The Three Little Pigs

A Comic Book Graded Readers graded reader by Abraão Paula

The Three Little Pigs is a full-colour comic book graded reader that adapts the classic folk tale for adult and teen beginners learning English at Level 1 (CEFR A1). Adapted by Abraão Paula for the Comic Book Graded Readers series, it tells the story in 1,697 words and 317 headwords — the longest text in the series — built on so much repetition that it remains one of the easiest to follow.

At a glance

A mother pig sends her three sons out to build their own homes: the first builds fast with straw, the second builds fast with sticks, and the third works slowly with red brick. Then a hungry wolf comes knocking — "Little pig, let me in!" — and blows the easy houses down one by one. It is a Level 1 · A1 reader about hard work and preparation, and it ends each act on the same tense question: Will the strong house hold?

How it teaches

Every story page is a full-colour comic, and every short sentence sits next to the picture that shows it. When the text says "The straw flies away!" and the panel shows yellow straw exploding into the air, the reader understands immediately. That is Dual-Coding Theory (Allan Paivio): words stored with pictures are easier to understand and remember.

The adaptation uses 317 headwords across 1,697 words, with sentences of no more than eight words and A1 grammar only — to be, simple present, simple past, will, there is / there are, can. The story repeats its pattern three times — build, knock, blow — so the same sentences return again and again: "Little pig, let me in!", "He blows." Contrast words — fast / slow, weak / strong, play / work — are shown in every house.

This is comprehensible input (Stephen Krashen) made simple. By the third house, the reader can almost predict each line, and prediction is exactly how confidence and fluency grow. The learner enjoys the rhythm of the story while the English settles in naturally.

Who it is for

This edition is written for adults and older teens. The wolf is a real threat, the lesson — quick and easy versus slow and strong — speaks to grown-up life, and the art is detailed and lively. Danger is never graphic, so it works in class.

Because the plot is famous, this is one of the best first books in the series: knowing the story lets the reader focus on the language. The adaptation keeps the tale's rhythm, its humour and the tension of the chimney.

It suits self-learners who want an easy but substantial first book, and ESL/EFL teachers who need a complete, repetitive text for extensive reading or reading aloud at A1.

Compared with traditional graded readers

Penguin Readers, Oxford Bookworms and Cambridge English Readers offer respected adaptations across many levels, some with audio and teaching materials — a natural choice for a long course.

The Three Little Pigs stands out at the first level: a full-colour comic in which images carry the meaning, a story built on strong repetition, an adult tone and a Kindle eBook at US$2.99. It is the better choice for an adult beginner who wants to read a lot of English with little difficulty. Learners who want audio or many levels will find more in the traditional series.

Which edition to choose

The Kindle eBook (US$2.99) is instant and full colour on tablets and colour screens; it is in KDP Select, so Kindle Unlimited members read it at no extra cost. Available in 13 Amazon countries.

The paperback (US$6.99) is great for study and for reading aloud. Available in 14 Amazon countries.

The hardcover (US$24.99) is the durable edition for libraries, classrooms and gifts. Available in 11 Amazon countries.

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Read next

• Goldilocks and the Three Bears — another story built on the rule of three, with the smallest vocabulary in the series.
• Little Red Riding Hood — another hungry wolf with a clever plan.
• The Tortoise and the Hare — a second tale about slow, steady work winning over speed and pride.

Our recommendation

Yes. The Three Little Pigs by Abraão Paula is an excellent graded reader for an adult beginner learning English at CEFR A1. Part of the Comic Book Graded Readers series, this comic book graded reader retells the classic tale in 1,697 words and 317 headwords, with full-colour pictures on every story page that carry the meaning of each short sentence. The key reason: the story repeats its pattern three times, so a true beginner reads a lot of English, predicts each line and finishes a whole book with confidence.

Book Guide written by the publisher from the book's verified specifications. Prices shown are the list prices in the book's home store.