Folktale

I. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel, Eric A. 1992. THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG. Ill. by Giora Carmi. New York: Holiday House. ISBN: 0823409708

II. PLOT SUMMARY

In THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG, Kimmel presents a retelling of a British folktale about an old woman who finds a penny. She exclaims that it is her lucky day and quickly goes to market to buy a pig. Unfortunately, her luck begins to run out, and the pig refuses to step over a stile in the path to her home. She proceeds to ask for help from a dog, but is refused. So she sees a stick and asks it to poke the dog, but it refuses as well. The story continues in this way, including a cat, a cow and many other steps in between. They all refuse to help her until finally a sleeping haystack does not refuse her. After feeding the cow, the chain of events unfolds, leading finally to the dog nipping the pig, which gets it over the stile. The old woman is finally home.

III.CRITICAL ANALYSIS

THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG is a cumulative folk tale, retold by Kimmel from the original British form. This is a lighter version, and he does a good job of changing the story to make it less violent. The rhythm and repetition in the text makes it a good book to share aloud during story time.

The illustrations are colorful pastel drawings, and they capture the story in a unique way. As each character or thing refuses to help the old woman, they form a “No.” For example, when the rider refuses, his body and hat make the word “No.” Children will enjoy finding the words in the illustrations.

IV. REVIEW EXCERPTS

“Kimmel's books are always welcome for their potential story-hour use, and this rendition of a standard English folktale is no exception.” –School Library Journal

“Carmi's colorful illustrations are wild, crazy, and full of life…” –School Library Journal

V. CONNECTIONS

• Reread the story, having the children join in with the “No’s.”
• Create a readers theatre script and have children perform the story.