's new, carefully researched fairy tale ending as well as her favorite facts about coding.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Stem, Juvenile, Canada

41 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2024

About the author

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bourgeois graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 1974. She was a psychiatric occupational therapist for three years before deciding to focus on her writing. She studied journalism at Carlton University then worked as a reporter for the Ottawa Citizen and CBC Television. She became a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C. contributing pieces to Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Reader's Digest and Maclean's. She returned to Toronto in 1983.

In 2003, she became a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2007, she received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, the University of Western Ontario.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: https://bookreadingtic.com/2024/05/30... AND PLEASE FOLLOW ME, THANK YOU!

The True Story of The Three Little Pigs!

Just when you think you know everything about the story of, The Three Little Pigs, Professor Goose, nephew of Mother Goose, steps in. So begins this tongue-in-cheek book about the professor’s mission in life to set people straight about this tale.

For instance, he says that pigs really like things clean. They aren’t trying to be dirty when they cover themselves with mud, they are just controlling their body temperature.

Then, the Professor brings up the power of wolves’ lungs, and if they really could blow a house down. He moves on to talk about the quality of the homes the pigs made, compared with the way the professor suggests homes should be built--he knows the right way to do it! Also, he has lots other ideas he can’t wait to share.

This book is bursting with funny things, and lots of laughable situations about this well-known fairy tale.

The creator of Franklin the Turtle has written a fun-filled story that will be enjoyed by ages five through ten-years-olds. They will have lots of giggles while reading this fresh look at a familiar fable in this five-star picture book!

Thank you, Library Thing and Random House Canada/Tundra Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for kids who may have outgrown the original story. I loved the fresh new take on the classic children's story. The analytical way in which the Goose tore apart the inpracticalities of the original was fun. I always appreciate when a story pushes kids to take a more analytical approach to things. This not only provideds an enjoyable read, but can also be used when teaching different things to children. The story goes into detail and provides examples for structures, weather conditions, and coding among others. This book is a good option for kids that like to question everything.



*Received through Netgalley for my honest opinion*

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Goose, Mother Goose's great niece is debunking fairy tales by fact checking and explaining the science behind the stories. As we move through the story, we are given fact checks which makes this book fun for every age! It is fun that you can continue to grow with your children - reading the basic story and then adding in the facts as they get older

My niece loves it and so do I. The story is fun and quirky and the illustrations are so incredibly beautiful! Vibrant and eye catching - these photos just don't do them justice. They add so much to the story and create such a wonderful reading experience.

Huge thank you to Penguin Teen Canada and Tundra Books for adding this one to my collection!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is sort of fun, but I’m not sure who the audience is. It’s all about taking the popular story and poking scientific holes in it. Yes, wolves are pack animals, and no, a single wolf blowing couldn’t take out an entire structure of any kind (even if straw isn’t great house-building material). I think littles would get bored halfway through, but I’m not sure it would appeal to older kids either. Probably more of a candidate for early readers than picture books. Hmmm.

[Melissa DeLong-Cox]

*Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada - Tundra Books and NetGalley for the ARC!*

I read this with my kids, ages 6 and 7.5, and they really enjoyed it! We liked the way the story was presented, with the debunking facts laid out separate from the story content. Some of the facts were a bit above the reading level that my soon-to-be-first-grader is currently reading at, but overall, this was a fun read for everyone!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley
Professor Goose uses science to examine some of the tales of her ancestor Mother Goose. the science is interesting as well as the dismantling of that suspension of disbelief so needed in these type of tales. This book (and others in the series) would be excellent guides to questioning what you read and using research and fact checking.

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative and cute children's book. Professor Goose goes through the Three Little Pigs nursery rhyme and debunks a lot of the actions that happen in the rhyme. Plus the professor added more story to the rhyme which made it 10 times better! I also liked at the end how the professor shared what became of the pigs and the wolf. This is definitely a fun book for the kids to read as well as educational. A win-win!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I first read The Three Little Pigs and I really enjoyed reading the “debunked” version. I used to have pigs a few years back and I saw firsthand how smart they are and how loveable. This version of the story will appeal to kids who like to examine how things are built and actually know what coding is. Thanks to Tundra Books for the opportunity to read this debunked fairy tale.

[Nanci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is entertaining. But for me, picture books are often read to smaller children and I could see, at least my smaller children being very bored with the facts. I was kind of bored with them, to be truthful. But...Older children, like 6 or 7 onward might really enjoy it. It would not make a good story time book but if you are looking for a fun way to learn together or teach some science, this book could be a great way to introduce it.

[Louise M. Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, so many reasons to love this new series! The top of the list is the obvious STEM tie-in, presented in such a fun 'fact check' way that kids will both feel smart and curious for more info. Second, I'm a sucker for any new twist on classic fairy tales, and this is such an ingenious approach we'll have all wished we had thought of it first. And finally, who doesn't love a funny pun here and there? Can't wait to see what comes out next in the series.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A descendent of Mother Goose, Professor Marie Curious Goose takes on the task of fact checking the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs. With a little science, logic, and some cool fun facts, this book is sure to delight readers of all ages. Definitely a different take on a classic tale, but it's a great way to introduce younger readers to reality vs. fairy tale. The illustrations are fun as well and work together to present a very entertaining story!

[Joy Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Both my daughter and I are a big fan of the Professor Goose Debunk series. They are imaginative, witty and puts a fresh spin of the classic stories we all know and love.

It not only entertains and also encourages kids to explore alternative perspectives and not be easily swayed by popular beliefs.

[Reading Adventures · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun new and unexpected take on the classic story of 3 Little Pigs. This story was packed full of fun science and knowledge about the story. Things mother goose didn’t think of. It was a thought provoking story on a classic tale that really engages the readers.
Great for elementary kids and to share in the classroom.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of fun random facts. My three-year-old does really enjoy the Franklin series that the author wrote and “The Three Little Pigs,” but the fractured fairy tales books are a bit too old for them to enjoy fully. This story is best suited for children who are in Kindergarten to about grade 4. This book is a good way for children to think about things in a different way and to look at whether events in a story would be realistic or not. This book is a good way to start teaching children that you always need to think critically and cannot take everything you hear at face value. This book is a good addition to any classroom or public library.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I was drawn to it initially because of the fractured fairy tale element. This twist weaves another level of STEM knowledge to the story. It's filled with all sorts of facts ranging from silly facts like "only humans have chins" to an explanation of coding. Kids will be so busy laughing over Professor Goose's silly antics that they won't even realize they're learning.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not as entertained by this book as it seemed to want me to be. I liked the concept of taking a scientific approach to analyzing a popular children's story, but this felt didactic and like it was trying to do too much. The science facts were so random. In general, it felt like it was trying too hard to be funny and the fact sections were too dry.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

For kids who have outgrown the original story, this is a fun twist! Professor Marie Curious Goose tells the original story, but breaks in regularly with a little side note on how the science is incorrect and why. It's a fun way to teach kids a little science. What this book is missing is a section in the back with ideas on experiments kids can do to double check Professor's Goose's conclusions.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting mix of fairytale retelling and nonfiction, with Professor Goose "debunking" the story by sharing science facts about pigs, wolves, etc. Ultimately it felt clunky--a miss for me.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great-niece of Mother Goose uses science to explain why the events in The Three Little Pigs couldn't happen. Citing sources from zoology, meteorology, engineering, and more, Professor Marie C Goose shows the facts.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book virtually.

In this cute story Professor Goose discusses how science was not used when the Three Little Pigs story was created. The story is told page by page, but there are sidebars that give the scientific facts needed to better understand what is debunked. STEM connections for this title are easy to make.

I was so very entertained with this book! I will certainly use it and likely the rest of them for my class projects this year.

[La'Tonya Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best line, "Pigs don't have chins." Hahahaha.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea, but it tried a little too hard.

[Lupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you incorporate coding into classic stories?! I loved it! Already added to my library collection.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to like this book, but it is extremely long. Professor goose is apparently the great grandson of mother goose, and he insists she did not do enough research on her tales. He even reads the three little pigs and tell use one what is wrong. As a professor, he brings up interesting side trivia that kids may find interesting, but it extends the story so far one is constantly wanting the end. This is a neat idea and I think it would make a fantastic project around second or third grade but in general not a picture book to grab for a quick fun week.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fractured fairy tales takes the reader on a scientific fact checking mission as Professor Marie Curious Goose, PH.D in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics proceeds to debunk her Great Aunt's stories, by finding and exposing the flaws in her tales.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor Goose cries wolf on all the faulty facts in the Three Little Pigs tale.