Review of "Mogo, the Third Warthog" by Donna Jo Napoli

This time, Donna Jo Napoli takes "The Three Little Pigs" and moves them to Africa where we meet Mogo the warthog and his two brothers, Mathani and Kebiro. Mogo is the runt of the litter and the dangers of the African savanna loom large as he and his brothers are forced out of their burrow to make room for their mother's next litter. Mogo's brothers are lazy and things don't look good for them. But Mogo is determined to survive. As he searches for food, he meets all kinds of animals - rhinos, ostriches, and more. While foraging, he makes a new friend - a young baboon who is also on his own.

It's a sweet story for young readers that teaches self-reliance and perseverence, while introducing them to the animals of Africa. Nicely illustrated by Lita Judge, it's easy to get enveloped in this children's story with all of the exotic sights and sounds of that fascinating part of the world.