Review: Tell the Truth B.B. Wolf

Title:  Tell the Truth B.B. Wolf
Author/Illustrator:  Judy Sierra/J. Otto Seibold

Review Copy Provided by:  Knopf Books for Young Readers



About the Book:  Big Bad Wolf’s first visit to his local library (as related in Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf) was such a success that he returns to tell his version of “The Three Little Pigs.” His outrageous spin on the tale draws skeptical remarks from his audience: “Isn’t that wolf’s nose getting longer?” asks Pinocchio. “It’s a cooked-up, half-baked tale,” snaps the Gingerbread Boy. And “Tell the truth, B.B. Wolf!” squeal the Three Little Pigs. Caught in his own lie, B.B. explains that he is a reformed villain: “Now I’m begging on my knees, Little Pigs, forgive me, please!” How B.B. turns his bad old deed into a good new one provides a happy ending to this fun-to-read fractured fairytale.

My Thoughts:   As a teacher, I read many versions of The Three Little Pigs, even ones from the wolf's point of view.  Well, here is a new one and the wolf is at it again.

I really enjoyed Tell the Truth, B.B. Wolf.  It was a fun story with bold illustrations.  I have not read Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf, but that didn't make a difference.  You don't need to have read it first to be able to understand this story.  In the story, B.B. Wolf tries to tell his side of the story, but he keeps getting interrupted by other storybook characters.  I loved how the author tied all of these stories together using the characters.  It is a great way to introduce young kids to many storybook characters that they might not know.  Many of these characters, like the little pigs, the gingerbread man, Pinocchio, etc. have been replaced by Dora and Spongebob.  Today's children may not know who these characters are, but books like this one will allow them to meet them, get to know them, and hopefully grow to love them, like we did as kids.

There are some lessons to be learned from B.B. Wolf as well.  He wants the pigs to forgive him, so he asks the other storybook characters to help him come up with a new name.  What else could B.B. stand for?  I could see this as a great activity for kids, after finishing the book.  They could write their ideas for B.B.'s new name and why they think he should have that name.  B.B. also apologizes to the pigs, so apologies could be discussed as well.  I think there is a lot to be learned from this book even though many will just see it as a fun read.

Tell the Truth B.B Wolf was a great read.  It was laugh out loud funny and I would read it over and over again to children.