According to the article “1st-Century
Roots of 'Little Red Riding Hood' Found,” Tehrani, a researcher, discovered “that
‘Little Red Riding Hood’ likely branched off 1,000 years ago from an ancestral
story that has its roots in the first century A.D.” Versions from ancient European oral
traditions, including one where the girl outwits the wolf by leaving to use the
bathroom, and “The Tiger Grandmother” (from Asia and Africa) are connected to
it. Tehrani discovered that the tale appears to have descended from the ancient
narrative "The Wolf and the Kids” (from Europe and the Middle East).
Why does this story
continue to be rewritten and recycled with each generation? Some have suggested it is because of the
universal themes, which center on venturing out into the adult world and
surviving varying degrees of dangerous situations. Authors continue to retell this story with
their own imaginative plot elements and creative twists. Here are just a few
modern retellings and fractured fairy tale versions:
Author: Joan Holub
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Publisher Summary: Once upon a time in pencil
school, a teacher named Ms. 2 told her class, “Today we’re going to write a
story.” “Yippee!” Said the birthday
pencil. “Slammin’!” said the basketball pencil. “Sharp!” said Little Red. So
begins a hilarious and exuberant retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood,” in
which a brave little red pencil finds her way through the many perils of
story-telling, faces a ravenous pencil sharpener (the Wolf 3000)…and saves the
day.
Why I Chose It: This book is ideal to begin an activity or unit on story
writing. Many elements of narrative
writing as well as the process of putting it together are depicted. There are
also many puns, multiple meaning words, and other fun word play that can be
discussed formally or informally. In some parts, where she is putting her story
together quickly—due to danger, there are run on sentences and choppiness. Another
instructional idea would be putting those parts up on an overhead and then
discussing where to add punctuation and transition words. Finally, the story ends with a strong
teachable moment. Red believes she is not brave because she was scared while
working to defeat the Wolf 3000.
Principal Granny says, “Even heroes get scared, but they do brave deeds
anyway.” There are so many layers in the text and illustrations that with every
reading you could focus on different area each time.
Author/Illustrator: Melissa
Sweet
Publisher Summary: “Don’t dilly dally,” said Carmine’s mother. “Go directly to
Granny’s.” And, as Carmine takes off on her bicycle with Rufus, it is just what
she intends to do. But Carmine is a dreamy painter, always in search of
capturing just the right hue in her drawing, and this drawing—the one she
begins in a lovely forest clearing just off the path to Granny’s—must be her
best yet.
Why I Chose It: One of the best parts of the book is the illustrations. In some of them are embedded subtle
references to other fairy tales and nursery rhymes like “Three Blind Mice,”
“The Three Pigs,” and “Little Jack Horner.” Sweet maximizes her story telling
opportunities with lots of action and activity on each two-page spread. Carmine’s
artistic, dreamy side gives the character an interesting dimension that many
will relate to. This version leaves out Red’s interaction with the wolf.
Instead, he communicates with her dog that tells him everything he needs to
know. Granny is simply pushed into a closet while the wolf steals the bones she
has laid out for soup. Another unusual
technique is the use of 26 key words—one for each letter of the alphabet—which
are incorporated into the narrative.
Many are common words. Some,
however, will be new to children. This idea could easily be incorporated in an
extension activity by providing children with words—focusing on vocabulary, a
part of speech, or random words—and allowing them to write their own version of
this or another tale.
Author:
Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
Publisher Summary: Little Red Hot loves red-hot chili peppers. She eats them for
breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When her grandmother catches a cold, Little Red
makes her a hot pepper pie that will “knock those cold germs right out of her!”
But before Little Red shares her pie with Grandma, she meets Senor Lobo—and
this pie comes in very handy when the wily wolf tires to trick her into
thinking he’s her grandmother.
Why I Chose It: Little Red Hot is one spunky character! This version is full of fun
exaggeration reminiscent of a tall tale. This version could be used to teach
hyperbole. Children can practice writing their exaggerations related to this
story or in a different one. Instead of the woodsman, Pecos Bill and his crew
make a cameo to warn her about Senor Lobo (the wolf) and again at the end. (Read
a Pecos Bill tale and/or teach about tall tales. Compare the characteristics to this book.) When
Red confronts Senor Lobo at Grandma’s house, she goes through the “what big”
encounter. One of the most memorable parts is when she says, “What big teeth
you got! Now don’t say another word, ‘cause I know what they are for.” She has
the perfect solution for him! The vivid and energetic illustrations compliment
this riotous ride!
Author:
Corey Rosen Schwartz
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Publisher Summary: This wolf just can’t catch a break!
Every since the three little pigs started teaching everyone Ninja
skills, huffing and puffing just hasn’t been enough to scare up a good meal. Wolf’s
craving for meat sends him to classes at the dojo, and soon he’s ready to try
out his new moves. A little girl and her granny should be easy targets—right?
Why I Chose It: The story is mostly told through the wolf’s perspective, rather than
Red’s. During their meeting at grandma’s house, he moves to eat her. However,
she whips off her cloak to reveal she has been training as a Ninja too! There
are several inventive twists as the narrative comes to a conclusion. The snappy
poetic verse format makes Ninja Red Riding Hood perfect for reading out loud.
The illustrations have an animated graphic novel look. Kids are sure to get a
kick out of this creative fractured fairy tale.
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Publisher Summary: Betsy is finally old enough to take cupcakes to Grandma all by
herself—with the company of her faithful sheep, of course. And although wolves aren’t good for grandmas,
Betsy lets her best friend, Zimmo, come along too. But will Zimmo’s wolfish instincts
make Grandma the tasty treat instead?
Why I Chose It: This fractured fairy tale takes some interesting turns. First, Betsy
is a shepherdess who has a wolf (Zimmo) helping her with her sheep. Keep in
mind that Zimmo has always been “good” to the sheep, but he (because he is a
wolf) is a threat to grandmas. When she
is sent with cupcakes to her Grandma’s house, Zimmo begs to go! She finally
agrees. Next, The sheep add a lot of humor. They often make silly comments on
their way, including comparing the eyes, arms, and teeth of grandma and wolf
and make mischief. Then, Zimmo runs ahead, causing Betsy to become concerned.
The ending is an original twist. Nash utilizes every surface for his lively
illustrations.
Author/Illustrator: Lisa Campbell Ernst
Good Reads Summary: It's the
story of the girl in the red hood--with an unpredictable plot twist. She pedals
over to Grandma's with a tasty treat a hungry wolf wants for himself. But, he
soon discovers that broad-shouldered, sharp-eyed, tractor-driving Grandma has
no patience for pesky predators.
Why I Chose It: The wolf is not interested in eating Little Red or Grandma. Instead, he wants her muffin recipe. When he
meets Grandma though, he is the one who is scared! The “what big” encounter is reversed. Grandma
is the hero of the story. She stands up to the wolf and, eventually, tames him.
Grandma’s muffin recipe is included. Make mini-muffins for the class or bake
together at home. Perhaps compare it to
another favorite recipe.
Author: Susan Lowell
Illustrator: Randy Cecil
Publisher Summary: Little Red Cowboy Hat has
saddled up her buckskin pony and is off to Grandma’s house with fresh bread and
a jar of cactus jelly. It’s rattler
season in the desert, but Little Red has more to worry about than snakes. A big
gray wolf in a tall black hat is lurking behind cactus, and he’s got a hankerin
for a Little-Red lunch. Getting ahold of
this cowgirl won’t be easy, though, because he’s got to get past Grandma first.
Why I Chose It: This version stays fairly close to the traditional tale in
structure, but the desert setting and colorful southern-style language set it
apart. The end also has a modern twist. Both Red and the Grandma are the ones
who chase off the wolf. The lesson at the end is “A girl’s gotta stick up for
herself.” Fun onomatopoeia throughout make for an opportunity to add some
dramatic flare and to encourage child participation.
Post Reading
- Pick two or more tales
with different characters who “save the day.”
Compare and contrast how the characters resolve the conflict. Which is most effective? How would you resolve it?
- Break the story up into
parts, like beginning, traveling to, arriving at Grandma’s house, and
resolution. Take different parts from two or more versions. Rewrite a new
tale. Can be done as a class, with a parent, with a peer-partner, or
independently.
- Rewrite the tale using a
new premise like being in space, in the future, on a boat, or some other
creative setting.
- Read a traditional version
(like Grimm’s) or multicultural one.
Compare and contrast with one of the modern versions.
Activities and Resources for Lesson Plans
