The Three Little Hawaiian Pigs and the Magic Shark

by Donivee Martin Laird, Carol Jossem (Illustrator)

This adaptation of The Three Little Pigs is set in Hawai'i. The Magic Shark (there are no wolves in Hawai'i) tries his wizardry but is foiled by the pigs and ends up in the local dump. For children 4 to 10 years old. Fully illustrated with a glossary of Hawaiian words.

Genres: Fairy Tales, Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1981

About the author

[Author also goes by the name Donivee Laird.]

Donivee Martin Laird grew up in Hawaii, the daughter of a sugar plantation manager, where she lived on each of Hawaii’s major islands. She also lived for several years in Puerto Rico. She is married, the mother of two and grandmother of one.

Donivee was an elementary school teacher in Hawaii for 25 years. She began writing children's stories in 1980 to supply the literature component of a unit on Hawaiʻi she was teaching to preschoolers.

In 1981 Laird and illustrator Carol (Jossem) Johnson formed their own publishing company, Barnaby Books, and launched their book, The Three Little Hawaiian Pigs and the Magic Shark. Five more books followed. Today, over 200, 000 copies of the titles are in print.

Laird’s first three stories have been adapted into a musical for children. The show, entitled Talking Story has been performed numerous times in Hawaii.

In 2004 Barnaby Books sold the rights to their books to the Bess Press. Laird’s most recent book, The Magic Shark Learns to Cook, was published by the Bess Press in 2004.

Reviews

[Hina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting because it takes place in Hawaii, where I am from. It has an interesting plot twist on how the bad guy of the story uses disguise instead of just knocking and blowing the three little pig's houses down as in the original storyline. The lesson of this story was to look out for strangers. I think that was the author's message to this book's readers. This book also has the three little pigs use different materials as well as a magic shark as the bad guy to fit the Hawaiian theme. Overall it was a very good book and helped me see the story of the three little pigs in a different way.

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been in S's room for his entire life and I'm sure we have read it at least a few times before now, but I guess I've never reviewed it! And, honestly, I mostly remember it from when I was a kid so it's possible I had never read it to him before.
At any rate, he and L both really liked it (F presumably did, too, although she's 5 weeks old so who knows). It's a clever take on the Three Little Pigs that is very successful at weaving Hawaiian culture into the story. There is a glossary at the back that defines the Hawaiian words, although I think they are all fairly understandable in context.
I really like the illustrations as well, they are colorful and capture the island feel. A+!

[Jared Pangier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I write this review in the company of two other Little Pig books—David McPhail's and Saburo Yamada's—both worthy derivatives of this classic tale. And while I probably prefer those other two books more than this Hawaiian-flavored one, my daughter (and some of my students) like this one better. For me, I enjoyed it for its special Hawaiian sauce, which transported me back to the world of Hawaii, shave ice, and ukuleles.

What makes this book endearing for some? The Hawaiian setting and characters, mixed with the character of the big bad shark, who disguises himself as three stereotypically Hawaiians: a shave ice man, a Ukulele-playing beach boy, and a lei seller.

Enjoyable if you'd like another perspective on the classic tale.

[Christine Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this retelling. The illustrations make me nostalgic too. I like how colorful and humorous they are, and how the writing and illustrations are in perfect harmony.

I really enjoy local versions of old tales! This and The Little Red Hen Hawaiian-Style are awesome. I recommend them both:)

[Danelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This retelling is great! We got to go to Hawaii as a family this year, and I read this in my youth and had gone with my family growing up. We owned this book many years ago and I decided my girls would like it too, especially after we got hooked on Ululani Shaved Ice. So good.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The artwork in the book was not exactly breathtaking, and the story was pretty dry too. I did enjoy the author's authentic Hawaiian cultural references, though.

[Carly Bontrager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traditional literature
3rd-6th grade
I like the Hawaiian twist on this book! I really liked that there was a glossary in the back of the book for some of the Hawaiian words. I like the way the Hawaiian culture is integrated into this book. I the illustrations were different, but I really liked them!

[Roslyn Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

-Pigs BUY their materials, which I appreciated. Though their parents just gave them money so… eh.
-Pigs build their houses randomly out of materials they encounter, no poor or good choices made
-It does take the lava rock house pig a lot longer to build his house, and a lazy brother does stop by to harass him about it and he does say he wants a strong house but because there didn't seem to be any CHOICE with the first 2 pigs, the choice of the third doesn't really register
-I love how much extra information this story includes about beach life and fishing. Vocabulary is crucial for young kids and I appreciate books that don't dumb-ify everything or use only simple words


But that's it. The lazy (or just randomly unlucky) pigs don't die and even if they did this story is not teaching anything of value….

Time to write my own version.

[Jamie Winslow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was a spin off of the regular Three Little Pigs story with a Hawaiian theme. Instead of a big bad wolfe there was a magic shark who could make himself appear as some of the islanders and trick the little pigs. The first two little pigs were tricked by the magic shark and he was able to huff and puff and blow their homemade houses down. Each of the pigs ran to their brothers house and it was the third brother pig whose house was made of stone that the magic shark was not able to blow down the house. Instead the magic shark ran out of air and the three little pics lived happily ever after.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting twist on the classic story, "The Three Little Pigs." The Magic Shark takes the place of the big bad wolf and the whole tale has a Hawaiian flavor to it. Our girls enjoyed this story.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book in Hawaii and it is SO great! It takes features of Hawaiian culture and weaves them throughout the book. You also learn a little of the Hawaiian language! The ending for the shark is very funny--read it and see!

[Lyndsay]

I have already used this as a lesson plan. I dressed a Hawaiian with a colorful shirt, sang the baby shark song and did a seashell finger play. Fun book

[Chaquona · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMg I love this book

[Max · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like it but it's not the best and i don't like every detail because there's a lot of books like it and it gets boring reading the same kind of books over and over again.

[Ms. Kosloski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun Hawaiian style take on the classic 3 Little Pigs story.

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118478

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the Hawaiian words, but the kids have a hard time following the story when they are used. They still love it though. The illustrations are weird! and funny!