BOOK: LITTLE RED
AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR: BETHAN WOOLLVIN
PUBLISHER: TWO HOOTS
PAGES: 32
AGE RECOMMENDED: 4+
Growing up, we all loved fairy tales. Often the story was scary, or the woman needed some help to make things work for her. Betha Woollvin wrote these two books with a twist and there was no scary part or the characters can save themselves.
The little red riding story tells about a little girl who outsmarted the wolf and she saves herself and her granny. Little Red Riding Hood meets a wolf on her way through the woods to visit her sick grandmother. The wolf smells a tasty meal and tricks the girl and reaches the grandmother’s home ahead and gobbled her. But this Little Red Riding Hood isn’t easily fooled and a brave little girl seizes control of her own story. What do you think would have happened?
This is a beautiful read and the illustrations are gorgeous. Unlike the traditional tale where the girl was saved by a woodcutter, here the little girl thinks no wolf should harm any kid. This is a very thoughtful and insightful story and I liked this ending better than the traditional tale. This type of tale will empower any gender and any child can think they can be brave and can stand for themselves.
This book can also be interpreted to help a child stand against any bully and how they can be bold and save themselves. I look forward to reading more Bethan Woolvin books.
