Title: Little Red Riding Hood: A Newfangled Prairie Tale
Author/Illustrator: Ernst, Lisa Campbell
Publisher and Date: Scholastic, Inc., 1995
Genre: Picture Book, Traditional Tale
Age Range: K-2nd
Summary:
In this updated version of little red riding hood a young girl decides to take a basket full of fresh muffins and cold lemonade to her grandmother who lives just a short distance across the prairie. The young girl jumps on her bike all decked out in her red hoodie (which consequently gave her the name little red riding hood). Her mother gives her clear instructions as she rides off, “whatever you do, don’t talk to strangers.” Unfortunately little red riding hood, like the rest of us, was not always so good at following instructions. Along the way she runs into a hungry wolf who cleverly finds out where she and her tasty muffins are heading. The wolf races ahead of her, but he soon runs into trouble of his own. He expected to find a feeble old lady at the grandmother’s house and instead he faces strong, protective grandmother. She and little red riding hood share their muffins with the wolf, and the grandmother recruits him for her new muffin business. She keeps him very busy so he’ll no longer have time to make trouble. Everyday before little red riding hood leaves to help deliver muffins for her grandmother, the wolf yells out one piece of advice: “Don’t talk to strangers!” And believe me she never did again!
Response:
I really liked this version of little red riding hood. I liked that it was more contemporary than the original version. I think readers could relate very easily to little red riding while at the same enjoying the book for the folk tale that it is. The illustrations were one of my favorite parts of the book. Every picture was done in bright colors that filled both pages. The illustrations would be great for younger readers, because they followed along with the text so well. The characterization in this book was alsofantastic. I liked the fact that the wolf was not necessarily portrayed as evil in this version; he was not represented as something that young children now have to fear. Ernst was so smart when she wrote that the wolf was after the muffins rather than the little girl. I think that when children read the traditional story of little red riding hood they can be too frightened by the people eating wolf. I know that I personally was! In this story we have a villain who is slightly less harsh. The granmother was my other favorite character. She was so capable and creative! I think it is great that Ernst turned the words from the traditional tale around. Instead of the child saying these words to the wolf, he now says them to the grandmother: “M-m-my” he finally stuttered, “what big eyes you have grandma.” “All the better to see you, skulking around my fields!” grandma answered. This part of the story made me laugh out loud; it was such a change! This story also had a positive ending which I really loved. Instead of punishing the wolf the grandmother found something constructive for the wolf to do so that he would no longer “bully” anyone. This is an important lesson for everyone; sometimes all a person needs is a positive outlet for their behavior, not necessarily a punishment every time.
Teaching Ideas:
Author/Illustrator: Ernst, Lisa Campbell
Publisher and Date: Scholastic, Inc., 1995
Genre: Picture Book, Traditional Tale
Age Range: K-2nd
Summary:
In this updated version of little red riding hood a young girl decides to take a basket full of fresh muffins and cold lemonade to her grandmother who lives just a short distance across the prairie. The young girl jumps on her bike all decked out in her red hoodie (which consequently gave her the name little red riding hood). Her mother gives her clear instructions as she rides off, “whatever you do, don’t talk to strangers.” Unfortunately little red riding hood, like the rest of us, was not always so good at following instructions. Along the way she runs into a hungry wolf who cleverly finds out where she and her tasty muffins are heading. The wolf races ahead of her, but he soon runs into trouble of his own. He expected to find a feeble old lady at the grandmother’s house and instead he faces strong, protective grandmother. She and little red riding hood share their muffins with the wolf, and the grandmother recruits him for her new muffin business. She keeps him very busy so he’ll no longer have time to make trouble. Everyday before little red riding hood leaves to help deliver muffins for her grandmother, the wolf yells out one piece of advice: “Don’t talk to strangers!” And believe me she never did again!
Response:
I really liked this version of little red riding hood. I liked that it was more contemporary than the original version. I think readers could relate very easily to little red riding while at the same enjoying the book for the folk tale that it is. The illustrations were one of my favorite parts of the book. Every picture was done in bright colors that filled both pages. The illustrations would be great for younger readers, because they followed along with the text so well. The characterization in this book was alsofantastic. I liked the fact that the wolf was not necessarily portrayed as evil in this version; he was not represented as something that young children now have to fear. Ernst was so smart when she wrote that the wolf was after the muffins rather than the little girl. I think that when children read the traditional story of little red riding hood they can be too frightened by the people eating wolf. I know that I personally was! In this story we have a villain who is slightly less harsh. The granmother was my other favorite character. She was so capable and creative! I think it is great that Ernst turned the words from the traditional tale around. Instead of the child saying these words to the wolf, he now says them to the grandmother: “M-m-my” he finally stuttered, “what big eyes you have grandma.” “All the better to see you, skulking around my fields!” grandma answered. This part of the story made me laugh out loud; it was such a change! This story also had a positive ending which I really loved. Instead of punishing the wolf the grandmother found something constructive for the wolf to do so that he would no longer “bully” anyone. This is an important lesson for everyone; sometimes all a person needs is a positive outlet for their behavior, not necessarily a punishment every time.
Teaching Ideas:
This would be a great book to use in a folk tales unit. You could easily compare and contrast this version of little red riding hood to the countless other versions out there. I would also be sure to point out to students the value in the words “don’t talk to strangers!” and of listening their parents. Oh yes! Don't forget about the recipe on the last page of the book! it would be so neat to have those muffins for the class to eat aftet the story. It would really bring the story to life, don't you think?
check out this great lesson plan from readwritethink.org for more teaching ideas!
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