PAGES : In Any Language, the Wolf Loses

E l primer cochinito built his house out of straw. El segundo built his of sticks. But el tercer cochinito built his house of bricks. And el lobo malvado with all his huffing and puffing could not blow that house down.

This made the wolf so furioso! that he jumped into the chimney and burned right up. And el tercer cochinito vivio happily ever after.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Golden Books, Spanish style.

For the first time in the 80-year history of the classic children’s publisher, Golden Books are available nationally in Spanish.

“We have been working on this for years, proposing different tales to focus groups, searching for just the right translations,” says Kim McLynn of the Wisconsin-based Western Publishing Co.

The new line of 38 titles, including Golden’s popular board books and sound books, are in stores now. The books en espanol are priced the same as the English versions, starting at $1.69.

“Our philosophy has always been to put affordable quality books in the hands of all children who want them,” says McLynn.

Look for translations of such classic fairy tales as El Gato Con Botas (“Puss in Boots”), Caperucita Roja (“Little Red Riding Hood”), and, of course, Los Tres Cochinitos (“The Three Little Pigs”).