The 3 Little Dassies

My grandchildren and I have been collecting versions of the story of The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf.We've enjoyed the story as retold by Steven Kellogg, James Marshall, Jon Scieszka, Mark Teague, Paul Galdone, and other talented children's authors and illustrators.In this book which is beautifully written and illustrated by Jan Brett, a Namibian folktale is shared of three sisters (Mimbi, Pimbi, and Timbi) who are dassies who moved away from their large family to build homes on a mountain. They hope this new location will be cooler and far from large eagles, who like to catch them. (Dassies are small mammals similar to guinea pigs.)The individual homes are made of long grasses, driftwood, and stone. Instead of the huffing and puffing successfully used by the Big Bad Wolf to blow down two of the three structures in the classic tale, there is a powerful predator eagle who flaps and claps with his wings to try to destroy the homes and capture the dassies.There is the crucial chimney scene in this version. Additionally, the sisters gain a wonderful friend known as Agama Man (an Old World lizard), who is vital to the happy ending.As expected with Jan Brett's books, the tale develops in both the central section and the side panels which are the borders of each page. The setting is so richly depicted. The dassies wear beautifully patterned dresses and head turbans native to their region. The lizard and the eagle are also sporting hats and suspenders.This is a vibrant re-imagining of a classic story in the detailed, sumptuous style that Jan Brett is known for.

A bit concerned about the harsh nature of the giant bird grabbing the little Dassies, obviously to "eat" them! I am a nature lover, animal lover, respect life, so am a bit opinionated, I guess. But I like sweet stories for children. Time enough to know that life is not all sugar and spice. Can't we have stories that are just "nice", fun to read or have read by Mom or Dad, and not have to pose a question "what was the bird going to do with them"......"did the bird hurt them?"......."why did the bird grab them?"......I am writing this while viewing TV and the bomber news, so am extra sensitive this early AM.I enjoy the Jan Brett books, (look at my list of purchased items!) to give to dear little children (I am 78!) and am always taken by the fab illustrations, but like tender story lines to engender tenderness in our children as they head into a cruel and ever-increasingly violent world! Give me these and I'll be happy!!!

I can't praise Jan Brett's books enough. I started buying her books when my daughter was in grade school. We're still fans and she is now 24 with her own toddler at home. I continue to buy Brett's books for my own library to share with my grand kids. Like her other books, this is a feast for the eyes. I'd never known what a Dassie was. Brett's books are educational even for this Gramma!

As with all of Jan Brett's books, the illustrations are marvelously detailed. The story itself is charming, but the side of each page has vignettes that go with the story and include African fabrics and plants. These add richly to the experience of immersing yourself in Ms. Brett's beautiful drawings. Her books are instant classics.

We love Jan Brett's books! We can't just borrow them from the library - we must own them! The illustrations are our favorites & each time we open 1 of her books from our shelves - we find something new we didn't notice before! (The "we's" are from ages 1 to 50!) The dressed dassies are darling and the twist on the popular pigs was delightful!

Very good condition. I gave it to my grandchildren.

Although I love Jan Brett, I'm not loving this story.

Great art work. Jann Brett has such an instinct and ability to bring to life the area the story takes place through her pictures. The story is unique and entertaining. My grandchildren had me read it over and over.

Hard to find, great book!