In an inviting edition of an old tale, Marshall draws upon conventional elements in humorous ways. A sow cannot support her three sons, tearfully seeing them leave home unequally equipped to seek their fortunes: "Now be sure to write . . . and remember I love you." A lean, hungry wolf gobbles up the first two pigs; is tricked into the usual turnip and apple picking ruses by the third pig; gets chased by a rolling butter churn; and becomes a delectable dinner for the surviving member of the porcine trio. In Marshall's ink and watercolor paintings, the clothed, more-or-less debonair pigs and the bicycle-riding, rough-and-ready wolf reside in the early 20th century. Jacket art showing all three pigs taking a bow implies the staging of a dramatic production rather than the permanent demise of two main characters. A solid addition to Marshall's lighthearted sequence of picture book folklore including GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS (1988) and RED RIDING HOOD (1987). (Ages 3-7)